“Ghost in Front of the Mosquito Net” Hirezaki Eihô (1881-1968)

Will we meet again

Here at your flowering grave –

Two white butterflies? -Matsu Basho (mid 17th century Japanese Poet)

Hirezaki Eiho (鰭崎英朋

Melancholy can be brought on by many things: loss, painful memories and the unbearable ache of unrequited love.  It is only rarely that I come across a perfume that captures this complex emotion.  Olivia “Livvy” Larson of La Fleur by Livvy has composed a natural fragrance that is undeniably beautiful and sad.  Forbidden Love is inspired by Livvy’s imagining of an impossible relationship set in the Floating World:

Hirezaki Eihô Bijin by Garden

“I see her silhouette as she gracefully floats in Zori. Her obi tied in a simple knot.  The nape of her neck is exposed as she turns around the corner at the street lamp.  She has no idea that I wait for her passing each night on her way back from the tea house.  Her kimono smells of a rich scent; a combination of orange blossoms, vanilla, and lilies laced with tobacco.  The Cypress trees and full moon heighten my senses.  At that very moment a gentle waft of burning incense catches my breath from temples nearby.  I am in love with her but she can never love me back for it is forbidden to love.”

Sadness Hirezaki Eihô

The story is being told by a young Japanese man in Kyoto, Japan who is in love with a Geisha.  Geishas were skilled artists, trained in music, dance, games, calligraphy, entertainment, flirtation, and the art of love, taught from childhood.  If a geisha was exceptionally talented and beautiful she would often have a patron. Geishas were forbidden to marry or fall in love, lest they be forced to give up their profession or shunned by society.

Forbidden Love – Hirezaki Eihô 1881-1968

Forbidden Love opens with a frosted, camphorous lily flower, aloof yet seductive.  Green tea, sake and vodka are gracefully served to guests, as a shamesin(a three stringed guitar) plaintive melody fills the tea house.  She glides into the room, this beauty, wearing a floral brocade kimono intricately patterned in shades of amber. Livvy’s deft touch is felt here as she has woven her geisha an obi of vanilla, oud, and incense.  The scent of tobacco clings to the geisha’s sleeve as her arm brushes her admirer’s coat. Her face is a pleasant mask, but her eyes flicker for a moment with joy then sadness evoking sweet smoke that co-mingles with the lily flower.  This is where the fragrant story is forced to end; love is forbidden

Hirezaki Eihô  Falling Blossoms

Forbidden Love conveys the unmistakable beauty that is at the heart of lost love.  It wears close to the skin, much as a geisha’s scent should.  The longevity is 4 hours on my skin. On my shirt, I found longer lasting scent.  I find the brevity on my skin to be quite appropriate, matching the fleeting glimpse our young man gets of his beloved geisha each night, but her scent lingers on his coat as she brushes his arm .

Michael Singels, Sr. Contributor and Natural Perfumery Editor (with contributions and Art Direction from Michelyn Camen Editor in Chief)

Disclosure:  Samples provided to us by Livvy Larson for review.

Forbbiden Love Perfume Tableau by Livvy

Writers Note:  Forbidden Love will launch November 1st on La Fleur By Livvy. Ms. Larson took great care in choosing the aromatics used in this perfume, trying to keep as authentic to Japan as possible.  The Lily Absolute she uses is derived from Lilium auratum, a lily native to Japan.  Cypress is a nod to Hinoki, a Japanese cypress.  Green tea and incense, especially agarwood (oud), are both prized and ritualized in Japanese culture.  The sake note comes from Ozeki Sake which is brewed and bottled in Hyogo, Japan. Forbidden Love is available for purchase November 1, 2015. You can also read reviews on Art and Entertain Me, Perfume Smelling Things, and Fragrantica. 

Hirezaki Eihô Bijin i美人

I chose the illustrations and prints of Japanese Artist Hirezaki Eihô for this review. He is best known for “Bijin” series of beautiful women (Bijin i美人 is Japanese for beautiful woman) and for introducing prints into Japanese art now known as kuchi-e. -Michelyn

Thanks to the generosity of Livvy Larson of La Fleur by Livvy, we have a 5 ml mini sprayer of Forbidden Love available for draw to a registered reader worldwide (you must do this or your entry is invalid). To be eligible, please leave a comment wit what intrigues you about Forbidden Love, where you live and if you have experienced unrequited love.   Draw closes 11/3/15.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.