Musou Black

Black anodized aluminum looks matte black, but in the near-infrared it reflects more than 80% of light. Here is what our measurements showed, and how a thin FINESHUT SP lining stops the resulting stray light.

What makes something truly black? It comes down to reflectance, not just absorption. Discover the physics behind blackness, how it's measured, and why Musou Black Fabric KIWAMI's 0.1% reflectance makes it the world's blackest fabric.

Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties is using ultra-black materials like KIWAMI Fabric and IR Flock Sheet to reduce measurement noise during hyperspectral imaging and cultural preservation research. By suppressing unwanted light reflections in visible and near-infrared wavelengths, these advanced optical materials improve spectral accuracy when analyzing delicate artifacts, textiles, paper, pigments, and historical materials. Discover how ultra-black fabrics are helping researchers achieve cleaner, more precise non-destructive analysis for museums, conservation labs, and imaging applications.

Compare black-coated foils and IR Flock Sheet for optical applications. Learn how they differ in reflectance, durability, cost, and infrared performance to choose the right material for stray-light suppression in aerospace and testing environments.

Simulating space on Earth isn’t just about darkness—it’s about controlling the right wavelengths. Learn how VL Flock Sheet creates visual darkness for human eyes, while IR Flock Sheet minimizes infrared reflections for sensors, helping you choose the right material for optical testing and simulation environments.

Musou Black's VL Flock Sheet is being used in advanced space research environments, including celestial tracking experiments during flyby missions and spacecraft attitude determination studies. By suppressing stray and reflected light to extreme levels, the material enables highly accurate imaging and measurement under simulated space conditions. This technology supports cutting-edge satellite and planetary research at leading Japanese universities, helping recreate optical environments comparable to outer space.

A high-precision spectrophotometer, the JASCO V-780, is now used at Musou Black to measure accurate reflectance and transmittance from visible to near-infrared wavelengths. This upgrade streamlines product development, improves quality control across materials, and enables more advanced technical support through precise optical data.

The Musou Black ruler is engineered for clear visibility even under strong sunlight or direct lighting. Perfect for outdoor documentation, surveying, structural inspections, and scientific photography. Its glare-free surface ensures measurement markings stay sharp and readable in any environment—ideal for professionals who need reliable reference scaling in photos.

Tokyo Polytechnic University’s robot club, Karakuri Kobo, introduced a stealth advantage in the All-Japan Robot Sumo Tournament by using Fineshut KIWAMI, an advanced infrared-absorbing sheet. By reducing detection from infrared sensors, the material showcased new possibilities in competitive robotics. Although the team competed in the 500g autonomous class without advancing to nationals, their innovative use of stealth technology highlights the future of robot sumo and advanced materials.

Discover Our Industrial Laser Processing Service for Custom Non-Reflective Black Parts

Struggling with reflection issues in optical or industrial applications? Our laser processing service provides precision cutting for black, non-reflective materials—perfect for optical devices, AR markers, and prototyping. Using Fineshut, a durable ether-based polyurethane foam, we deliver custom laser-cut parts with no minimum order quantity, ensuring fast turnaround for small-lot production.

We also offer non-reflective markers, ideal for AR applications, with superior readability under challenging light conditions. Trusted by leading manufacturers like TAKISAWA Co., Ltd., our solutions improve accuracy, reduce glare, and maintain high optical performance.

Start your project today with easy quoting through our downloadable Laser Cut Calculation Sheet and enjoy precision, durability, and flexibility in every cut.