Umami Mart Gift Guide

We can't live without these highly absorbent, quick-drying fukin (multi-cloth towels) behind the bar and in our kitchens. Wipe up countertops, tables, chairs, and sinks with streak-free confidence. Wring them out and hang, and be amazed at how fast they dry. Comprised of six-layers of a gauze-like fabric called kaya, these towels are durable and long-lasting.

These dishcloths are printed with a playful design of perky Shiba Inus to ensure that your cleaning rituals are all the more enjoyable.

Made with 100% organic cotton and dyed with plant and rock-based dyes.

We visited Maruyama Fiber Industry who make Nawrap towels in Nara, and learned about the traditional weaving technique native to the region. Dating back hundreds of years, kaya (mosquito net) is a fabric weave that has holes less than 1mm in size and lets wind pass freely in and out without letting in mosquitos. Kaya, as mosquito nets, aren't used as often as they were in Japan, but they still in many other parts of the world. 

They found that layering kaya makes a great fukin (kitchen cloth) that is now ubiquitous in Japan. Layering the very thin materials makes them super absorbent but quick drying. Nawrap makes all kinds of products for different uses with kaya. In addition to fukin (six layers), they also make pillowcases (four layers), tea towels (two layers), and more. An added bonus to kaya is that it becomes softer after every wash.
  • 13.5"W x 16"L
  • Made from: 70% Cotton, 30% Rayon 
  • Machine washable, air dry
  • Made in Japan