Tenugui

See Bottom For Where to Buy

Bandanas and hardware stores go hand-in-hand, or hand-in-back-pocket if I may, and Tenuguis are the Japanese equivalent to the bandana. These ubiquitous, utilitarian textiles are offered in a delectable spread of colors and patterns that are inspired by the country’s deep archive of traditional textiles produced over the last two millennia. 

Yes, your hunch was correct, they are worn tied around the foreheads of sushi chefs and kendo grapplers, but they are also frequently used by parents tending to the eternal trickle of toddler fluids, and by commuters after dutifully washing their hands, and also folded neatly under utensils and also cleverly tied around gifts of all sizes. 

Tenuguis vary in their quality depending on the intensity of labor involved in the printer’s technique.  More expensive ones are produced with hand cut paper stencils, dye-resistant rice paste and fabric dyes. This method produces a cloth of vivid color that is dyed all the way through such that you can not tell which side is the front or back .

Regardless of the printing method, the hallmark of the tenugui is its long rectangular shape and smooth seamless handfeel: the base cloth is always a 13” wide, woven selvedge fabric with unhemmed ends. With just a few washes, they become incredibly soft and fray gently at the ends. 

Tenuguis were hard to come by in the states a  few years ago. The best place to find them was at Japanese bookstores and hardware stores; I had great luck at the marvelous Kinokuniya bookstore in San Francisco.

Now that we can bask in the luxury of having them shipped to our doors, I am about to send you down an immensely satisfying rabbit hole: 

Kamawanu has, in my opinion, the most beautiful and playful range of tenuguis. Their stores in Japan are small but beautifully merchandised: a feast for the eyes! They now have a great online shop.

Tortoise General Store in LA has an exquisite collection of Japanese crafts and home goods and a top notch selection of Tenuguis as well. 

Kirko a Portland Orergon based store, also carries a great selection of tenuguis along with a very fine selection Japanese clothing, stationary and home goods.