In our continuing coverage of all things Japanese Star Wars, we thought we'd highlight a category we can all agree has been overlooked by fandom for far too long -- tea towels.

Well, maybe "overlooked" isn't entirely accurate -- they've never actually existed until now. Sure, they're utilitarian, and no, they don't feature 20 points of articulation, but they may just prompt a few Star Wars fans to volunteer for KP duty.

Japan's Heart Art Collection, Ltd., who recently graced the world with the irresistible R2-D2 and R4-P17 trash cans, now unveils a set of eight stellar tea towels which may just transcend their modest utilitarian function to qualify as, dare we say, art?

The eight towels, which measure approximately 15"x35", include some wonderful Japanese-inspired Star Wars imagery, such as R2-D2 jettisoning over a traditional Mount Fuji with ocean waves woodcut, a clone trooper helmet doubling as a Japanese shrine bell, Artoo and Threepio under a cherry blossom tree, Vader and Yoda amid intricate scrollwork patterns, and more.

We have a feeling most of these will never come near a drop of water, much less serve dish duty. No, most of these are likely destined for cushy living room frames over the fireplace, objects of endless speculation and admiration. Talk about rags to, well, you know.

And since of course you’re curious, we’ve asked our licensing agent in Japan, Ken Ogawa, to translate some of the towel text for us (starting at upper left):

• Shrine Bells: "Bow twice, clap twice and bow once again. (Shinto bowing and clapping rituals); and a prayer for victory”
• Flying Artoo: "Mount Fuji”
• Cherry blossom droids: "This is a Japanese traditional fixed form of verse called Tanka. The meaning of this verse is that C-3PO is always swayed by R2-D2 who is small but stubborn to accomplish the purposes earnestly.”
• Characters on gray: Stormtrooper – "Attack”; R2-D2 – "Friend”; Yoda – "Master”; Vader – "Power”; C-3PO – "Loyalty”
• Stormtroopers on white: "A hit-to-kill shot”

For good measure, we're also sharing a couple items from Heart we think are pretty cool in a "why don't we get this stuff" kinda way: Astromech pepper mills and shampoo bottles.

Did you ever doubt this plucky little droid series wouldn't infiltrate every aspect of our lives?