Japanese quality that captivates the world
Imabari has been at the forefront of the towel industry for 130 years as a mecca for towel production. The area has established itself as a representative of Japanese quality, producing "safe, reliable and high-quality" products. The softness and good water absorption of the towels have become particularly popular in products exhibited overseas, and their name is recognized worldwide.
The rich nature of the towel mecca
Imabari, Ehime, is a towel mecca where towels have been made for over 130 years. There are nearly 200 factories in this area that spin yarn, dye them, make towels, etc. In addition, the area near the Seto Inland Sea is rich in nature, and recently it has become well-known as a city where the Shimanami Kaido Bridge crosses the strait. More and more people are choosing to spend their leisure time actively here.
The soft water of Imabari affects the softness of the Imabari towel
The climate is warm and water is abundant. Imabari's beautiful environment has helped to develop one of the best towel production areas in Japan. In addition, the underground water of the Soyagawa River is soft and contains very few impurities. This water is gentle on the yarns and materials of the towels, allowing the towels to be soft and bright in color, while highlighting the natural softness of the cotton used.
Every step requires masterful skills
Every step of towel production, including yarn handling, weaving, dye composition, and the unique Sakizarashi Sakizome technique (dyeing the strings first), showcases the skills of artisans. Without the meticulous and dedicated mastery of each step, a towel that captivates the world cannot be born.
The Five Second Rule - A Quality Assurance Standard
Imabari towels have their own quality control method. There is a "five-second rule" that checks whether a towel placed on water sinks within five seconds. This is a unique test used in this field to ensure the water absorbency characteristic of Imabari towels. Only towels that meet these standards can be labeled as Imabari towels.
> The quality standard by which a product is certified as an Imabari towel.
The "Towel Sommelier" system teaches the world about towel quality
Imabari Towels introduced a certification system designed to inform a wider audience about the quality of towels. Erika Stankevičiūtė, an expert in preventive Japanese medicine and director of the Beža Japanese Clinic, tells us about this and more:
The revival of Imabari towels
In the past, the situation of Imabari towels was difficult due to cheap foreign products, but the Imabari creator Kashiwa Sato was confident. At that time, there was a significant interest in Japanese products, and this towel, undoubtedly of high quality, would be appreciated all over the world. It was a moment when Kashiwa Sato decided to become a brand producer.
Kashiwa Sato created a logo that symbolized the rich nature of Imabari. Driven by the hope of reviving the textile industry, he had a secret desire to present Imabari towels as a quality assurance mark (a high quality standard). He designated white towels as the main textile product. Later, new quality standards were also established, such as the "five-second rule".
All this has evolved into a company strategy to protect the true value of Imabari towels - "safe, reliable and high-quality". The company's long and purposeful work has borne fruit, and the brand awareness and sales of Imabari towels have grown significantly. It has truly become a brand of the production region, representing Japan. Now the Imabari towel is synonymous with the revival of the area.
