Masunaga is one of the essential names in Japanese eyewear. Its story began in Fukui in 1905, when Masunaga Gozaemon helped introduce frame manufacturing to the region as a new craft industry. That decision contributed to the growth of a district that would become known worldwide for precision, materials and a deep culture of detail.
Understanding Masunaga therefore means looking beyond the appearance of an individual frame. Each collection reflects an approach in which craft skills, technical control and proportion work together without unnecessary display.
Masunaga and the Birth of Eyewear Manufacturing in Fukui
At the beginning of the twentieth century, eyewear was not yet a characteristic Fukui industry. Masunaga Gozaemon invited specialist craftsmen from Osaka and encouraged a training system that could spread their knowledge throughout the area. The project was not limited to a single factory: it aimed to establish an entire local manufacturing culture.
This origin helps explain why the brand still places so much emphasis on continuity between design and production. A Masunaga frame is not simply a collection of separate operations. It is the result of coordinated stages that include shape development, component preparation, finishing, assembly, adjustment and inspection.
In 2025 Masunaga celebrated its 120th anniversary. Edition 120 brought together models including Lex, Radio City and MOC 004, 005 and 006, with special details and limited production: a contemporary expression of the story that began in Fukui in 1905.
What Distinguishes a Masunaga Frame
Eyewear quality does not depend on one material or an eye-catching finish. It depends on how every element works together: thickness, bridge, hinges, temple tips, weight distribution and stability on the face.
Masunaga collections include Japanese acetate frames, titanium designs and combined constructions. Acetate allows depth of colour, layered patterns and sculpted volume. Titanium makes it possible to create light, precise structures. Combined frames use both materials to achieve a visual and functional balance.
Less obvious details matter as well. Engravings, metal cores, decorative components and finishes are designed to reward a closer look without making the frame feel heavy. This sense of restraint, rather than a search for effect, is a defining part of Masunaga's design language.
The G.M.S. Line: Heritage and Contemporary Proportion
G.M.S. refers to the founder, Gozaemon Masunaga, and is central to the brand's identity. Its frames reinterpret classic proportions, frequently through clean profiles and precisely controlled technical details.
The G.M.S. family includes different constructions: all-titanium models, acetate frames and combined designs. It should not be understood as a single shape or material, but as an ongoing exploration of the brand's heritage through different measurements, bridges and geometries.
Among the models in the Frank Lo selection, Masunaga GMS 129T expresses the brand's essential, technical side, while Masunaga GMS 130P uses a combined construction with a stronger visual presence. Masunaga GMS 196 TN offers another interpretation of the collection's contemporary proportions.
Collaborations: Kenzo Takada, K3 and Kazuo Kawasaki
Masunaga has developed collaborations that expand its design vocabulary while remaining coherent with its manufacturing identity.
The relationship with Kenzo Takada began in 2011, when the designer discovered a Masunaga frame in a Paris eyewear shop. MASUNAGA designed by Kenzo Takada debuted in 2014, bringing Fukui manufacturing together with his creative world through colour contrasts, engravings and references to Japanese aesthetics. Following Kenzo Takada's death in 2020, the project continued with the K3 team.
The collaboration with Kazuo Kawasaki explores ergonomics, technology and structural purity. The Frank Lo selection includes models such as Masunaga x Kazuo Kawasaki ACT-12 C2 and other ACT variations.
These are not standard frames with a designer's name attached. They are projects in which different skills and points of view genuinely change the construction and identity of the eyewear.
An International Recognition: the Silmo d'Or
In 2015, the GMS-106 received the Silmo d'Or in the Optical Frame category. The design drew on 1930s and 1940s pilot glasses and reworked that reference through precision metalwork, engraved decoration and a combined bridge construction.
The award is a clear example of Masunaga's ability to use history without producing simple replicas: proportions from the past become the basis for a contemporary frame.
How to Choose Masunaga Eyewear
The best model is not necessarily the most noticeable one. It is the frame that creates the most natural relationship between the eyewear, the face and the way it will be worn. Consider a few practical elements before choosing.
Size and Bridge
Lens width, bridge measurement and temple length make it easier to compare a new frame with eyewear that already fits you well. The bridge is particularly important because it affects height, stability and the distance between the eyes and lenses. Read our guide to eyewear size, bridge and shape for a more detailed explanation.
Material
Titanium is often a good starting point for anyone looking for lightness and a discreet visual presence. Acetate is suited to those who appreciate colour, volume and a more tactile surface. Combined constructions bring the qualities of both materials together.
Shape and Everyday Use
A round, pantos or geometric shape changes not only the appearance of the face, but also the space available for prescription lenses. With particular prescriptions, it is useful to choose the size and construction with an optician so that aesthetics and function are considered together.
At Frank Lo in Rome, each frame can be tried and professionally adjusted. Online, photographs, measurements and descriptions help narrow the choice; for personal advice, you can contact the store before purchasing.
Masunaga at Frank Lo
Frank Lo selects Masunaga for the consistency between its history, manufacturing culture and design research. The collection includes optical and sun frames, G.M.S. models and collaborations, with availability changing over time.
Explore the Masunaga eyewear currently available, or visit Frank Lo at Via del Leone 8 in central Rome to compare shapes, materials and sizes in person.
Frequently Asked Questions About Masunaga Eyewear
Where is Masunaga eyewear made?
Masunaga was founded in Fukui in 1905 and is closely connected to the Japanese eyewear manufacturing tradition developed in the region.
Which materials does Masunaga use?
Its collections include Japanese acetate, titanium and combined constructions. Materials vary by model, so always check the individual product specifications.
What does G.M.S. mean?
The name refers to Gozaemon Masunaga, the brand's founder, and identifies a central line within the Masunaga collection.
Does Masunaga make sunglasses?
Yes. The catalogue includes both optical frames and sunglasses, as well as sun versions of selected families.
How do I choose the correct size?
Compare lens width, bridge and temple length with a frame that already fits comfortably. For a more precise assessment, especially with prescription lenses, an in-person fitting and professional adjustment are recommended.
