Hiroshima Dentetsu: A Towel Woven with Wishes for Peace

Recycled Origami Cranes Transform into a Symbolic Hand Towel

The Hiroshima Dentetsu hand towel is not just a utilitarian item; it's a testament to the city's resilience and a message of peace. Crafted from recycled paper cranes—a poignant symbol of peace and healing—the towel carries the essence of Hiroshima within its fibers. The design cleverly incorporates the city's tram, number 650, visible through a purposeful cutout, while the maple pattern nods to the prefectural tree, further rooting the product in local identity.

With innovation at its core, the hand towel is produced through a process that converts donated origami cranes into rayon thread. This sustainable approach not only gives new life to paper offerings but also weaves the collective wishes of thousands into a single, meaningful artifact. The towel's packaging, a folded paper design revealing typography akin to ascending stairs, adds an extra layer of engagement, unfolding Hiroshima's story with each crease.

Measuring 25cm by 25cm, the hand towel's specifications are a testament to thoughtful design, ensuring it is both practical and emblematic. The packaging, a single sheet of paper ingeniously folded to reveal the number 650 and the logo, speaks volumes of the design's commitment to minimalism and impact. It challenges the norm, proving that simplicity can indeed lead to profound statements.

The product's interaction with its audience extends beyond its tactile quality. A portion of the proceeds from each sale supports the Hiroshima Peace Exchange Fund or the Atomic Bomb Dome Preservation Fund, making each purchase a contribution to the city's ongoing narrative of peace and preservation.

Set to be available from April 2023 at souvenir shops in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Hiroshima Dentetsu hand towel is a design that encapsulates the city's spirit. It is a reminder of the past and a hopeful gesture towards the future. The research and creativity invested in this project aim to ignite interest in Hiroshima's history and the broader message of peace, fostering environmental consciousness and community revitalization.

Overcoming the challenge of creating an appealing, cost-effective package from a single sheet of paper, the design team, led by Hajime Tsushima, has achieved a product that is as much a work of art as it is a souvenir. The hand towel's design, with its layered and staircase-like paper structure, is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication to peace that defines Hiroshima.

Recognized with the prestigious Bronze A' Packaging Design Award in 2024, the Hiroshima Dentetsu hand towel stands as a symbol of creative excellence. It is a product that not only serves a practical purpose but also carries a profound message, embodying the intersection of art, design, and technology with the human spirit's resilience.