The Charm of Well Made Sundries - Kamenoko Tawashi Nishio Shoten

  • Area

    • Kanto
    • Tokyo

  • Categories

    • Recommendations
    • Souvenirs

  • Update date

    • 2024-10-21

When people think of Japanese scrubbing brushes, the most famous one would be the "Kamenoko Tawashi", a long-seller since its launch in 1907.

Highly skilled veteran craftsman make each one by hand with carefully selected ingredients.

We would like to introduce you to our directly managed store, Kamenoko Tawashi Nishio Shoten, where you can learn about the various uses and charms for this item.

The company building still retains the Western architecture style from the Meiji era. When you step foot into the retro entrance, a carpet decorated with turtles greet you.

"Tawashi" is a type of brush used to clean pots and dishes, and has long been made of rolled straw or rope in Japan. Nishio Shozaemon, the first president, who was a man of ideas, developed a new type of shoe-wiping mat using Trachycarpus. But there was a flaw, and had to receive the returned products.The idea for the particular cleaning tool came about after seeing his wife roll up the returned mats around a stick to clean with them. The name "Kamenoko Tawashi" was derived from its shape, which was created through trial and error to fit comfortably in people's hands.

The wrapping paper (Right) with a copy of the product at the time of its launch. The product sold so fast that countered products appeared, and a patent was obtained in order to protect the product.

The store offers a wide variety of products, from staple products to miscellaneous goods and sundries. You can read the accompanying signs and take the product in your hand to see how it feels in use.

The raw material that are used like coconut palms and trachycarpus, as well as posters and trademark registration certificates from that time, are also displayed, making it look like a small museum.

The store has an pleasant interior which the wind gently breezes through. Retro lighting and a Tawashi chandelier hang from the high ceiling.
The "Kamenoko Jump" (six hundred five Yen Tax Incl.), a Tawashi with a-handle on it, is a must have for cleaning shoes. The colorful handles are stylish.

The simple "Kamenoko Sponge" is 374 Yen (Tax Incl.).It is an excellent product that lasts for a long time with amazing lather and comfortable to use, and once you use it, you will want to keep coming back for more, and it is very popular for souvenirs. Seasonal limited edition sponges are also available, such as "Sumire" and "Sakura" in spring, and "Tsuki" and "Yoru" in autumn. It's going to be fun to be in the kitchen.

Cute stackable mugs "Kamenoko Stacking Mug set of three" (4950 Yen Tax Incl.) and "Water Bottle Kamenoko Stainless Steel Thermal Insulated Bottle" (1880Yen Tax Incl.).

There are two directly managed stores, one here in Takinogawa, and one in Yanaka. All of these stores make use of the original buildings, and the limited-edition products available only at the directly managed stores are also very appealing. Rare items include a Tenugui hand towel (1,760 yen Incl. Tax) from a collaboration event with the long-established stores inTakinogawa held in July 2024 (Tokiwa Sauce x Inariyu x Kamenoko Tawashi)!

"Kamenoko Stealth T-Shirts" in imposed colors that look comfortable to wear. (3960 Yen each, Tax Incl.).
"BE @ RBRICK Kamenoko Tawashi 100%" (1650Yen Tax Incl.).

The apparel goods are also made of thick cotton and very fashionable in design.The "Kamenoko Tawashi Obi" (550 yen Tax Incl.), which has a colorful silicon band and string attached to the belt portion of a traditional Tawashi, can be attached to a backpack like a strap and is very useful when carried for camping.

The "White Tawashi" series matches the modern kitchen. "White Tawashi Sisal Hemp (Large)" (1210Yen Tax Incl.).

"White palm" is made from palm (coconut fiber) decolorized with safe hydrogen peroxide water, and "Sisal hemp" is made from soft sisal fiber. The bagel-like circular shape is very cute and also easy to dry.

Body care products of various shapes and materials. For beginners, the soft "Sato-san (with string)" (1705Yen Tax Incl.) is recommended.

Surprisingly, this is for body care! There are four levels of firmness, depending on the materials like sisal fiber, hemp palm, and palm. Sato-san, Tamura-san, Narita-san, and Nishio-kun, in that order, the stimulation increases, and the comfort becomes evident when they are used. Try to find your favorite Tawashi .

Hemp Palm Tawashi "Kuri" (3630 Yen Tax Incl.) has a comfortable touch that you can feel when you hold it in your hands. (Limited to three per person. Sale ends when product is gone.).

"Hemp Palm Tawashi Kuri" is a top quality product made from carefully selected hemp palm fibers and made by our craftsmen. Each piece, individually hand-wrapped on reprinted paper, is as beautiful as a piece of artwork.

The striped series is available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, and each color can be used for a different purpose. (550- 715 Yen Tax Incl.).

A Message to Guests Visiting Japan.

"Kamenoko Tawashi", a Japanese tool born from the wisdom of daily life. Even now, veteran craftsman make each one by hand. We hope that visitors to Japan know about the unchanged charm of these sundries, and that they will come to the store to touch and use them in their own hands as well.

Access.

Tokyo Kita-ku Takinogawa 6-14-8

- 7minute walk from Nishi-Sugamo Station (Exit A3) on the Toei Mita Line.

・8minute walk from JR Itabashi Station.

■ Kamenoko Tawashi Official Website.

https://www.kamenoko-tawashi.co.jp/