MiyamotoJapanese Traditional Towel "Tenugui" Small Pattern 5 type set Basic pattern-3

I wanted cotton hankies or something to line my exceedingly warm and uncomfortable post shoulder surgery sling that I wish I could throw at the wall but that might delay my recovery. I initially bought "100% cotton" handkerchiefs on AMZ but these ended up being cotton/polyester from China, were not in the advertised dimensions and absolutely not at all absorbent which annoyed the heck out of me. I threw THOSE back at AMZ for a refund. The "100% cotton" hankies reminded me of scarves I was haggling to buy in Shanghai where the clerks said they were "100% silk" while pointing to the tag that said "100% silk feeling polyester".However, these ARE 100% cotton and you will not be duped as they are very absorbent. They're perfect for my needs and even the fraying doesn't annoy me. Yes folks, these fray. They are supposed to fray. That is the way traditional tenugui towels are made - large bolts of cloth on rollers, dyed, and then cut. There are selvages on either side but the ends are not hemmed. By not hemming the ends they dry faster - in about 10-15 minutes on the line. So don't get them if fraying bugs you. They are perfect for lots of things: using them to dry my hands when bathrooms only have air dryers that are circulating those lovely fecal contaminants all over your hands; wiping the sweat off my neck and brow in this 96 degree hot and humid weather; lining my mangled arm in the ultra padded shoulder sling to soak up the sweat; using in the kitchen for just about anything; or wrapping around my head while I work one armed in the garden. There are no doubt a multitude of other uses I haven't discovered yet. I like them a lot and I like the cute traditional Japanese designs.

Despite the Japanese intent of using these with raw edges, I felt I would be happier in the long run with a stabilized or hemmed edge. The first thing I did was to run a line of stitching just inside the raw edges with my sewing machine; then I ran all of the cloths through the washer and dryer on mild settings. I then ironed and stacked them to ponder my next move.They came out very nice and soft. Right now, I am using them as impromptu napkins for snacks and casual dining. Though a bit large, they also work as handkerchiefs. I will continue to use them for this purpose and see what other things they can be used for. I love the patterns on the fabric. and the swimming fish in particular bring me joy.

My expectations were far more than what received. They are just strips if cloth cut off a roll it seems. No hemming on ends which will lead to fraying. Not what I expected from a Japanese product. Only quality seemed to be the packaging. Disappointing.

Lovely fabrics! I have ordered these before, and they are pristine and beautifully packaged, although the shipping does take a month, as they come from Japan. I hem the ends to prevent fraying, and they serve very well as a runner for my kitchen island, or to line bread baskets, or to use as covers for my counter top appliances. Wash and iron well.

This is crazy but all the tenugui I received matched perfectly with the patterns in the picture.

Disappointed that the edges were not hemmed, thus after washing, it frays on the ends.

Unhemmed rectangles of pretty cotton fabric - better to go to fabric store where it is 1/4 the cost

Good Wear

汗をかくので、タオルだと首に巻くとモサモサするので、手拭いを購入しました。紺色地は色落ちするかと思いましたが、他の物と洗濯しても色落ちしませんでした。洗濯する時のどうでもいいアドバイスとして。手拭いを六折ににして、洗濯ネットに入れて洗濯すると、干す時にしっかりパンパンと広げて干せば、アイロン要らずです。手拭いは日本人の知恵ですね！

首を痛めサポーターをする事になったので手拭いを巻きサポーターをつけるために購入しました。色・柄ともに可愛くとても気に入っていますが、少し硬いものもありました。首周りに使用してるので少し硬いと思うものもありました。

値段の割に、まあまあちゃんとしていて、柄も良く、外国人へのお土産に購入しましたが、好評でした。

石巻市にデンマークの大学生３０人あまりが来て、復興の状態を調査しました。滞在したフタバ・インでみんなに差し上げました。男女いろいろだったので分けるのが難しかったかも。

最初は切りっぱなしの端が気になってましたが、手拭いの肌触りや、汗の吸収や速乾性など、使うほどに気にいってきました。首に巻いても、背中にいれても、暑く感じないのがいいと思います。