Today I’m showing something beautiful and unusual: it’s an asa or hemp sleeveless hanten (work coat) that has been patched and mended with scraps of tenugui. Tenugui are thin, cotton “towels”: they are made from a simple, unfinished length of cotton and imprinted with designs.  Tenugui are sometimes given as gifts by businesses to clients, so the business name or some image associated with it will be stenciled on the tenugui.  Tenugui are also sold at tourist destinations as a souvenir of the place.  Tenugui are ubiquitous in Japan.This hanten, which probably dates to the mid-twentieth century, is lavishly patched with tenugui pieces on the front, back, and inside of the coat.Each angle of this coat is excellent.  The back is good; the front is good; the inside is good.  I’m just showing front and back, which I think have a lot of appeal.