36” x 13 ½” / 91.2 x 34 cm
Tokyo

The company Tokyo Wazarashi was established in 1889 in Tokyo. Since then they have been making sarashi, traditional Japanese bleached cotton, and other cotton materials. After the Second World War many such manufacturers of traditional cottons closed down as western fashion took over but Tokyo Wazarashi survived and became one of the historical makers of sarashi. Tenugui, the Japanese traditional hand towel found in every Japanese home, is made of sarashi. During the Heian period (806-1190) tenugui was first used as a personal ornament for religious services. During the Kamakura period (1190 -1329) its popularity grew and in the Edo period (1615-1868) it became a necessity in the home. It is somewhat of a joke how many uses the tenugui have, from headcloth to dishtowel. If you look around while you are in Japan you will find it has infiltrated its way into almost every use. We think they are the perfect table napkins. Asanoha, the hemp pattern, is the most traditional pattern from the Edo period.