Basala

First tried this circa 1994, when Egoïste was the main scent-track to my life, and was sufficiently enchanted by its mysterious allure that Basala joined the rotation. For Shiseido, Basala was a big step up from Tactics, their previous men's fragrance (still available in Japan): Basala was a philosophical statement as much as an aesthetic declaration inspired by the way of the Samurai (Bushido) and its seminal text, The Book of Five Rings. A few years back was fortunate to find a first edition - "Basara" - at a reasonable price from an Italian vendor - for a bit of sensory time travel. The very first edition was "Basara", subsequently renamed "Basala". [A difference that does not exist in Japanese since "L" and "R" share the same characters in Japanese syllabaries and are written and pronounced exactly the same] Basara/Basala came out one year after the legendary Fémininité du Bois and its vivid scarlet compliments the rose-plum pink palette of FdB, so the full Shiseido product line for both FdB and Basala - including ancillary products like aftershave, deodorants, moisturisers, shower gel, self-tanning cream, etc. - made an eye-catching in-store display of crimson and pink Basala’s distinctive flacon was designed by Marc Newson, which he describes as “an anthropomorphic torso-like shape” - it reminds me of the classic Mitsouko bottle and was presumably intended to complement Serge Lutens’ similarly anthropomorphic flacon for FdB, likened to a woman’s torso. One thing I enjoy about Basara is its distinctive nature - it is unusual, innovative, and changes direction as it evolves, as if to defy attempts to categorise or pigeon-hole it since it doesn’t quite conform to stereotypes. It’s not traditionally aromatic, floral, woody, spicy, Oriental, Chypre, or Fougere, but a hybrid - a sensory mosaic of beautiful things. Basala is elegant sophistication - to my mind a tribute to the Samurai fascination with fragrance as both a sensory pleasure and one of the attributes of refinement (Kodo, the way of incense, was one of the five noble arts of Samurai culture). Basala's complexity and harmony is apparent in the way it evolves: first aromatic, then floral, spices, amber, resins, leather, oakmoss and wood, like a sensory kaleidoscope. A great example of the fine art of perfumery and a worthy companion to the iconic Fémininité du Bois with its Christopher Sheldrake-Serge Lutens pedigree. If only Basala shared FdB’s incredible performance and epic longevity. Basala makes me feel confident and serene, and elicits both curiosity and compliments from other people, a sensory pleasure for wearer and entourage alike. The dry down is lovely - an elegant pre-IFRA woody-amber-oakmoss. In Samurai Japan, the Sakura (cherry blossom) was revered as a metaphor for success (according to the Samurai philosophy of Bushido) quiet diligence blossoming into a brief but glorious and dazzlingly beautiful zenith - Basala is an olfactory Sakura that blossoms into beauty and magnificence. Basala is like a unicorn, or a rare and priceless diamond, a TARDIS in a scarlet bottle that takes me back to the days when I was young and hopeful. Admittedly my love for this fragrance is greatly affected by nostalgia and euphoric recall so this review is entirely subjective and extremely biased, nevertheless it really is sublime. Nowadays the Issey Miyake label is the primary focus of Shiseido’s men’s fragrance business, yet Basala is a timeless example of eternal style, a classy, quintessentially Japanese gentleman's fragrance, an incarnation of Bushido aesthetic values and an allusion to the five noble arts of Samurai culture. As a long-discontinued icon it's rarer than hen's teeth and, sadly, more expensive than platinum, so unless you have loads of money the only practical (and affordable) way to try it nowadays is via a decant, sample or mini.

This week I managed to get a pristine, vintage first edition of this beautiful fragrance - when it was first released it was called "Basara" - and it really is bewitching, sexy and extremely beautiful. An elixir like this is so wonderfully blended that the effect is one of sublime harmony and balance. Basara / Basala evokes the ancient Japanese art of Kodo - the incense ceremony - an intricate olfactory pleasure which (for me) elicits thoughts of luxury and comfort. A sophisticated fragrance opening with subtle aromatic, spice and floral notes, becoming a woody and oakmossy amber, but so unlike anything else that words don't really suffice. Basara is in some ways a paradox and the overall effect is one of rich, dignified elegance, of exquisite luxury and comfort, and of "dignitas" in the Ancient Roman sense. It is the embodiment of refined masculine sophistication, confidence and dignity, like a Samurai warlord. To my mind the epitome of the art of perfumery is the creation of fragrances whose components combine and develop in harmony to create a "symphony" and in my humble opinion Basara is one of the finest examples of an olfactory symphony. This has not dated in any way since it never conformed to any prevailing trend in the first place, so it remains timeless, a rare gem of superlative beauty and is without doubt one of the Crown Jewels of my collection.

Oh my this was magnificent! There is absolutely nothing quite like it. I brought this back from Europe in the mid-nineties, and being in my 20's I loved it, but perhaps a bit too much for me then. My roommate quite rightly stole it from me, lol and we both would love to get our hands on some today, but it's nearly impossible. This was indeed a true masculine floral herbal oriental spicebomb! The middle notes of caraway, cinnamon and carnation particularly stand out to me in my memory of this masterpiece. The bottle, by Marc Newson, is also noteworthy being by one of the most famous designers in the world. Not sure why he is not noted in the Fragrantica description.

It smells very unique, woodsy and sensous, it was a break through in the years that Basala was launched, goes without saying that it is one of the first avant garde perfumes in mass production perfume history, allthough counts to designer category by label , it would easily beat many niche and artisanal perfumes today, if it wasn't discontinued. (Sad but true) the carnation-oakmoss combo is incredible, smells mindblowingly authentic, and the patchouli-musk-coconut base defines the solid signature base of that masterfully crafted recipee. An absolute master piece, luckily I still can find it in vintage perfume shops.

Well! Basara was my husband's favourite perfume - and mine on him!! It was exquisite. It's such a tragedy that it is not made any more. It was the most gorgeous, unique, divine, sensual, luxurious, glorious, warm, oriental, sweet, spicy, herby, opulent, masculine, smooth, creamy, heavenly fragrance. Oh how we wish they still made it!!! And the bottle is the most gorgeous creation ever!!! Such a fabulous colour and shape, and so beautiful to hold. We have it on display (the empty bottle, sob...sob!) in our home, and I love gazing at it, and handling it. It's so beautifully made. Bottle and perfume: a masterpiece!!!