AZUMA Water-Repellent Azuma Bag 65cm | ASAKURA SENPU

AZUMA Super Water-Repellent Azuma Bag: A Traditional Japanese Bag That Shrugs Off Rain

Why you'll love it

• Super water-repellent: protects your shopping from sudden rain and repels stains
• Lasts: keeps its water repellency even after 100 washes
• Breathable and quick-drying: each thread is treated, not coated with plastic
• Light and compact: about 105 g (3.7 oz) and folds small enough to carry every day
• Size: approx. 65 × 65 cm (25.6 × 25.6 in) laid flat
• Made in Kiryu, Japan by Asakura Senpu, maker of NAGARE furoshiki

Made by Asakura Senpu in Kiryu, Gunma

AZUMA is made by Asakura Senpu, a dyeing company in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, a city long known for its textiles, and the maker of the super water-repellent furoshiki brand NAGARE. They have reborn traditional Japanese cloth goods with modern technology and design, aiming for a new and beautiful way of living. Read our interview with Asakura Senpu.

Keeps Your Things Dry in a Sudden Shower

Use it as an eco bag for a quick trip to the shops, and you no longer need to worry when it starts to rain. The super water-repellent fabric keeps your belongings dry on the way home.

Machine Washable – Repellency That Lasts 100 Washes

When it gets dirty, simply put it in the washing machine. The dewelry® super water-repellent finish is highly durable and keeps repelling water even after 100 washes. (Please do not use bleach, as it weakens the water repellency.)

Water-Repellent, Not Waterproof – and Why That Matters

A waterproof coating covers the whole fabric, filling the gaps between the fibers, so it loses breathability and its soft feel. A water-repellent finish treats each individual thread instead, so the fabric sheds water that is not under strong pressure while staying breathable.

As long as you do not squeeze it, you can even carry water in it like a bucket – handy outdoors or as part of an emergency kit. And because it breathes, it dries quickly after washing.

What Is an Azuma Bag?

In the Edo period, as Western culture reached Japan, people who admired Western bags began sewing furoshiki and tenugui cloths together to make bags of their own. This is said to be the origin of the azuma-bukuro. "Azuma" refers to the people of Edo (old Tokyo), and the name means "a bag full of the wisdom of the people of Edo." Today it makes a thoughtful little gift to say thank you to someone close to you.

Designs

• Check Peach
• Vase Orange
• Flower Lavender
• Houndstooth Blue
• Solid Moegi Green
• Solid Pear Yellow
• Camellia Red
• Camellia Black

Care Instructions

• Machine washable with ordinary detergent.
• Do not use bleach (it degrades the water repellency) or fabric softener (it absorbs water and can block the water-repellent effect).
• If fabric softener was used by mistake: rinse in water or lukewarm water for about 10 minutes, then spin-dry, dry (sun or tumble), and iron at medium temperature (about 160°C / 320°F) to restore the repellency.
• Oil and dirt reduce the water repellency – if the bag gets oily or dirty, please wash it.
• Do not put sharp objects, liquids or very heavy items inside, as they may damage the bag.
• Keep away from fire, and avoid long exposure to direct sunlight, which may cause discoloration or deformation.

Specifications

• Size: approx. 65 × 65 cm (25.6 × 25.6 in), laid flat
• Weight: approx. 105 g (3.7 oz)
• Finish: Super water-repellent (dewelry®)
• Designs: 8 (see options)
• Made by: Asakura Senpu, Kiryu, Gunma, Japan

FAQ

Can I machine-wash it?
Yes. Use regular detergent and avoid bleach and fabric softener. The water repellency lasts even after 100 washes.

Is it waterproof?
It is super water-repellent, not coated, so it stays breathable and dries quickly. Water under strong pressure (such as when squeezed) can pass through.

How big is it, and what fits inside?
Laid flat it is about 65 × 65 cm (25.6 × 25.6 in). It holds everyday shopping such as drinks, vegetables or a lunch box, and folds down to palm size when not in use.

Is there a larger cloth for wrapping?
Yes – the NAGARE Water-Repellent Furoshiki 96cm from the same maker can be tied into a bag or used to wrap gifts. See also our guide: How to Wrap a Furoshiki.

The size may vary slightly. Colors may look slightly different from the actual product depending on your screen.