Heritage
A house, in its own words
Arinobu Fukuhara opened Japan's first Western‑style pharmacy in Ginza in 1872, naming the venture Shiseido after a phrase from The Tale of Genji that means “praise the sunrise.” The early shop sold imported medicines and cosmetics, introducing Japanese consumers to modern formulations. In 1900 Fukuhara traveled to the Paris World Exhibition, where he observed European drugstores and absorbed ideas about packaging, branding and scent. That trip inspired Shiseido to incorporate Western perfume techniques while retaining a Japanese aesthetic. The company launched its first fragrance, Eau de Shiseido, in 1916, marking the start of a perfume line that would expand throughout the twentieth century. The 1970s saw the release of Inoui, a modern scent that reflected the era’s shift toward lighter, more airy compositions. The 1990s added Bravas and Basala, fragrances that combined bold accords with refined Japanese sensibility. In the 2000s Shiseido introduced Rose Royale, a floral tribute that highlighted the brand’s continued interest in classic notes. The early 2010s brought the Mizu no Ka series (2011, 2012), a duo that explored water‑inspired freshness using contemporary techniques. Throughout its history Shiseido has maintained a dual focus on scientific research and artistic expression, establishing a fragrance laboratory in Paris that works alongside its Tokyo headquarters. The brand celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022, underscoring a legacy that blends tradition with ongoing innovation. Shiseido states that beauty originates inside a person and is expressed outward through a blend of art and science. This belief guides its approach to fragrance, where each scent is treated as a sensory extension of emotion rather than a mere product. The company emphasizes respect for nature, careful ingredient selection and a commitment to sustainability. Creative teams are encouraged to draw on Japanese cultural motifs while also listening to global trends, resulting in compositions that balance subtlety with clarity. Collaboration with external perfumers is seen as a way to introduce fresh perspectives, yet every project must align with the brand’s core value of harmony between tradition and modernity. Quality, transparency and a sense of responsibility to both consumers and the environment shape the decision‑making process from concept to launch.
