The Heart Behind Hanagasumi
Hanagasumi began as a quiet longing—for softness, for stillness, for something that could root me while living between cultures.
Based in Düsseldorf, Hanagasumi is a small, creative space where Japanese traditions are shared through sweets, tea, and kimono.
I invite you to slow down, to notice the subtle, and to craft beauty with your own hands. Whether you’re shaping nerikiri blossoms or brushing gold dust on a mochi moon, this is a space where care and creativity meet.
初めまして。
About
As someone studying the Japanese tea ceremony in the Urasenke tradition, I found myself deeply drawn to its seasonal awareness, the fleeting beauty, the care in every gesture. But I longed for a way to bring that spirit into daily life, to share it beyond the tatami room.
In wagashi, I found that bridge.
It began as a personal ritual: shaping small sweets by hand, guided by the seasons outside my window and the memories tucked away in my heart. Wagashi gave me a language I could speak across distance—a way to create moments of quiet joy, and to offer something meaningful to others.
Around the same time, I began to explore kimono.
There was a time when I knew absolutely nothing about it—not how to wear one, let alone how to fold it properly. Everything I know now comes from my time in tea practice and from the people I’ve met along the way—teachers, everyday kimono wearers, stylists, and artisans who live and breathe Japanese culture.
Each of them taught me something different. Their stories, their ways of moving, their philosophies—none of it came from a textbook, and yet all of it stayed with me.
Because I started out as a complete beginner, I understand how intimidating kimono can feel at first. That’s why I want to create a space that welcomes curiosity and quiet exploration.
Just as everyone has their own personal style, I believe kimono and wagashi can both become mirrors of who we are—gentle ways to reconnect with ourselves and with others.
Hanagasumi is that offering.
A soft mist of flowers. A pause in the rush.
A celebration of the tender, the ephemeral, the handmade.
Through this space, I hope to share not just sweets or garments, but a way of seeing—and savoring—the world.
About
Brief History
- 1993 – Born in Manila, Philippines
- 2005 – First used the internet and became interested in making websites. Also discovered anime and manga.
- 2009 – Started university and studied Multimedia Arts, majoring in 3D Design
- 2015 – Moved to Belgium to study Game Design
- 2017 – Moved to Germany to change universities and studied Information & Communication Design at Hochschule Rhein-waal
- 2021 – Started writing thesis about Japanese graphic design.
- 2022 – Graduated university in Germany and started working as a UX Designer. Also started doing nerikiri workshops.
- 2023 – Started learning tea ceremony (Urasenke)
- 2024 – Started Japanese culture brand: Biyori
Tell your story
Whether you’re curious about crafting wagashi, whisking matcha, or exploring the art of kimono in Düsseldorf—my workshops are a space to slow down, connect, and shape something beautiful with your hands.
Let’s share the season together.
