When speaking English I generally try not to insist on using a Japanese word for something we’ve got a perfectly serviceable English term for. Onsen? Hot spring. Genkan? Entryway. Omotenashi? Hospitality.
Still, there are times when Japanese vocabulary can be really handy. Tenugui, for example, is a lot more succinct than its English equivalent: “cloths with decorative patterns, often traditional, that are longer than hand towels, yet narrower than bath towels, and can be used as handkerchiefs, tablecloths, gift wrapping, or interior decorations.” And as if linguistic convenience wasn’t reason enough, now there’s one more reason to embrace the Japanese word, or actually two, with these beautiful Sailor Moon tenugui.
Produced by anime merchandiser Ensky, both Sailor Moon Crystal tenugui measure 90 centimeters (35.4 inches) long by 33 centimeters (13 inches) wide and are made of 100-percent cotton. The designs are elegant yet eye-catching, which is appropriate as they’re modeled after the anime series’ “eye-catch” visuals, pieces of still artwork that serve as bumpers for when an episode goes into or out of a commercial break.
The first pattern features a silhouette of Sailor Moon herself.
The second stars Princess Serenity and a portion of her regal regalia, plus an assortment of delicate lilies.
If you’re having trouble deciding which you like better, you’ll be happy to know that since they’re priced at just 1,200 yen (US$10) each, picking up both isn’t a bank account-busting proposition. Both tenuguui can be preordered from Ensky’s online shop (Sailor Moon here, Princess Serenity here) with shipping scheduled for December.
Source: Sailor Moon official website
Images: Sailor Moon official website (edited by RocketNews24)