CRAFTMANSHIP
Imabari, the mecca of towel in Japan
Imabari, the mecca of towels in Japan, has more than 120 years of history in tapestry production. The craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation and the rigorous quality inspections produce towels of unparalleled quality.
The Soft Water of Imabari Makes Imabari towel Soft
The climate here is warm with abundant water. Imabari’s great environment has helped to nurture one of Japan’s best towel production areas. Moreover, the underground water of Sojagawa River is soft water with very few impurities. This water is gentle to the yarn and material of the towel and allows delicate and bright colors while bringing out the natural softness of the cotton used.
Each Step is Full of Skill
Various artisanal skills can be seen in the details of each towel production step including yarn handling, weaving, dye composition, and the unique Sakizarashi Sakizome (dyeing strings first) technique. Without artfully completing each step with care and dedication, a towel that fascinates the world cannot be born.
A Standard for Ensuring Quality.
Imabari towel has its own quality inspection method. For example, there is the “five-second rule.” This checks whether a towel sinks after it is placed on water within five seconds. This is a unique inspection used in the area to guarantee “water absorbance” that is characteristic of imabari towel. Only towels that pass such standards can be branded as an imabari towel.
