[ARAMAKI] Tenugui (hand towel)

Aramaki salmon is a traditional food culture of the northern region and a standard year-end gift. ARAMAKI tenugui towels are made by finding new possibilities in the wooden boxes of aramaki salmon that have outlived their usefulness, and proposing new ways of making things. "Sakegram," made with a new salmon roll, was born from a collaboration between ARAMAKI and the design firm "Kagikko." This tenugui features a unique design that incorporates the letters and logos that were printed on the boxes used by "Marugame Salmon," which was founded in 1935, and features a whole salmon printed like a fish. It's a tenugui that's fun to think of ways to use. The design is based on the type of salmon, place of origin, grade, and name of the seafood processing company printed on the salmon box, and is finished in four colors with a focus on color and faded look. Tenugui are highly breathable and quick-drying, so they can be used in a variety of ways, such as as a hand towel or dishcloth, or even wrapped like a furoshiki. Their striking designs are eye-catching, making them perfect for interior decoration.

ARAMAKI began when a shrine carpenter who returned to his hometown discovered the potential of salmon boxes, a commonplace item in Hokkaido. Shrine carpenters are taught to "cherish wood," "use it to the fullest," and "use the right material in the right place." By reevaluating and utilizing the value of salmon boxes, we continue to seek out their "right place" beyond simply storing salmon. Through our ongoing activities, we visited wooden box manufacturers, sawmills, and seafood processing companies in Kushiro, learning about the current state of the fishing, forestry, and distribution industries, including the replacement of wooden boxes with Styrofoam and declining salmon catches. We are therefore revising our production lines, developing products together with manufacturers, and creating spaces to consider the future of primary industries. From aramaki to ARAMAKI. We aim to reflect the food culture surrounding aramaki salmon in our manufacturing, fostering new richness in everyday life.
[From the ARAMAKI website]