KOTOSHINA Talk Event Report: "Shinme no Kai — Utsukushii Koto (The Gathering of New Buds — On Beautiful Things)"

Beauty Resides in Stillness.

Shimmering light, blurred greens, and if you listen closely, the sound of water somewhere nearby.
Beauty quietly reveals itself in these fleeting moments that arrive amid our busy days.
Wanting to honor that kind of moment, KOTOSHINA hosted a small gathering called "Shinme no Kai — Utsukushii Koto" (The Gathering of New Buds — On Beautiful Things).
Using skincare born from tea seeds as a starting point, we came together to talk about Japan's nature and culture, and the connection between mind and body —
we'd like to share a look back at that quiet gathering, held on a gently unhurried spring afternoon.

The gathering took place along "Nene no Michi" in Kyoto's Higashiyama district.
Once known as Kodaiji-michi, this is the approach to Yasaka Shrine, a charming stone-paved path lined by Kodai-ji Temple and Entoku-in, both associated with Nene, the principal wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Just to the east lie the quiet grounds of Saigyo-an and Basho-do, a place steeped in poetry and prayer — a fitting, special setting that resonates with the timeless beauty KOTOSHINA has always sought to honor.

At the venue, a stone garden path reminiscent of a tea-ceremony approach led quietly toward the entrance, welcoming each guest.

Upon entering, guests dressed in seasonal attire gathered, exchanging quiet conversation in a calm atmosphere.

Against the backdrop of a karesansui rock garden seen from the tatami room, guests shared thoughts on their kimono, obi, bags, and accessories chosen for the day.
This gentle exchange of sensibility served as a natural prelude to the day's themes: "holistic beauty" and "beauty in its truest essence."

Discussing the Beauty of the Heart

For this talk event, we welcomed beauty expert and lifestyle designer Chiaki Yoshikawa, who spoke on the theme of "beauty of the heart."
Through her perspective on organics, beauty, and the land of Kyoto itself, she gently offered hints for caring thoughtfully for everyday life.

This past February, Chiaki Yoshikawa relocated from Tokyo to Kiyosato in Yamanashi Prefecture, beginning a new chapter of life centered on "living in the forest."
Living each day surrounded by nature, she has continued to use KOTOSHINA products as part of her routine, and shared her perspective as an organic specialist on what it truly means to "choose" something.

"What matters most, above all, is whether something is right for you.
With clothing and fashion in general, wearing something that doesn't suit you can leave you feeling drained. And with cosmetics especially, your body and mind will send you clear signals.
When you're surrounded by many things, you start to notice that the ones you naturally reach for are the ones that truly suit you."
She also spoke about how items meant to last, and those that avoid excessive ornamentation, may carry a certain essential truth within them.

"The things you want to keep close for a long time are never flashy. There's a certain quiet, understated depth to what's called 'jimi' in Kyoto — modest, yet deeply appealing.
I think that same kind of beauty lives within the gentleness of organics."

During the workshop, Chiaki Yoshikawa walked guests through how she personally uses the products in her daily routine, explaining the benefits of tea seed oil and the rarity of a Japanese-made cosmetic line holding organic certification within France.

"KOTOSHINA's skincare begins with organic tea seeds harvested in Kyoto, pressed for oil here in Japan, then sent to a lab in France, where the products are formulated using local natural spa water from Gamarde-les-Bains. Beyond the sheer effort involved in that process, the way Japan is perceived from abroad also shapes the fragrance and character of the finished products. That harmony is exactly what gives KOTOSHINA its own distinct, timeless appeal."

For this occasion, the skincare items selected by Chiaki Yoshikawa were wrapped in a furoshiki featuring calligraphy of the word "Kotoshina" by calligrapher Mikiko Kayama, creating a limited set imbued with the beauty of Kyoto.
It was crafted to gently layer visible beauty with beauty that resonates within the heart.
In the venue's tokonoma alcove, the original calligraphy piece of "Kotoshina" hung quietly, lending a serene presence to the entire space.

KOTOSHINA Signature Set "Utsukushii Mono," Curated by Beauty Expert Chiaki Yoshikawa
For more details, please see here

Following the talk, guests were served a thoughtfully composed bento lunch incorporating matcha, sencha, and other tea leaves alongside Japanese and Western ingredients, with usucha (thin matcha) served in demitasse cups — a reflection of the very story behind KOTOSHINA's products, translated into food.
The dishes, presented with natural materials like bamboo sheath vessels, were specially prepared for the day by TOMO, a popular restaurant located at Horikawa-Shimodachiuri in Kyoto.

Toward the end of the event, a sudden passing rain gently dampened the kifune stones in the garden, adding fresh color and revealing yet another layer of beauty within the stillness.
What does true, holistic beauty really mean? The visible and the invisible. It was a moment that gently reminded everyone present of the harmony between the two.

Highlights from the day are also shared on KOTOSHINA's Instagram.
We hope you'll experience the lingering atmosphere and quiet mood through the video as well.

KOTOSHINA Instagram: @kotoshina

■ Beauty Expert Chiaki Yoshikawa's Signature Set, "Utsukushii Mono"