Imabari Towel: Hand and Bath Towels from Japan

 

The tenugui towel for a visit to the bathhouse, the damp oshibori towel for washing your hands before eating in a restaurant, or the small hankachi handkerchief for wiping sweat from your forehead on a hot summer's day: The handkerchief is ubiquitous in Japan. No wonder, then, that the island nation has a high-quality handkerchief industry. Its centre is the town of Imabari in Ehime Prefecture on Japan's smallest main island, Shikoku. 200 factories have settled here, where cloth is twisted, dyed, bleached and manufactured. Some have been in business for over 120 years. The warm climate and clean, soft water provide the best conditions for excellent quality. Softness, bright colours and, above all, high absorbency are the hallmarks of the region's cotton products. In Japan, Imabari is even synonymous with high quality fabrics. This excellent reputation is protected by the "Imabari Towel" quality seal, which guarantees flawless and correct production.

Sato has been offering Imabari hand and bath towels for many years. The range also includes a special production of towels made not only from cotton, but also from fibres of soft Washi paper from the historic city of Mino in Gifu Prefecture. This unique combination creates a pleasantly stimulating effect on the skin, similar to a massage.

 
Tags : Bath, Crafts, Living