You know who has it bad? Zen monks. Day after day, steamed vegetables for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For dessert? Silence. In between meals, mindful floor-sweeping alternating with mindful sitting. And yet for some reason privileged Westerners idealize a lifestyle they'd sign Change.org petitions against if maximum-security felons had to endure it. Such is the power of a random flute solo.

Anyway. Let's talk about this tie, the Melancholy Monk. Like its brethren in our Spring Tieku Series, it's made from fabric we purchased from The Hillside. This one is indigo-dyed selvedge chambray, made in Okayama, Japan. Complete with original tieku, as illustrated here.

All in all, this plain, subtly textured tie is simple, centering, and, we suspect, far too fancy for a Zen monk. But maybe just right for you. Especially if you're in the mood to ponder the gap that always exists between the moment one hoped for and the moment that was. Ah, melancholy! We'll drink to that.

Details

• Fabric: 100% cotton; Japan
• Interlining: 100% wool; Italy
• Keeper: Original Taiku
• Width: Exactly 3 ⅛" at its widest point
• Length: Roughly 59"
• Hand-stitched throughout, including label & loop
• Made in USA