Featuring Santal with Sandalwood and Orchidée Expressing the Scent of Orchids

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of its group company ESTEBAN, Nippon Kodo is launching the ESTEBAN original product for Japan, "carte parfumée," on October 20th (Monday). While Nippon Kodo has long offered scented paper products, this new item differs from the traditional type, which enclosed fragrant powder in a paper sachet. Instead, "carte parfumée" features fragrance essence infused directly into a card.

ESTEBAN, a fragrance brand established in 1979, is also known for its pioneering development of 100% vegetable wax candles and its proprietary technology for encapsulating scents within unique microceramics. The company was founded in 1984.

The brand embodies the vision of its founder, aviator Jean-Max Esteban, who sought to capture his global travel memories in a personal scent collection. ESTEBAN has carved out a unique niche as an interior fragrance brand that "gives form to the formless scent." The inspiration derived from encountering these fragrances evokes a passion for and longing towards distant lands, inviting users into a state of mind akin to traveling. Even 30 years after its founding, the brand is cherished in over 40 countries worldwide.

Launched on October 20th (Monday), the "carte parfumée" card fragrance is a new product that fuses the brand's historic technology and creative world with the ideas of Nippon Kodo, which possesses a deep understanding of Japanese fragrance culture.


Measuring a mere 5cm square, these cards are smaller than a standard business card. Japan has a long-standing tradition of "bunko" (scented sachets) as a refined pastime since the Heian period. This product embodies that same thoughtful gesture, capable of releasing a gentle fragrance when tucked into a letter, planner, or notebook.

Furthermore, slipped into a business card holder, it offers a unique way to express oneself not only visually and audibly but also olfactorily during initial introductions, which can be seen as a form of personal presentation. Presenting a scented business card allows for a multi-faceted introduction, potentially easing the recipient's mind and leaving a more lasting impression.

With these scenarios in mind, three distinct fragrances have been curated, each designed to evoke an elegant scent that leaves a positive impression on anyone.

The lineup includes "Tonka," a spicy woody scent with a masculine allure; "Orchidée," a floral green fragrance that captures the delicate and elegant aroma of orchids with notes of orange and neroli; and "Santal," a soft woody scent with sandalwood as its main note, designed for unisex appeal.

We encourage you to explore each fragrance while envisioning your own personal presentation. By infusing your daily communications with a scent that connects you to others, you can foster smoother interactions and add a touch of colorful richness to your life.

Available at ESTEBAN Tokyo, the official online shop, and major department stores.

carte parfumée
Price: ¥1,080 for a pack of 5
Nippon Kodo
Tel. 03-3541-5300
http://www.esteban.co.jp