Japanese towel waffle texture

The Japanese textile manufacturer Murakami Pile weaves these prime towels. They prove functional in two respects: Firstly, they show a waffle-piqué-like weave. Thanks to the en bas relief, the cloth’s large surface area dries quickly. Plus, when you dry yourself off, it offers a light massaging effect. In contrast to a waffle piqué, the waffle structure designed to our requirements has a higher thread density, thus providing an even larger surface area and a more lively appearance. Secondly – and unusual in European bathing culture – the Japanese add charcoal particles to the viscose fibres (14%) during spinning. The yarn portion with charcoal gives the fabric its grey-white mottled colour. What’s more, the charcoal has an odour-absorbing effect – properties that make these towels ideal for use in the bathroom. The towels come with a fabric weight of 254 g/m²; relatively light, they are particularly convenient, for example in the summer or when you are travelling. The cotton derives from controlled organic cultivation.

60% of towels in Japan are made in the Japanese town of Imabari, in Ehime Prefecture, in the north of Shikoku Island. There are 4,000 looms per less than 160,000 inhabitants here, including over 120 companies that are allowed to produce towels under the "Imabari Towel" quality label. The water used for bleaching the textiles comes from underground flowing springs that are particularly low in lime and heavy metals, especially from the Sōja River - a circumstance that has indirectly promoted the concentration of companies producing bathroom textiles. The use of the soft water makes the towels particularly pliable and at the same time allows dyes to penetrate deep into the textile fibers. The result: exceptionally soft and intensely colored linens. It has always been a tradition in the region around Imabari to support pilgrims who are on the 1,200 km long Shikoku pilgrimage route (one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage routes) with food, money, but also just towels on their journey - and this hospitality should also be reflected in the texture of the textiles produced here.

One of the mandatory quality criteria for "Imabari Towels" concerns the ability to absorb water: a 1 × 1 cm piece of the fabric must be able to sink to the bottom in the water within five seconds - an indication that the towel is able to absorb water and also other liquids without prior washing. Accordingly, Imabari Towels are characterized by absorbing moisture extremely quickly.