It takes three traditional Japanese textiles — sailcloth canvas, tenugui cotton hand towels and sanada himo cord — to create a Sanpu Sanyo Crystal Apron. Each one has a strong canvas front panel and wide, tightly woven straps that double-wrap around the waist for extra support — both nods to Japan’s traditional 15th-century merchant and craftsperson maekake apron.
This Crystal version features a design of white triangles on deep blue background and is reminiscent of traditional Japanese patterns of clear cracking ice.
The modern addition of multi pockets, a front slit and the bold hand-dyed tenugui side panels make the Sanpu Sanyo Apron extra special. The soft cotton side panels are great for wiping hands, the pockets ideal for carrying kitchen utensils, or gardening and workshop tools, while the front slit makes it easy to move around in.
See here for a long version, great for the workshop. Or visit the Sanpu Sanyo Collection for other designs.
Sanpu Sanyo Aprons come from Kireya, a kimono store with over 100 years history of working with traditional Japanese textile artisans. It also specializes in tenugui design and is an advocate of finding new ways to use the cotton towels.
Sailcloth canvas front, cotton sides
Two front panel pockets, front slit
Two pockets on each side panel
Length 39cm x Width 98cm
Comes wrapped in tatoushi — washi paper traditionally used to protect kimono in storage.
Made in Japan
