The craftsman behind every workshop started as a kid who saw a masked wrestler on television and couldn't stop thinking about how the mask was made. He taught himself the basics alone, then found a senior mask and costume maker in Tokyo willing to take him on and correct his work by hand. He kept a day job in corporate planning and sales for years before leaving it at 40 to make masks full time.
©NJPW
The last thing that gives a wrestler strength in the ring is the mask and the costume they wear.Hiroshi Tanahashi, President, New Japan Pro-Wrestling
What he's built since
His studio has produced masks and costumes worn by professional wrestlers across Japan's wrestling promotions, along with gear for idol groups, YouTubers, and stage performers. He has taught the craft to dozens of students over the years, several of whom now help run the workshop sessions. His work has been featured on NHK, in Nikkei, and in Nikkan Sports.
The Ryogoku studio
The workshop runs in PUKUPUKU Kobo's studio in Ryogoku, Tokyo — the same neighbourhood known for sumo, within walking distance of Ryogoku Station. The studio holds the same tools, fabrics and reference boards used for real mask orders, set out for guests during each session. On the January 2027 tour, everyone meets the guide at Ryogoku Station (West Exit) at 10:00, and the group starting with the workshop walks over together. Directions are on the Access page.
Why he still teaches it himself
Plenty of mask orders could be delegated. He teaches the workshop in person because the moment a guest's own mask comes together, cut and fitted by their own hands under his correction, is the part he built this whole business to get to.
Studio: TANAKA Building 401, 1-6-1 Chitose, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0025 · Questions: send us a message