Manaka

My scent of the day today is Manaka (真那伽)! Manaka is a classification of agarwood designated for scent profiles which fall directly in the center of all other profiles. In this perfume, Yasuyuki uses this “center” to create an aura of self reflection, and self centering. Quite often, perfumes effect my mood consciously, as I force myself to “listen” to the notes and reflect on them; but very rarely is my subconscious “Id” altered. Wearing Manaka recalibrates my sense of self, and elevates me, lifting my mood up from within, like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. The notes of the perfume are simple. Agarwood, Jasmine, sandalwood, olibanum and touch of cedar. The scents blend together seamlessly, and culminate in an aura of mentholated, floral, crisp white wood. But the experience of Manaka is not about the notes. It is a meditation; a recalibration of your internal thoughts, and external stressors. When I spray this perfume on, I feel my mind cleansed, and my spirit elevated. This is the crown jewel of Yasuyuki’s creations in my opinion, and I am deterred to travel to Hokkaido someday soon in order to visit with Yasuyuki, as well as purchase a bottle of this mind-bending creation.

First I would remind you that Di Ser is another level regard to parfume as artform. By the composition of essences from nature, these are highly spiritual and meditative fragrances. I therefore use them with respect. Manaka opens with a smooth, natural and subtle jasmine. The woody base give the composition depth. The light and dark notes play on my skin in perfect harmony. The scent directly transport me into a zen mode. In this mode, words do not exist, just pure being. This review is just an atempt to give my opinion, but the fragrance must be experienced. Im so glad that there still is persons such as Mr. Shinohara creating these natural, spiritual parfumes. The world is a better place because of that.

Woody, slightly green Cedar coupled with Jasmine Silvery, almost citric Olibanum supporting, with a smooth and woody (not creamy) sandalwood farther back A soft kynam heart note throughout the composition This was a joy to wear. When I closed my eyes, I visualized a Ryokan...blissful and serene.

The natural perfumes of DI SER are all spiritual olfactory experiences in Zen and this latest offering is no exception. The names translates to a central point of spiritual ascension. The perfume has a central note of very rare and precious Kyara Oud which is surrounded by soft notes of olibanum, jasmine, cedar and sandalwood. The Kyara agarwood oil has no animalic qualities at all. The juice is a spare, lovely and austere experience which gently caresses your skin and senses and induces a state of meditative healing and nirvana. The perfume is notoriously rare and incredibly expensive because of the pure and rare natural ingredients. Right now available only direct from the perfumer. Mind blowingly amazing perfumery!