HOT ! 〈Shin-Edo Dyes〉 Tenugui Hand Towels Echappées Bleues

Founded in 1899 in the Nihonbashi district, Tokyo, Marukyu Shouten is a wholesaler of ‘Chusen’ products. Chusen is a unique Japanese stencil dyeing technique that originated in the Meiji era. At the time, Chusen was very much part of people\'s lives, mainly used for Yukata (a lightweight kimono typically made of cotton) and Tenugui hand towels.

The main feature of Chusen is that the dye is poured from above onto layered fabrics, so there is no front or back to the dyed fabric. In Tokyo, Chusen has been recognized as a traditional industry, and craftsmen still manually apply the patterns to the fabric and dye it by hand. Because it is handmade, even if the dyed results look the same at first glance, each piece has a different expression and texture. This element of \"fluctuation\" and \"playfulness\" is the one of the very appealing aspects of Chusen. The dyed patterns also have a unique softness that is not found in printed products.

Meiji Era Stencil Dyeing Meets Parisian Designers

Echappées Bleues is a collection born from the encounter between the designer Pauline Androlus and Marukyu Shouten as part of the \"Edo Tokyo Kirari Project,\" which connects Parisian designers with Japanese craft ateliers and companies.Pauline Androlus, a French product designer, focuses on human-centric design, skillfully integrating materials and techniques. In this collection, we present a series of Tenugui hand towels adorned with expressive colors and patterns.The collection features four designs: \"Crépuscule (Twilight),\" \"Songe (Dream),\" \"Quiétude (Serenity),\" and \"Maintenant (Now).\" Each hand towel resembles an abstract artwork, surpassing the conventional concept of tenugui, with its blue gradations and white fabric weaving.Stunning Gradations from Traditional Dyeing Techniques

The Tenugui hand towels are inspired by the windows and shoji screens of Japanese architecture.  A symbol of serenity and Japan, the Tenugui’s blue color draws the viewer into a state of meditation and reverie, evoking a sense of pleasant tranquility.  The Tenugui hand towels are crafted from kōbai cotton, the preferred yukata fabric due to its translucency, allowing one to admire its weave and elegant delicacy.The unique dyeing technique (‘Bokashi’) of Chusen allows for magnificent gradations, making each piece a one-of-a-kind creation handcrafted by artisans.

 

SizeWidth: Approximately 38 cmLength: Approximately 108 cm

 

Material100% cotton, Kōbai fabric

 

Care Instructions

• Machine washable at home. Hand wash or wash separately in a laundry net on a gentle cycle. After spinning, dry in the shade. Avoid tumble drying as it may cause shrinkage.


• While we strive to photograph the colors as accurately as possible, please note that there may be differences between the images and the actual product color.


• Due to the nature of fabric dyeing, the color may transfer through sweat or friction when first used. Please be cautious.


• When washing, separate from other items and hand wash.


• Please note that there may be slight variations in dimensions, dyeing irregularities, and pattern distortions.