ii heart " wa " japan

"Wa" Woodblock Print Pocket Square, 100% Charitable Donation

The Hill-Side produced this woodblock printed pocket square as a charitable fundraising product with the goal of raising money to support disaster relief efforts in Japan and elsewhere.

The character printed on this pocket square is an old written name for Japan. It is pronounced "Wa" and roughly translates as "harmony; peace; balance." This name for Japan originated in the 8th century, when Japanese scholars applied a new written character to replace the previous, Chinese-given name for their country.

Today, the idea that Japanese culture is based upon "wa" or harmony is a source of faith and pride for Japanese people. This character was chosen by The Hill-Side's Japanese business partner, who currently lives in Tokyo.

- US-made selvedge natural muslin
- 100% cotton, unwashed
- Hand-carved "Wa" woodblock print
- Fabric will soften and print will fade slightly when washed
- Selvedge along one edge
- Label constructed from USA-made natural cotton twill tape
- 13" x 13"

- Made in the USA (New York City)

100% of the $40 purchase price of this product will be donated to the International Rescue Committee


The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

At work today in over 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

The IRC is currently supporting the relief efforts of aid groups in Japan delivering critical supplies to survivors of the earthquake and tsunami.

NOTE: This donation will be given to the IRC as a non-earmarked gift. This means that some of the money donated may be used outside of Japan. We choose to donate in this manner because we trust the experts at the IRC to allocate funds where they are needed most. (Read about the benefits of non-earmarked donations here).

Due to a high volume of orders, your handkerchief may take up to one week to ship. We are currently in the process of printing our second run of "Wa" handkerchiefs to accommodate demand.