It may look like just another “tawashi” (scrubbing brush), but the tawashi and brooms manufactured by Takada Kozo Shoten in Wakayama Prefecture boast a soft texture that stands apart from conventional brushes that are coarse in texture.<\/p>\n
Densely covered in forests, Wakayama Prefecture is often referred to as the land of trees, and its people have skillfully processed the native grown trachycarpus palm<\/em> trees to craft refined items for everyday use.<\/p>\n Takada Kozo Shoten has been making tawashi and brooms made of fiber from trachycarpus<\/em> bark since 1948. The fiber is also used to make strong rope.<\/p>\n The natural-fiber tawashi can cleanly get rid of slight grease stains with just water. But with a little bit of detergent, stains can be removed in a more effective way, the company says.<\/p>\n The eco-friendly product is so soft that it can be used as a washcloth.<\/p>\n The common sponge is much more commonly used for washing dishes, but it may be a great idea to try out the traditional tawashi in the kitchen.<\/p>\n A large tawashi sells for 745 yen ($7.25), a small one for 691 yen and an extra-small one for 637 yen.<\/p>\n Wakayama Kishu-kan’s address: 2-10-1, B1, Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan, Yurakucho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.<\/p>\n Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.<\/p>\n