THE ART OF JAPANESE TEMPIBOSHI - Natural Sun Dry Finish
Traditional Japanese tempiboshi is an artisanal process where fabrics are direct dyed, then allowed to dry and finish naturally in the sun.
The technique is an inherited tradition which has been passed down by Japanese craftsmen for generations. Fabric is dyed in small batches (similar to a hand dye process), then hung naturally outside on wooden frames. The selvedges are pegged to lines by hand and the fabric is left to dry in natural sunlight, free from any mechanical heat setting or mechanical tension.
Because the fabric is not subjected to mercerization or sanforization, what results is a natural and extremely unique, soft hand feel; where softness only intensifies over time through repeat washing and continual wear.
The tempiboshi process also gives the fabric unique wrinkles where no wrinkle is the same. Big or strong wrinkles may appear in the fabric here or there, but these are by no means defects. This is the true nature of tempiboshi.
Due to the way the fabric is dyed and finished, its production is also undeniably limited by its production space. So not only is tempiboshi a pure expression of quality, skill and expertise; but it is also a process that consciously minimises waste and one that is ultimately more sustainable for our environment.