What is Marumizu-Gumi?
MARUMIZU-GUMI is a bookbinding studio in Tokyo, founded by Nao Inoue, an expert in hand bookbinding.
We make custom books, run hands-on lessons, and offer materials and tools for anyone who loves bookbinding.
Our Mission
Make your dreams come true through hand bookbinding
At MARUMIZU-GUMI, we provide high-quality bookbinding materials, tools, and techniques for book lovers worldwide.
We craft books using a blend of industrial methods, handcraft skills, and traditional techniques.
Our mission is to celebrate hand bookbinding in modern life and share its joy, creativity, and the richness of Japanese materials, tools, craftsmanship, and culture with everyone.
Business Operations
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Production: Creation of artistic, one-of-a-kind works such as fine leather bindings, specially bound photo books, museum and archive boxes, exhibition replicas, and reprinted editions.
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Retail & Development: Sales and development of bookbinding materials and tools, including the revival of discontinued items, as well as technical support, collaboration, and project management for printing, publishing, and bookbinding companies.
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Education: Operation of classes and workshops to pass on bookbinding skills, foster craftsmanship, and support future artisans.
Instructors
Nao Inoue , Director of Marumizu-gumi
Representative of Marumizu
She is engaged in trial and error to find a way to spread hand bookbinding and to communicate the fun and richness of hand bookbinding from a variety of angles. She has participated in the bookbinding competition held in Macerata, Italy. She was honored to be selected as one of the 125 masters.
history
- 1973
- Born in Gyoda City, Saitama prefecture
- 1997-2002
- Studio LIVRE
- 1998
- 125MAESTRI Rilegatori per L’infinito Prize winner (Italy)
- 2000
- Private Exhibition at Gallery ART SPACE
- Opened craft center at home(Marumizu-Gumi)
- 2001
- Marumizu-Gumi ProductsProduction Start
- 2002
- Opening Marumizu-Gumi Web site
- 2003
- Marumizu-Gumi Store retail and wholesale business started
- Jan. 2006
- Marumizu-Gumi’s shop and the craft center launch operations at Maeno cho, Itabashi-ku
- Apr. 2007
- Established course outside the office
- Dec. 2007
- Marumizu-Gumi moved to the new office (Minami Tokiwadai, Itabashi-ku)
- 2017
- Opened English and Traditional Chinese websites
- 2020
- Launched “Marumizu Channel” on YouTube
- 2022
- Joined the Itabashi Branch of the Tokyo Printing Industry Association
Instructors at Marumizu-gumi
All our instructors are trained in the spirit of Marumizu-gumi and teach with confidence.
- Nao Inoue — Teaches all courses at Marumizu-gumi, including lessons for overseas students.
- Aine Uemura— Also known as “Yon-ne,” active in various organizations teaching bookbinding.
- Yukari Yasuda — Miniature bookbinding artist, specializing in events and external lessons such as libraries.
- Hataoridori — Desktop publishing teacher and webmaster of the Marumizu-gumi site, with a geeky passion for tech and details.
Copyrights
The copyright holder for all of the copy, photographs, illustrations, text, and other contents contained in Marumizu-Gumi is Nao Inoue of Marumizu-Gumi.
The contents cannot be used without the permission of the copyright holder.
Persons wishing to introduce, reference, reprint, or otherwise use the contents are asked to first contact Marumizu-Gumi.
This does not apply to the personal use of the contents by customers.
Personal Information
Personal information obtained by questions, orders, or other inquiries sent to Marumizu-Gumi will be properly managed.
In addition, personal information will not be disclosed to a third party without the permission of the customer.
However, this does not apply to disclosure required by law or by governmental organizations.
Indemnity
Marumizu-Gumi shall not be held responsible in any manner for and damages (direct or indirect) sustained by the customer through the use of MARUMIZU-GUMI.