KITOWA

Created in 2018, Kitowa was developed using natural oils extracted from traditional Japanese woods. The fragrances of these comforting woody scents have a noble presence, deeply rooted in the life of the Japanese. Kitowa seeks to create new work that continues the legacy and heritage of Japan’s 450 year old incense culture.

Master perfumer Tatsushi Horita has been working in fragrance for over 40 years. He started his career at a domestic fragrance company in Japan before moving on to a fragrance company overseas, then on to a major cosmetic company, and has now been a perfumer with internationally renowned Japanese incense and incense-based fragrance company Nippon Kodo since April 2017.

“I want to create fragrances that many people from overseas would be willing to purchase thinking, ‘this’ is Japanese fragrance. Japanese culture has a 1,400 year history in fragrance, which is a grand asset. Modern perfumes in Europe started around the 15-16th century, so their history is surprisingly short. It would be a blessing to take part in creating work that could express the wonderful Japanese fragrance culture.” — Tatsushi Horita