This japanese towel is dyed using traditional hand dyeing techniques unique to Japan called "Chusen".The back side is the same design.The back side is not white.You can use it without worrying about the front and back.
»About "Chusen"

≪ Design ≫

"Weights" ("Hundou")
This design is called the "weights design".
Weights are used to measure the weight of an object manually. These tools, used to weigh gold, silver, copper, and so on, were an auspicious motif since they symbolized wealth. The weights used were different from those common nowadays, as seen in this design.
Because it represents gold, it is used widely as an auspicious motif.
Moreover, on contemporary Japanese maps, it is used as a symbol to denote a bank.

≪ Color ≫

Bluish Purple (Shikon-iro)
The color is a deep navy blue with a purple tinge.
In ancient times the gromwell root was ground up to make this shade of purple, and was known as purple grass.
Since the Meiji era this shade has been known as bluish purple, and is famously the color of the pendant given to the winning high school baseball team.
Even now it is known as a high class color.