Fumu Flat Cotton Shoelaces

Fumu laces are made in Asakusa, Tokyo, a traditional shoe-making district with roots dating back to the 18th century in the Meiji Era.
Asakusa rose to prominence when the Danzaemon, an active leather trader, set up a shoe factory and received huge orders of military shoes. During those days, leather workers belonged to the marginalised caste called Eta (full of filth) or Hinin (non-human). It was not until 1871 that they were liberated along with the abolishment of feudalism during the Meiji Restoration. Today, Asakusa is more known as a tourist attraction but shoe making continues to thrive in the northern area, unnoticed by most tourists.