Production of Towels (Local Industry)
Sakaguchi-Sa Towel Co. Ltd.
This Senshu Area (consisting of Kumatori Town, Izumisano City andSennan City) has had a thriving towel production industry since the1890s; accordingly, the towels produced here are called SenshuTowels .
There are two methods of production, prior blanching where blanchingis done before production, and later blanching where blanching is done
after production. <*1> Senshu Towel employs the later blanching
method, whereby the woven towels are blanched and then washed withwater, resulting in towels that are clean, shrink-resistant, provide goodwater absorption and are soft to the touch.
<*1> The yarn used in towel production is first starched or waxed so as
to make it strong and slippery for smoother weaving. Thus, the towel justwoven is water repellent. However, going through the blanching process
after having been woven, the later blanching method towel is rendered
free of starch or wax, and becomes water absorbent.

Production Process[Towel Production]-Preparation of Yarn↓
-Weaving (Towel Weaving)↓-Blanching, Dyeing↓-Printing/Embroidering, Sewing↓-Inspection, Shipping
At the end of these processes, towel production is complete.

Towel handkerchiefs
with printed Kumatori
Town s mascot,Mejina-chan≪Until towel production is complete.≫
The following processes framed between broad blue lines are worked out in a factory specializing inthem.

Yarn Wholesaler

Preparation of Yarn
Warp

①Sizing Agent

The warp is starched or waxed so as tomake it stronger for easier weaving.

YarnWeft②Towel Factory (Weaving Factory)

Sewing both edges (of towel)
Weaving⑦Inspection③④⑤Delivery⑥

Later Blanching Method
Printing, Sewing edges

Refinement
Blanching

DyeingDryingCharacteristics of Towel Production
Here in the Senshu Area, all towel production processes are divided among the factories according totheir specialized process, and the final complete towel is ready to be shipped from the weaving
factory.
Division of work and collaboration among the factories are features of the local towel industry.
At present, there are about 100 factories weaving towels, and nearby, there are 400 other factories
collaborating to do processes other than weaving; thus 500 factories in total work together for the
production of Senshu Towels.

Towel Factory (Weaving Factory)

Weaving machines inside of factory.

Weaving

Setting/Maintaining Weaving Machines

Sewing both edges of towels

The towel weaving machine weaves the warp (consisting of thousands of the upper and lower parts)
with one string of the weft. The speed depends how fast the weft string goes from one side to theother for weaving; the speed is 200-400 times a minute (one dozen towels are woven every 5minutes).
The mechanics of weaving the warp with a string of the weft at high speed is in common with motor
mechanics (turbine technology) of the automobile. The weaving machines made in Japan, Germany
and Italy are excellent.

ProductsThe main product is towels measuring 35cm x 85cm, which wecall face towels . Upon receiving orders from many
corporations, their company names are printed on the towels forgifts to their customers. Moreover, we produce towels ofdifferent sizes (hand towels, sports towels, bathroom towels,etc.) in accordance with their orders.
Please contact the following for information about the local towel production.
Kumatori Town Society of Commerce and Industry
Jibashin Corporation (located at Shop Himawari)
2-9-20, Noda, Kumatori-Town, Sennan-gun,
1-10-1, Gomon-Nishi, Kumatori-Town, Sennan-gun,Osaka-Pref.,590-0451,JAPAN
Osaka-Pref.,590-0415,JAPAN
Tel: Domestic callers : 072-453-8181
Tel: Domestic callers : 072-452-1428
International callers: 81-72-453-8181
International callers: 81-72-452-1428
Towels are available for sale at Jibashin Corporation.