An EVERYDAY tool, from traditional times to today

Versatile and practical, a tool for your everyday. Tenugui do not have a singular purpose; think of them as a partner in your day. Enjoy as a hand towel, personal ware, interior design, business card, wrapping, kitchen tool and beyond. Reusable tenugui is a gift from Japan’s cultural past aligned with today’s values. A much loved life cycle of re-purpose as your tenugui softens and dyes naturally fade through repeated use and subsequent washing.

CRAFT - Preserving the handmade

Tenugui is a standard length of cotton cloth, whose approximate measurements of 30 cm in width and 90 cm in length, take cues from the human body, the distance from your elbow to the end of one’s hand. The side length displays a selvedge edge while the shorter ends remain unfinished, a product of their production as the tenugui is cut from a large roll of cotton. Traditional hand dyed techniques are used to create both traditional and contemporary patterns and colours.

How to use Tenugui

Here are a few ways we like to utilise our best friend tenugui.

Day to day at CIBI

Kato-San of Kamawanu believes that tenugui are a communication tool between
people, the different fabrics and patterns providing a conversation starter to its rich history in Japanese culture. We love how this simple fabric has become woven into cultural history as a simple tool that be used as part of everyday life.

At CIBI, we try to demonstrate how tenugui can be incorporated and merge into our every day lives. It brings texture, colour and something additional to enjoyment of design, food and space.

My hot tip on Tenugui - is that it simply can be a part of everyday life!
You might use one at kitchen as a table wipe, wrapping your lunch box, or wear it as a scarf on your journey to work and play.

Let this little fabric be part of your daily rituals and enjoy your favourite piece.

Zenta Tanaka
CIBI

the happiest tenugui in the world

the happiest tenugui in the world exhibition arrives in Melbourne

following an inspiring spring season in CIBI Tokyo and CIBI corner store Kitasando.

a humble cotton cloth, tenugui is part of Japan’s rich textile tradition and a much loved everyday tool in our CIBI lifestyle.

simple, timeless, versatile, functional, reusable, affordable, wearable & beautiful

Thu 10 Sep - Tue 3 Nov