My tenugui: inside everyday life with Kamawanu tenugui

Tucked away on the second floor of a nondescript house in Daikanyama, Yusho Astage is a tiny but exceptional ramen spot for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted bowl of noodles. Behind the counter is Kazuo Hashimoto, who took over from his father and continues to honour the shop’s roots with its signature shiitake ramen, alongside a small selection of other noodle dishes and stir fries.

Hashimoto makes the most of his compact kitchen, turning out dishes that keep people coming back for more. A tenugui is essential to his workflow, as he uses the cloth to wipe his hands and keep cool when tending to simmering broths and firing up the wok.

The name Kaoru Hoshino might sound familiar – she’s one of our editors here at Time Out Tokyo. But she’s also an accomplished artist, specialising in wood sculpture and painting. Hoshino studied at an art university in Tokyo before earning her MFA in Hamburg, and has worked under renowned artist and professor Anselm Reyle. Recently, she showed one of her pieces at the Spiral building in Aoyama as part of a group exhibition by the Yoshino Gypsum Art Foundation.

When working, Hoshino uses a tenugui as a placemat to keep her tools and brushes organised. It helps protect her work surface and doubles as a cloth for wiping up spills. She also wraps it around her tools to create a simple pouch, keeping everything neatly together.

Kendo instructor and practitioner Kyoko Ninomiya took up the sport at the age of six and hasn’t looked back since. Early on, she was introduced to a female instructor, still a rarity in the male dominated world of kendo, and went on to build connections with many excellent teachers, which ultimately inspired her to pursue the discipline long term. Now holding both a teaching licence and a master’s degree in kendo, she shares her expertise at institutions including Hiroo Gakuen Junior and Senior High School.

Ninomiya explains that the tenugui is an essential part of the kendo uniform, tied around the head to provide cushioning beneath the men, or helmet, that’s a component of the sport’s protective armour. While many of her tenugui feature phrases or inspirational idioms to help focus the mind, she notes that choosing one with a beautiful pattern can also lift her spirits and put her in a good mood before practice.