A Fragrant Introduction

In the early summer of 2006, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with perfume industry experts on two separate occasions.

First, a perfumer from Takasago International Corporation, and then, a perfume buyer from Isetan department store.
Though these were separate interviews for different media, hearing their professional insights opened a door into the endlessly deep world of fragrance culture for me.
From the perspective of fragrance professionals, I am merely an amateur, a lover of perfume.
However, I intend to maintain that amateur viewpoint here, cherishing it as I write.

One of the things I noticed while being immersed in the specialized vocabulary of the perfumer and the buyer was the "gap in language between fragrance experts and general consumers."

When I listened to general consumers describe perfumes, it was an outpouring of subjective terms like "I like it," "It stinks," "It smells mature," "It's alluring," or "It smells youthful." Of course, perfume appeals to personal senses, so I believe that's perfectly fine.

On the other hand, reading press releases often left me feeling uninspired, with descriptions that were too abstract or simply lists of chemical compounds in katakana.

My stance, as a "wordsmith," is to bridge this gap, however slightly, and to introduce the culture surrounding fragrance in a way that is engaging and rich.

By interviewing experts, attempting fragrance reviews, sharing historical anecdotes from the world of perfume, and introducing fascinating books about scent, I hope to share what I, as a "student," have learned and enjoyed along the way.
I sincerely welcome your advice and guidance.

Thank you for your kind attention.