The World of Japan's Towel Sommeliers
If we asked you to picture a sommelier, you’d probably conjure up an image of well-dressed man or woman with a bottle of cabernet propped over their forearm; a tiny pin glinting on their lapel. However, should you swap the cabernet for, say, an absorptive cotton and linen blended hand towel what you’d have instead is a towel sommelier.
Why a Sommelier for Towels?
Our collection of Japanese towels are produced in Imabari, Japan, a city of nearly 200,000 residents in Ehime Prefecture. For more than a century, Imabari has been a center of manufacturing for towels of superior quality.
Today, the towel industry in Imabari is one of the main economic drivers in the region where nearly 200 factories work to perfect and advance all aspects of weaving, dyeing, and producing towels. In an effort to ensure that Imabari continues to lead the world in towel production, the Imabari towel sommelier program was started in 2007 to build the world's first dedicated group of towel specialists to help us all navigate the complex world of towels.
How to Become a Towel Sommelier
All towel sommeliers are required to study for, take, and pass the Towel Sommelier qualifying exam. The exam, held twice per year in April and September, is offered in either Imabari, Tokyo, or Osaka. To complete the exam, students are expected to show mastery in topics as varied as the history of towels, the manufacturing process from cotton to finishing, distribution, and the best way to advise customers. The exam consists of fifty multiple choice questions and students have one and a half hours to complete it. A score of 80 or above is necessary to pass and on average 59% of applicants do.
Selecting a Towel Like a Towel Sommelier
In addition to learning about every conceivable detail about towel manufacturing, towel sommeliers are also trained in assisting customer with selecting the perfect towels for their individual needs and preferences.
The general process of consulting a customer is as follows (in order of most to least importance):
Color and pattern - The most personal consideration when purchasing towels is purely aesthetic. People can expect to live with their towels for many years, and so, ensuring the design and color matches their decor is especially important. Try to coordinate the towels with the existing bathroom linens (bathmat, shower curtain, robe, etc..).
Feel and weave - Personal preference often comes into play here. Many people believe that fluffier towels are better at absorbing liquid. It is the job of the towel sommelier to dispel any myths.
Intended Purpose - Consider the intended use of the towels. Different qualities are needed in a kitchen towel as opposed to a pool towel.
Size/Volume - Towels come in many sizes. Consider the people that will be using the towels and buy accordingly.
Price - It can become quite expensive to purchase an entirely new set of towels for adults, kids, and guests. Work with the customer to determine an appropriate price point.
WORDS BY SAM GEAN
