Novelty towel hankie

hand towel

Brand: Atsuko Matano

Price: 700 yen

Place of purchase: Nishikawa Chain Ichikawa Negu

Rating:

One good habit I have adopted in my Japan life is carrying a handkerchief in my bag or pocket. I've got a half-dozen with various motifs. A designer I adore is Atsuko Matano. She's a designer who has produced stage productions, written and illustrated books, and creates original accessories. Her colourful towel handkerchiefs often have abstract eye-popping patterns. She has often made cat motif ones, too. This one has a little cat face peeking over a piano keyboard. It's a conversation-starter and makes me smile.

I love this fluffy terry cloth all-cotton towel handkerchief. The colours are subdued, but the little cat and its keyboard make a mundane daily item a novelty. I have no complaints. As a novelty and designer item, it's a little more expensive at 700 yen (most standard hankies are 300-500 yen). I tend to opt for these small, practical accessories that bring a smile to me and others. They're hard to come by. I found this version at a bed linen shop in Kasukabe City. When you're in Imabari City in Ehime, don't miss the Ichihiro Towel Museum featuring her works.