I don't think I will every forget the moment I encountered my first Imabari towel. My husband and I were traveling in Japan for the first time and we wanted to visit some parts of Japan that weren't as popular with foreign tourists. We decided to visit the island of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's main islands and home to the famous Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs dating back 1,000 years. The Dogo Onsen building itself was the inspiration for the bathhouse in the movie Spirited Away. Walking through the narrow halls and stairs of this building one immediately understands why.
One afternoon we were wondering through a typical shopping center when we happened upon the I-ori shop, home of the most beautiful towels I had ever seen in my life. I knew before I even walked in that I was going to spend some money in this shop. The hardest part was deciding which beautiful towel to pick from all of the options. In all honesty, at the time I did not even stop to think about the story behind the towels. It wasn't until I did further research several years later that I learned how significant these towels are not only to Japan but specifically to the Ehime Prefecture. Ehime is the home of Imabari city and it's abundance of soft subsoil water perfect for making the softest, most luxurious towels you will ever experience. It is in fact home to the largest cotton towel production industry in Japan. In case you are wondering, I came home with the Mikan in white face towel and the Tsubaki in red mini towel.
Since this first encounter I have seen many other Imabari towels but none so elegant and unique as those created by I-ori. This brand has taken the Imabari towel to another level with their festive colors and intricate designs woven into the terrycloth.
As with other favorites in the shop these towels are also a product that comes with a story. Take the Mikan design for instance. The mikan is a mandarin orange that is cherished in Ehime, with over a century of cultivation and appreciation. Ehime produces over 200,000 tons of mikan annually, encompassing more than 40 varieties. The abundance of this citrus is woven into the cultural fabric of the region and celebrated on the image of this lovely towel. However this fruit is enjoyed in Ehime it represents the region's rich agricultural traditions and the warmth of its community.
As mentioned above, this was my top pick of towel on that first visit to I-ori and it remains my favorite hand towel to this day, seven years later, showing only slight wear around the edges and looking and feeling just as soft and vibrant as ever.
Pink Moon Goods is honored to be the only place outside of Japan where you can buy I-ori towels. We do our best to create competitive pricing so that folks living in the United States can purchase for similar prices without paying the high cost of shipping while making a small profit.
In the words of I-ori, "We believe you and your loved ones deserve the very best for the items you use most. That’s why we create towels that combine safety, reliability, and comfort. Experience the finest Japanese craftsmanship and elevate the everyday with towels designed to last."
Sometimes folks in the shop ask me if the towels are worth the hype and all I can say is that I have never had someone bring one back and tell me they didn't like it. In fact, what usually happens is that a customer purchases one as a gift and then they return shortly afterwards to bring one home for themselves. It seems we are sometimes better at giving to others than to ourselves.
If you are looking for a unique, decadent gift for yourself or someone else you really can't go wrong. From the mini towel to the bath towel these are sure to please anyone and bring endless amounts of joy. Towels don't have to just be functional. They can be beautiful as well. I-ori has made sure of that!