Koto

White chypre. The clean and bright aldehyde fragrance is concurrent, like a cold light reflected by a mirror. The sour and refreshing citrus fragrance is refreshing. A moment of bitterness. The burning incense is faint, trickling, and in the smoke, small lily of the valley flickering, far and near, the smoke gradually separates the illusory space. Patchouli and musk base are salty, so Koto is no longer indifferent and has residual warmth. The creamy gardenia flowers are creamy and sweet, and the iris roots are light and soft, covering the young and beautiful faces of the geisha with a thin layer of pale powder. Indifferent, gentle, harmonious, simple and ethereal, Koto is an extension of the aesthetic consciousness of Japanese culture, and Shiseido is good at interpreting Eastern aesthetics through olfactory paths. Koto, released in 1967, was available in EdC and Parfum and was only available in Japan until 1985, when Koto was sold in the international market, and Parfum was removed from shelves after the packaging was changed.

A blind buy that I'm very happy to have found. I get moss, light green florals, and the base gets a touch powdery. Very well blended- genteel/refined but in a happy & non-pretentious way. Very strong for an EDC- but not loud. Non soapy. If you like Y , Le Temps d'un Fete, Sabi or floral/green/chypre in general, give Koto a spritz.

Great blind buy, one-of-a-kind. Edit: First note is a bit bitter. but turns soft after a hour or so. Staying power is better than expected. I sprayed one day on wrists and body before work, and it lasts till after 5pm.

My first acquaintance with Koto was in a department store in Tokyo in the 80ies. Back then, Koto was almost 20 years old already but of course I wasn't aware of this. I liked it a lot but didn't purchase, probably because of a limited travel budget. I always remembered this scent but never saw it again until last year, in a Swedish online store (!) and now I finally have a bottle. As far as I can recall, it smells exactly the same. Although Koto includes strong notes like narcissus and leather, the Eau de Cologne concentration makes this scent different from other classic chypres. When my wrists demand chypre and the situation requires something quiet, this is the obvious choice.

This screams Earthy! If you like fragrances such as Aromatics Elixir, Rochas Femme, or even Vol de Nuit then I believe you’ll like this. Now all of those are Chypre fragrances but they are all different in there own way. This fragrance is truly amazing. But if you aren’t used to Chypre fragrances like which I’m not. Then you may have a hard time liking this. Chypre fragrances are love it or hate it for me. I don’t care for Vol de Nuit or Rochas Femme but I love Aromatics Elixir. I wouldn’t blind buy this if you have a hard time with Chypres but if you love them and want to give this a go. Go right ahead and blind buy this.