Takeda Wazarashi is a traditional Japanese fabric (Wazarashi) factory located in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. My encounter with Takeda Wazarashi began when I had the opportunity to participate as an advisor in a project called "Sakai Kitchen".

Exploring the Possibilities of Wazarashi Made in Japan

Sakai City, Osaka, is well-known as a production area for knives, blades, and hand towels called tenugui. The Senshu area in Sakai City, especially the Kena-Tsukuno district along the Ishizu River, has been a renowned producer of Wazarashi (traditional Japanese bleached cotton cloth).





Since its establishment in 1911, Takeda Wazarashi has been pursuing the possibilities of Wazarashi as a traditional Japanese industry and a distinguished made-in-Japan product. Utilizing pure water, new technologies and incorporating unique processing methods in line with the times, their Wazarashi fabrics are known for their excellent texture, breathability, and functionality.

A new Wazarashi called 'Sasasa' born from a Revolutionary Idea

The technique of Wazarashi involves bleaching cotton fabric to a pristine white. In the case of ‘Sasasa',
the cotton cloth used for tenugui hand towels is folded and packed into large metal baskets, then boiled in enormous kilns to achieve a beautifully bleached result. The process itself is impressive and captivating.





The cotton fabric that has undergone Wazarashi treatment is further processed through cutting and sewing to become various products. However, Takeda Wazarashi's 'Sasasa' takes a reverse approach by leaving the fabric "almost as it is" in a rolled form, creating a product that can be used just like kitchen paper.





True to its name, 'Sasasa' is a versatile item that can be used for quick wiping, drying, squeezing, scrubbing, polishing, wrapping, draining water, and washing, among other tasks.

The Graceful yet Casual Gestures of the Japanese Kitchen Culture

'Sasasa' proves to be a convenient tool in the kitchen. When paired with elegant wooden stands and other accessories, it adds a stylish touch, making kitchen work more enjoyable. The simple acts of wiping and squeezing using Sasasa evoke the essence of Japanese kitchen culture, and I personally find joy in using and seeing it every day. I highly recommend giving it a try.