MOONCASTLE is a brand rooted in tradition and built for the future. Founded in 2020 by Ryoichi Tsukishiro, the third-generation owner of Tsukishiro Knitting Co., Ltd., a respected knitwear factory established in 1966 in Osaka, Japan, MOONCASTLE blends decades of craftsmanship with a modern sensibility. For over fifty years, Tsukishiro Knitting Co. quietly produced high-quality knitwear for other brands, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought a turning point—leading to the creation of MOONCASTLE, a brand that takes ownership of its own future and celebrates timeless, well-crafted designs.

With a focus on subtlety and longevity, MOONCASTLE is all about creating knitwear that remains relevant through the years, refined season after season. The brand is not about chasing trends but about offering garments that fit seamlessly into your everyday life—combining comfort, durability, and sophistication.

As we prepare to introduce MOONCASTLE to our customers for SS25, we’re excited to share their philosophy, distinctive materials, and commitment to quality craftsmanship. If you’re looking for pieces that are understated yet truly special, we believe MOONCASTLE is a brand you’ll come to appreciate over time.

We had the pleasure of interviewing the team behind MOONCASTLE to dive deeper into the brand’s journey and philosophy—check out the full interview below to learn more about what makes MOONCASTLE so special.

Can you give us some background on the brand and how it all began?

MOONCASTLE was founded in 2020 by Ryoichi Tsukishiro, the third-generation owner of Tsukishiro Knitting Co., Ltd., a knitwear factory established in 1966 in Osaka, Japan. For over five decades, our factory has been dedicated to producing high-quality knitwear, working behind the scenes to supply garments for various brands. While we built a strong reputation for craftsmanship, we were always in a supporting role—until everything changed in 2020.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the entire fashion industry was hit hard. Orders from our clients drastically declined, and for the first time in our company’s history, we faced an uncertain future. It became clear that if we wanted to survive, we couldn’t rely solely on contract manufacturing—we had to take control of our own destiny.

How would you describe the philosophy behind MOONCASTLE? Is there a particular influence that guides the brand and its collections each season?

At MOONCASTLE, we don’t chase trends. Our philosophy is to create knitwear that feels relevant today but remains timeless for decades to come. We are committed to traditional craftsmanship, ensuring that each piece is made with care and precision, while also considering how knitwear fits into the modern lifestyle.

Rather than constantly changing materials, we carefully select high-quality yarns that stand the test of time. Each season, instead of following fleeting trends, we refine and evolve our designs—always staying true to our core values of durability, comfort, and craftsmanship.

The knitwear is quite minimalist, with a strong emphasis on color choices. How would you characterize that approach?

Knitwear has been around for a long time and is incredibly versatile—it can either be the focal point of an outfit or play a supporting role. Our designs are minimalist and simple, which is why we place such a strong emphasis on color. We aim for our knitwear to add a subtle twist to everyday fashion through thoughtful color choices. In that sense, we aspire to be the perfect supporting actor in our customers’ wardrobes!

I understand the MOONCASTLE factory in Osaka has been in operation since 1966. Can you tell us more about the factory? Does it use old or modern machinery, or a mix of both?

If modern machines are more efficient and produce cleaner results, we actively invest in new technology. We always consider both cost and quality, as both are important to our customers. Our goal is to strike the right balance—delivering high-quality knitwear at a fair price. We believe that clinging too much to traditional methods at the expense of affordability isn’t the right approach. Instead, we blend craftsmanship with innovation to create products that are both accessible and exceptional.

For our first collection, we’ve chosen some of your Ice Cotton pieces. Can you tell us more about what Ice Cotton is and how it’s made?

Yes, Ice Cotton is our most iconic material, popular across all seasons. Given that summers in Asia are long, hot, and humid, breathability is the most important factor in summer knits—which is why Ice Cotton has become our best-selling fabric. What makes it special is the unique spinning process. The yarn is twisted to an exceptional degree, a technique only our partner, Spoerry, can achieve. This high-twist structure gives the fabric a natural cool-to-the-touch effect, making it perfect for warm climates. The mechanism behind this coolness is similar to how concrete or iron feels cold when you touch it. The denser the material, the cooler it feels. Ice Cotton’s high-density structure creates a similar effect, providing a crisp, refreshing touch against the skin. However, this yarn is very difficult to knit, and only a few skilled knitters can work with it consistently. This makes Ice Cotton pieces even more special and rare.

What do you hope your customers will take away from their experience with MOONCASTLE products?

Our designs and materials may seem simple at first glance, but we put great care into every detail of our products. I believe the true quality of MOONCASTLE pieces becomes evident over time—perhaps after one or two seasons of wear. If, after some time, our customers find themselves thinking, “MOONCASTLE is really nice,” that would make us incredibly happy!