Kyoto is known the mecca of Tradition in Japan, and his home to plenty of hundreds (and even over 1000) year old craft studios and shops. You can find the highest quality fabrics, linens, kimonos and other famous Japanese textiles there. But if highest quality towel you could imagine is the craft you are after, then Kyoto is not the place to look. Imabari Towels are a secret kept outside of the legendary city…
On the small island of Shikoku in the lesser-known Ehime prefecture lies the city of Imabari. Blessed with a mild climate and abundant soft water, this town is where you want to head. Imabari is the cotton capital of Japan with a number of superior products including scarves and mufflers, but most notably, towels. With the first workshop dedicated to towels popping up in Imabari in 1894, the town is now responsible for crafting over 60% of Japan’s towels and is the largest towel producer in the world!
A Brief History of Towels in Japan
Towels were introduced to the country in 1872. Just eight short years later in 1880, the country discovered how to weave the piles (the string loop textured bit of a towel) with a handloom in Osaka. Fast forward another 7 years and the weaving method known as “Terry Motion” was invented (also in Osaka) that was the first major step towards the now-famous Japanese towels.
In 1894 the first towel was produced in Imabari using a cotton flannel machine. In 1910, the “battan” was invented, a loom that could weave two rows of towels at a time. All this led up to 1924 with the invention of the Imabari towel that is world-famous today. Crafting using a high-quality unique method of weaving called Jacquard weaving, patterns are woven directly onto the fabric giving them a three-dimensional look.
Characteristics and Charms of Imabari Towels
The most notable characteristic of Imabari towels is the absorbability. The towels have to pass a rigorous 12-point test in order to be certified Imabari towels and receive the official seal. The absorbability test is also known as the “5-second Rule” as the towel must be able to absorb water in under five seconds and still feel dry and cozy afterwards. A neat byproduct of this is that the towels will also sink within five seconds of being placed in water.
The end result of these tests is a towel that is extremely soft, cozy, and comfortable on the skin. Being made with high-quality cotton that is not hard-twisted is another part of the test that gives greatest benefit to the softness of the towel. They remain soft and sturdy even after being used and washed countless times.
Color dyes for the towels are made from the exceptionally soft waters in the area meaning the color will not fade easily. Soft underground water is sourced from the nearby Soja River and Mt. Ishizushi which contains much less heavy metals than ordinary water. It is gentle on textiles and leaves them even softer after dyeing.
How to Recognize an Imabari Towel
The first thing to look for is the official seal. The red, white, and blue seal is administered by the Shikoku Towel Association for towels that pass the 12-point test. The second thing to notice is the softness and fluffiness of the towel. The quality of the craftsmanship should stand out from the moment you touch it!
Check out our selection of Imabari Towels and scarves sourced from IORI in Ehime Japan or see our Index of Japanese Crafts to learn more about your favorite Japanese crafts.
