Space Brothers x Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten: Traditional Crafts Inspired by the Universe

“Space Brothers” fans can now hold a piece of the cosmos in their hands. A new collaboration between the manga and Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten brings traditional Japanese crafts inspired by space, starry skies, and the bond between brothers. The limited-edition items will be available from September 16, 2026, at Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten stores nationwide.

The manga “Space Brothers” (Uchuu Kyoudai) by Koyama Chuuya has been serialized in Morning (Kodansha) since 2007. It follows Mutta, who dreams of becoming an astronaut after turning 30, and his younger brother Hibito, who achieves that dream first and lands on the moon. The story, which also portrays the people supporting them, concluded with the 46th volume in July 2026 after about 18 years.

The collaboration brings together the ever-evolving world of space and the craftsmanship that Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten has long cherished. Though innovation and tradition may seem opposite, both are built on accumulated techniques and the human drive to turn dreams into reality. The project aims to express the challenges of the unknown depicted in “Space Brothers” through Japanese artisan skills.

Blown Glass: Moon and Earth Cups

Created by Sugawara Kogei Garasu, based in Kujukuri, Chiba Prefecture, the “Uchuu Kyoudai Fukigarasi Tsukiji Sakazuki” are two blown-glass cups representing the moon and Earth. They use a technique called “void,” developed over about 10 years, which creates crater-like textures by reacting a small amount of baking soda. Each piece is unique, with a golden moon that catches light and an Earth that shifts from blue to green when viewed from inside.

The natural variations in the glass ensure that no two cups are alike. The moon glows gold under light, while the Earth changes color from blue to green when seen from within—a small universe that transforms in your palm.

Echizen Lacquerware: Brothers’ Cups

From Arai Masadou in Fukui Prefecture, known for high-grade lacquerware and tea utensils, comes the “Uchuu Kyoudai Echizen Shikki Kyoudai Sakazuki.” These lacquered cups depict scenes from the original manga using raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) and maki-e (sprinkled picture) to represent stars. Each shell piece is applied by hand, and the black lacquer with delicate sparkle evokes a mysterious cosmic space.

The cups offer a special experience: as you tilt them while gazing at the starry patterns that change with the viewing angle, you can enjoy a drink as if you were looking at Earth alongside Mutta and Hibito.

Seto Ware: Clay Dolls of the Brothers

Seto Tougeisha, which has been making ceramic dolls in Seto, Aichi Prefecture, since 1951, crafted the “Uchuu Kyoudai Seto Yaki Kyoudai Tsuchi Ningyou.” These dolls of Mutta and Hibito are not precise figure replicas but rather warm, simple forms that highlight the charm of ceramics. They feature hand-painted details, including the small “N.MUTTA” text and marks on the spacesuits, with slight variations that add character.

The dolls come with a screen depicting Earth and a special base, making them a delightful addition to any collection.

Pouches and Glasses Case

The “Uchuu Kyoudai Comic Pouch” and “Card Pouch” for both Mutta and Hibito are based on the manga covers, with starry space printed by Kyoto’s Hisayama Kousen using hand screen printing, and the brothers embroidered on top. The comic pouch fits manga volumes, while the card pouch is sized for business cards or IC cards.

The “Uchuu Kyoudai Megane Case” also features the same design and includes a logo-printed cleaning cloth inside.

Fukin Cloths with Glow-in-the-Dark Stars

Two types of cloths feature quotes from the series: the “Hoshi ga Kagayaku Hana Fukin” (with collections of heartwarming and funny quotes) and the “Hoshi ga Kagayaku Kayaori Fukin” (same quote collections). Both have star-shaped glow-in-the-dark prints that reveal a starry background in the dark. The Hana Fukin is a thin, large cloth made of two layers of cotton mosquito netting, known for absorbency and quick drying, with over 4.8 million sold since 1995.

The Kayaori Fukin is a durable five-layer version that softens with use and is ideal for daily kitchen tasks.

Availability and Pricing

The collaboration items will be available from September 16, 2026, at 10:00 on the Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten online shop and the official “Space Brothers” online store. Some items are limited to one per customer.

Note: The three items marked with an asterisk are limited to one per customer.