Takashimaya

I am reviewing the Neil Morris parfum Garden of the Heart of Heaven, a LE release of 50 bottles through American Perfumer. The notes listed are the same as Takashimaya, so I am assuming it is the same perfume or nearly the same. It is a parfum, so initial spray is quite intense and almost overpowering. After an hour or so, the tea and bamboo are present, with lush flowers in the background. It develops throughout the day from airy green and flowers to something deeper yet still transparent. Very well balanced. Not sweet, unisex. I think it could be worn in all 4 seasons, but no more that a half spray in the summertime. From the American Perfumer website for Garden of the Heart of Heaven: Neil Morris - Neil Morris Fragrances Neil: "I was honored to have been asked by Takashimaya New York to create a fragrance for them. I wanted to create a scent that would encompass the beauty and serenity of Japanese culture and also incorporate the stylish sophistication of Fifth Avenue. When I originally composed it, I found inspiration at the Japanese garden at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Dave knew this and arranged for us to meet there to discuss it joining his edition program. The name of the garden is "Tenshin-en," which means "Garden of the Heart of Heaven." It's a design that I'm very proud of so I'm thrilled to have it find a new home at American Perfumer after all these years." Dave: Originally composed in 2008 for the Manhattan branch of luxury Japanese retailer Takishimaya, the design was set aside when the store closed in 2010. With its array of classic Japanese notes filtered through a pre-war French lens, this design has long been a favorite of mine, and it's my great pleasure to now present it as part of our edition program. Garden of the Heart of Heaven Notes: Aldehydes, Mandarin orange, bergamot, black currant, bamboo, orchid, narcissus, cherry blossom, Japanese green tea, plum blossom, oak, tonka bean, orris root, agarwood (oud) and cedar.

I have been nursing a sample of this for a few years now. Got it at the Takashimaya store in NYC back when it still existed. It's a heady oriental fragrance that is mature and sophisticated. It's something I picture a Grand Dame wearing. This is not a youthful perfume, and belongs in a cut crystal bottle, on a mirrored tray, in a budoir. Definitely get the Japanese influence, but it's not pandering with blatant notes like ginger and rice. I don't have a trained nose, and when I look at the notes I have trouble discerning them from the scent. Is this what aldehydes add? There is definitely a Chanel No. 5 quality to it. But, this could also be attributed to the age of my sample. On me, the woods come through very dominantly especially the oud. It had a noticeable powdery note. And I think I used to be able to smell the currants, but don't anymore. I guess I pick up the bamboo and orris. However, and much of the complexity is lost. If you manage to find this, check it out. But I don't think it ages well or is consistent across body chemistry.

So very pretty. I tried this today at Takashimaya and I loved it. This a scent that starts delicate and playful. The fruity topnotes aren't sweet and candy-like but rather light and almost fresh. The florals give the feeling of a japanese garden that I think he was going for, and rounding it out is the wood and resin that again play into the Japanese theme with a nod to temple incense.

I am a massage therapist and I had a client come in wearing this cologne. I really enjoyed how this cologne was floral and woody at the same time. My client had noted that he was wearing this cologne for the entire day, so the smell is very long lasting. After the massage was over, my hands smelled of this wonderful cologne and I just hated to wash my hands afterwards lol.