SOU・SOU × Fujitasenen Ainasen Handkerchief（Short）/ Polka Dots

What is “Kyoto Ainasen”?
Japanese people have been familiar with wearing indigo-dyed items since the Edo period. In the early Meiji era, indigo was also referred to as “Japan Blue,” becoming one of the colors that symbolize Japan. While indigo dyeing is typically done by immersion, “Ainasen” is a world-first dyeing technique developed by Fujita Sennen, in which patterns are hand-printed using natural indigo. Please enjoy the deep character of true indigo and the natural aging of its color over time.

・The soft texture of raw white Isemomen Cotton “Bun” fabric is beautifully finished with indigo dye.
・The classic tenugui has been resized into a slightly smaller, more compact version.
・Recommended for gifts.
※Pattern placement will vary from piece to piece due to the manufacturing process. Customers cannot specify the print.
※This item uses Isemomen cotton. Small fluffs on the surface may be visible depending on the dye color, which is a natural characteristic of Isemomen cotton.
※As raw, unbleached fabric is used, the textile features a natural, rustic tone. Black specks visible on the fabric surface are plant fragments that cannot be avoided during the production of raw cotton fabric.

【Characteristics of Natural Indigo & Care Instructions】
Natural indigo dyeing fixes color through repeated oxidation and alkalization processes. However, slight amounts of unoxidized components may remain.
These elements create the depth and softness unique to indigo, but when worn in hot and humid conditions, they may cause color fading or brownish/yellowish stains.

Japanese tenugui (hand towels) are traditionally left unhemmed at the ends.
Due to the nature of the weaving process, neps (knots in the fabric) may be present.
As this item is hand-printed using Kyoto Stencil Yuzen dyeing, uneven dyeing may appear along the edges of the fabric.
Uneven dyeing at the fabric edges may occur due to the “box steaming” process, in which the fabric is suspended inside a box during steaming. These hanging marks are a distinctive feature of Ainasen dyeing.