WHAT IS AN OSHIBORI?

The oshibori is simply a wet hand towel supposedly known to provide a means to cleanse one’s self in the absence of running water. Generally, it is known to provide comfort and is a tell-tale sign of great service. It is common to see this being served in Japanese restaurants, bars, airports, and even long-distance trains (like the Shinkansen). There are also oshibori served in JR Express trains all over Japan.

Simply put, an oshibori is a small, white towel which had been soaked in clean water (either cold or hot). The water is then wrung out keeping the towel damp but not dripping. It will then be folded, or rolled before being placed inside plastic bags or containers to keep it damp for use.

The guest can either use it for cleaning his hands or for providing comfort for the face during summer (cool towels) and winter (hot towels).

In the early 1600s, oshibori were popular in tea houses. These are given to travelers who stop by tea houses to rest after a long journey. Since this was seen as a heartwarming gesture, the custom easily spread out all over Japan and stayed for centuries to come. It is now considered as one of the standard gesture of hospitality in any Japanese establishment. http://yabai.com/p/4164