Setsubun Tenugui, Chusen Hand-Dyed (2 Designs) | JIKAN STYLE

Drive out the demons, welcome good luck

Setsubun, in early February, marks the day before spring in the old Japanese calendar. Families throw roasted soybeans while calling “Demons out, good luck in!” to chase away misfortune for the year ahead. These hand-dyed tenugui capture the fun of the festival:

• Demon Chase: red and blue demons being sent on their way.
• Lucky Bean Throwing: the bean-throwing ritual with Otafuku, the smiling goddess of good fortune.

Tenugui are first a piece of seasonal art: hang one on the wall and change it with the seasons, then use it as a towel, wrap or handkerchief.

Hand-dyed with the chusen technique

Chusen is a traditional Japanese hand-dyeing technique in which dye is poured through layers of folded cloth. It creates soft, blurred colour edges that only handwork can achieve, and because the dye passes right through the fabric, the design looks the same on both sides.

About JIKAN STYLE

JIKAN STYLE is the original brand launched in 2005 by Miyamoto, a textile company. Its designs draw on Japan’s seasons, customs and lucky charms, made with playfulness and care in quantities small enough for the company to oversee every piece.

Specifications

• Size: approx. 35 × 90 cm (13.8 × 35.4 in)
• Material: cotton 100%
• Dyeing: chusen (hand-dyed)
• Made in Japan

Care

• Some colour may run at first. Hand wash separately in lukewarm water for the first 2–3 washes.
• Squeeze gently, smooth out the creases and dry in the shade.
• The ends are left unhemmed so the cloth dries quickly and stays hygienic. They will fray a little at first; simply trim the loose threads and the fraying soon stops.
• With use, the colours gently fade and the cotton becomes softer, part of the charm of chusen-dyed cloth.