Tradition, Innovation, and the Beauty of Human Hands

At MUSUBISM, every furoshiki begins not with mass production, but with a vision—and with people who bring that vision to life with their own hands.

Our creation process is inspired by the elegant complexity of Edo-period Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, where each color is carved, layered, and pressed with precision and care.

In that spirit, MUSUBISM brings together modern artistry and traditional Japanese craftsmanship—ach role, each artisan, playing a vital part in the journey from imagination to cloth.

The Visionary – Like the Ukiyo-e Publisher

I, Miyoko Aoki, founder and designer of MUSUBISM, serve as the “hanmoto”—the Ukiyo-e publisher equivalent—overseeing the concept, design, production, and storytelling of every furoshiki.

My role is to connect people, nature, and seasons through meaningful design, collaborating with global artists to blend Japanese sensitivity with international creativity.

The Artists – Drawing Stories in Color

Together with a team of international designers, I translate emotion and season into visual poetry—blending my vision with their unique styles to bring each furoshiki to life. Though based abroad, each designer feels a deep connection to Japanese culture. Through collaboration, their voices weave into mine, creating a quiet harmony that reflects MUSUBISM’s global heartbeat.

  • Nikos Stratakis

    Greece, London Based

    Nikos Stratakis is a multidisciplinary designer based in London, known for his clean visual language and poetic minimalism. With a background in branding and typography, his work is influenced by the gentle light, textures, and architecture of the Greek isles. As the designer of the MUSUBISM logo, Nikos brings a refined sense of balance and timeless simplicity. His thoughtful approach helps shape the brand’s visual identity, blending tradition and modernity through design that speaks with quiet confidence.

  • Sabina Alcaraz

    Spain

    Sabina Alcaraz is a pattern designer and illustrator passionate about bright colors, organic shapes, and the beauty of nature. Inspired by the natural world, her work is full of life, energy, and movement. She enjoys playing with contrasts, textures, and dynamic compositions to express emotion and creativity in every design. Exploring both digital and handmade techniques, Sabina creates prints that tell a story and infuse each project with character and emotion. Her collaboration with MUSUBISM brings a vibrant and expressive spirit to our furoshiki collection.

  • Sabrina Barbuena

    Spain

    Sabrina Barbuena is a print designer and illustrator with over 10 years of experience in fashion and textile industries. She runs her own online studio, collaborating with artists to create unique prints for standout brands. Passionate about both creativity and mentoring, she supports emerging textile designers in building their own creative businesses. Sabrina transforms our hand-drawn ideas into beautiful digital artworks, bringing each furoshiki design to life with precision and style.

The Craftsmen – Where Skill Meets Soul

Like the horishi (carvers) and surishi (printers) of Ukiyo-e, our craftspeople translate our designs into physical beauty—each one specializing in a specific, vital part of the process.

Stencil Creation – The Carvers of Modern Cloth

Maeda Seihan
Kanagawa, Yokohama


Expertly creates detailed stencils that preserve the integrity of every line and shade. Without his precision, the print would lose its story.

Dyeing – A Legacy Handed Down Through Generations

Fukuda Nassen
Kanagawa, Ayase

Fukuda Nassen has practiced the art of hand-dyeing for over 40 years, across two generations. The brothers who now lead the workshop grew up watching their father work—absorbing his steady hands, his discipline, and his quiet sense of craft. Today, they carry on that legacy with unwavering dedication. Their workshop is the last of its kind in the Kanto region, keeping this disappearing tradition alive. Each furoshiki is dyed by hand, one color at a time—adjusted not by machines, but by intuition and experience, refined over decades. This is what gives MUSUBISM’s furoshiki their distinctive warmth and character—a texture that mechanical printing simply cannot replicate.

Sewing – The Final Stroke of Craft

Trendy Co., Ltd.
Tokyo, Edogawa


These artisans handle the cutting, sewing, and ironing of each piece, bringing every furoshiki to its final form with care and precision. We call them “Tsuzurishi”, a word we coined to honor this gentle yet essential step.

Like the binding of a book, their work brings harmony to the whole—the final touch that completes the story.

The Soul of Craftsmanship

Our artisans do not rush. They listen to the fabric, respect each step, and bring intention into every movement. Many have been at their craft for over 40 years. They wake up each day with a quiet determination: to make something better than yesterday.

This is not just skill.
It’s soul. It’s presence. It’s legacy.

Made with Heart, Made with Intention

Our furoshiki is not printed by machines and packed in silence. It is touched by hands. Guided by minds. Made with heart. And it is born from a place where Japanese tradition still breathes:

Yokohama Nassen, the dyeing technique that flourished over 120 years ago in my own hometown. Knowing that my creative roots connect to this place has only deepened my commitment to honoring its legacy.

From Our Hands to Yours

Every fold in a furoshiki carries not just a design, but the spirit of the people who made it possible. With MUSUBISM, you don’t just wrap something. You become part of a living story—one told through tradition, touched by time, and passed from hand to hand.