Stencil-Dyed Turkish Towel
This is a stencil-dyed Turkish towel made of 100% cotton, measuring approximately 1m × 2m.
During a workshop trip to Turkey, I was deeply inspired by the hamam (Turkish bath) culture and the comfort of their towels, so I commissioned locally woven white cloths to work with. Also known as pestemal or hamam towel, it is traditionally used for drying the body after bathing, but it also serves many other purposes—such as a beach wrap, stole, sofa cover, or mat. In Turkey, you can see them everywhere in daily life.
While most Turkish towels feature woven patterns such as stripes or jacquards, I decided to take on the challenge of creating a large-format stencil-dyed design, something I don’t usually do. The pattern is inspired by traditional Seljuk geometric motifs (fivefold symmetry) rendered with rope-like lines, arranged so that the design looks beautiful whether spread out or wrapped around the body.
In Japan, the word “towel” usually brings to mind fluffy pile fabric, but Turkish towels are quite different: they are plain-woven from fine cotton yarns with a loose weave, giving them excellent absorbency and quick-drying properties. Their thinness also makes them easy to roll up and carry without taking up space.
Turkish Towel
Material: 100% cotton
Size: h100 (approx. 39) × w200 (approx. 79) cm (inch)
Skm(sukumo) : 2025
Technique : Stencil dyeing(Katazome)
・Indigo dyed by BUAISOU
・Woven for BUAISOU inTurkey.
・Designed by Kakuo KAJI/BUAISOU
Comes in a box.We recommend that you gently hand wash items with detergent and lukewarm water the first 2-3 times after purchase.Regarding tapestries, cloths and other ornamental items, we recommend that you hand wash with warm water once every six month to a year to get rid of any excess dye.Please use detergent that does not include any whitening or bleaching agents.Although BUAISOU’s indigo dye products have been stripped of excess dye using natural dye stripping agents prior to purchase, there is still a possibility of color transfer with harsh rubbing or other close / vigorous interactions.While brown or yellow pigment may appear during washing, this is a chemical component unique to the indigo dye we use, whilst doing this repeatedly, you may remove the excess dye and be left with more vivid colors than before.This is a very special trait of ours, and why BUAISOU’s indigo dye products are the best.
Because the products are handmade, each item’s colors and patterns are unique. * The dye may react to ultraviolet rays such as sunlight and discoloration may occur. Please keep away from excessive ultraviolet rays or sunlight. In the unlikely event of discoloration, place the item hot water overnight, wash and repeat. Using a washing machine is possible (with the delicate wash function).