"Green Tea"
This is a Tengui Book about Japanese Green Tea.
From how they grow it to how to serve it.
"Bon" means "Book" in Japanese. A book made from One Tenugui without cutting it. It was folded such way that it became a small book, a very soft fabric book. It came with diagram, therefore I could see what the tenugui looks like when it is opened.
I don't have heart to cut the thread holding the shape of Tenugui-Bon. But if I do, it will open up to a smarty printed "Tenugui"
Since then, I am collecting these wonderfully Japanese little things.
Some of big cities have their own version of "Tenugui Bon" such places as Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, Kanazawa..... I have a few of them.
But my favorites are books about Japanese culture, such as Food, Tea, Festivals, Calligraphy, Onsen(hot springs)....
You get the idea ? I have some of those as well.
Recently, I discovered that I can get a case for it. Now I keep it in the case, then put them on the bookself. They are just like small-size books, I used to buy in Japan to keep in a bag to carry around when I was reading it.
"Calligraphy"
This is how I keep "Tenugui Bon"
Book about "Japanese Things", "Family Crests", "Onsen" , "Rice"
They are my Tenugui Bon Collection, so far.
All Books are open.
Some of the images may look familiar to you, don't they ?
One of the other things made from Tenugui is "Tenugui Tote Bag"
When I was visiting Kanazawa, I walked into this small shop which specialized in things very traditionally Japanese.
When I was living there, I used to despise shops like that.
But now, finding shops like that is becoming such a pleasure. I have no power over getting into the place like that....
There were many things I wanted to get in that shop in Kanazawa, but I had to make a choice. After all, I just checked into a small Japanese style B&B a few steps away. I needed to see the rest of the city before spending money at the very first shop in that city.
But, there was a Tote Bag Made from a Scallion-Print Tenugui. I was carrying my guide book with my hand. Therefore I needed to have a tote for me to put things in to be able to walk around. At least I found a good excuse to spend money. So I got that tote that morning.
It was well-made bag. It had a lining and small patch-pocket inside. I'll never find a fabric bag like that in the USA.
I'm so glad that I bought my "Naganegi (Scallion) Tote" Since I've gotten that tote, I made a few totes from "Tenugui" I purchased in Kyoto. One of them is in "Senbei Tenugui (Japanese Rice Cracker Print Tenugui)"
I still have few more of those Tenugui with Non Traditional Print which are perfect for tote bags me to make...
"Senbei Tote" & "Naganegi Tote"
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