Umami Mart Registry

This long and thin towel is both sturdy and soft to keep up with you during all your workouts – from an energizing jog to a restorative yoga session. They're super absorbent and quick-drying with an added bonus of being anti-odor and anti-microbial (thanks to the charcoal). Comprised of six-layers of a gauze-like fabric called kaya, these towels are durable and long-lasting.

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 (and at our bar!). 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.
  • 6"W x 42"L
  • Made from: 65% Rayon, 35% Cotton 
  • Machine washable, air dry
  • Made in Japan