I have to admit something. Sometimes when I use Japanese words to describe products I have a bit of imposter syndrome. Obviously I am not Japanese but it should be clear that I am very fond of Japanese culture. There are lots of products in the shop from Japan. Some of them do have labels in English describing what they are but some only have the product name written in some form of Japanese language characters. When I can translate them easily I do to make it easier for folks to understand what they are looking at. But often there truly is no translation that truly captures the feeling or sentiment of the Japanese word. Sometimes the Japanese word perfectly captures the qualities that make the product special.
Take this little notepad for instance. This notepad by Paper Message is called Amayadori. The translation for that word is "Shelter from the rain". See how in English we have to use four words to describe this idea of taking shelter from the rain but in Japanese it's just one word.
Tsumugu Handkerchiefs by Nukumori Koubou are another example of how one simple word in Japanese carries a greater meaning. "Tsumugu" (紡ぐ) is a Japanese term meaning to "spin" or "weave" (such as thread or yarn), often metaphorically representing the weaving together of stories, lives, or relationships. This word is used by Nukumori Koubou to describe the cotton used for their handkerchiefs.
In the words of Nukumori Koubou "Enshu Cotton Tsumugi is a soft, airy fabric that develops a pleasant texture with use, becoming more airy and comfortable against the skin. This texture is the result of slow, careful weaving on traditional shuttle looms. We believe it has a gentle, enveloping quality that sets it apart from the dense fabrics woven on modern, mass-produced automatic looms."
These wonderful and very practical handkerchiefs are made in the Enshu region of Japan, home to Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture. This area is blessed with a warm climate (sounds nice about right now) and abundant nature, making it ideal for cotton cultivation. In fact is has flourished since the Edo period as one of the three major cotton-producing regions. Then, in the Meiji period (generally considered to be from 1860's to 1910's), the advent of power looms led to the creation of two motor corporations that began to use machines for weaving.
Nukumori Kobo is committed to preserving and preserving the traditional methods of Enshu Cotton Tsumugu. Enshu Cotton Tsumugu is highly durable and has supported people's lives as everyday clothing. We hope that it will be a fabric that weaves the passion of artisans, connects with people's lives, and weaves the future.
So you see they use this word tsumugu to describe not only the process of the physical weaving but also the manner in which they approach the making of this humble product. There is a statement on their website: "I weave with the same feeling as if I were giving my daughter away to marry. 'I hope she will be cherished by her new family and that she will be made into something wonderful. This cloth is woven with the feeling of 'sending my daughter off to marry.' These are the words of the weaver." It gives you a sense that there is more behind the handkerchief than just the weaving of threads on a loom.
The colorful patterns featured in these product are born from honoring the four seasons of Hamamatsu. One of the characteristics of Enshu cotton tsumugu is its various stripes. Stripes are quite common in Japanese design and are said to have spread throughout the country during the Edo period. Evoking the four seasons through color and textured nap and slub yarns as the warp and weft threads is what gives the fabric a unique look. This pattern above is referred to as "Fuji at Night".
Nukumori Koubou continues to treasures the "Japanese stripes" that have been nurtured within Japanese culture and use them to inspire their weaving work.
I found this image above on the Nukumori Koubou website and it perfectly illustrates the truth that the more you use it, the softer the texture will be, and the more you'll love it. The handkerchief on the left has been washed over 10 times, while the one on the right is brand new. As you can see, Enshu Cotton Tsumugi becomes thicker and fuller with use. This is because, unlike mass-produced fabrics, the fabric is woven carefully on an old-fashioned shuttle loom, which incorporates air into the fabric. While high-speed looms produce high-density threads with a strong twist, Enshu Cotton Tsumugi is woven with time and gentleness. This slow process (so slow that it results in only enough fabric for two kimonos per day) results in a product that loosens the twist nicely with each wash, allowing air to enter and resulting in a soft feel against your skin. Like well-worn denim, it will develop a unique look and feel over time. And like your favorite pair of jeans this handkerchief will become your go to hankie.
If you want to see more of the process that each thread goes through before becoming this handy little piece of cloth check out this video: The Process of Making Enshu Cotton.
I discovered these handkerchiefs in Japan last year during our visit and I was very happy when I saw them. I could tell. instantly the quality was superb and without even knowing the depth of the story I could tell I had stumbled upon something special. I have been very pleased that you all share my feelings as they have done very well in the shop. We recently restocked after having them in the shop for only two months. When ordering I was confronted with the reality of the slow and careful process of making them when I ordered as they were low on stock. Something that can happen when you aren't forcing mass production of an item. I believe they are well worth the wait.
One of my favorite Japanese words I learned this past year from watching the movie Perfect Days is komorebi. Have you seen this movie? It's quite wonderful and slow like the making of this cloth we have been exploring today. Komorebi is a Japanese word for sunlight filtering through leaves. It is a beautiful term that captures the dappled light and dancing shadows created as sun rays pass through tree foliage. Something we may not be seeing a lot of these days but before you know it we will be enjoying the summer breeze and the sensation that this word captures perfectly.