Washirashi Gyoten The characteristic of washirashi is that cotton fabric is slowly bleached in a “kettle” for 48 to 72 hours. The cotton fibers that have been bleached through the process maintain their soft, round shape. The whiteness is also whiter than Western-style bleaching, and the fabric shrinks less. Soft, pure white washirashi is gentle on the skin and has been treasured since ancient times. It is used widely for cloth cloths, hand towels, belly bands, belly warmers, diapers, yukata, nursing underwear, Buddhist and Shinto ceremonies, etc.