History of Tenugui:

Originally used as accessories in Shinto rituals, tenugui (dyed cotton cloth) gained popularity into the Edo period (1592-1868) of Japan and became an item necessary for daily life. In the Meiji period (1868-1912,) a dyeing technique called “Chusen” was devised, and revolutionized the industry. Nowadays, tenugui are viewed not only for their usefulness in daily life, but also for their artistic properties; there are a variety of colors and patterns of tenugui, and as many ways to use them as you can imagine.