Japanese towels

IMABARI TOWELS

Towels play an important role in Japanese culture. From o-shibori – hot towels for hands offered to guests before meals, to sentō – traditional towels used in Japanese baths. Therefore, it is no surprise that Japan is home to some of the best towel manufacturers in the world – Imabari, a small city in the south of the country, is a leader in this field in terms of quality and design. In addition to incredibly strict quality standards, there are 4 features that make Imabari towels some of the best in the world.

History

Towels have been made in the city of Imabari for over 120 years. 60% of all Japanese towels are produced in Imabari, which prides itself on its traditional manufacturing methods and centuries-old craftsmanship. Imabari towels are of such high quality that they are exhibited at design exhibitions around the world, including London’s 100% Design in 2014.

Soft Water

Soft water is very important in the production of towels, and in the city of Imabari, there is exceptionally clean mountain water that is almost completely free of heavy metals. It creates additional softness in the towels produced in this region. The quality and purity of the water also means that perfect whiteness is achieved without the use of harsh bleaching agents.

Absorbency

Imabari towels have an astonishingly high absorbency rate. This is tested by placing the towel in a bath of water. If the towel does not sink within 5 seconds (which is an extremely short time), it fails the absorbency test.

Pure and Natural Colors

The colors of the logo – red, white, and blue – represent the natural environment surrounding the city – the sun, sea, sky, and water. “Naturalness” is the most important principle for Imabari towel manufacturers, who do not complicate the product with bright colors or patterns.

IMABARI TOWELS                                          

• Imabari towel manufacturers are strictly prohibited from using formaldehyde in the manufacturing process;
• Only soft, clean mountain water with a low amount of heavy metals is used in production;
• Top quality is achieved by using exceptionally long cotton threads – Suprima;
• The cotton is specially twisted and has a 3D weave, which gives it extraordinary softness, strength, and color intensity;
• A special treatment of the fabric preserves its quality and color even after multiple washes.