ANTI NASHI TORO, OLFACTORY VISION THROUGH TIME

OFFICIAL BRAND STATEMENT

In 1947, nashi seeds, dating back to Japan’s Yayoi period, were unearthed in the ancient ruins of Toro in the Shizuoka prefecture.

ANTI recreates this meditative fragrance, blending the crispness of Nashi pear with the earthy potency of Hinoki wood, refreshed by the dewy drip-drop of rain on rice paddies.

Date: 86BC. Black Pepper slices through the silence like brushstrokes on paper, while iris, ambrette, and incense burn low in bronze censers. Moss, musk, earth, and rice bran settle the scent like a tatami—monastery floors worn smooth by centuries of devotion

PERFUMER: Karine Vinchon-Spehner

“It was crucial for me to dive into Japan’s meditative universe. Incense effluvia and Hinoki wood prove essential to achieving this. Clary sage and ambrette allow me to add an intriguing, mystical effect. Rice bran adds that vaporous atmosphere of rice cooking water and a white volume that completes the signature note.” – Karine Vinchon-Spehner

Hinoki
Nashi Pear
Black Pepper

Iris Butter
Ambrette
Somalia Incense

Moss
Musk
Earth
Rice Bran Absolute

12+ hours on skin
Longer than a day on clothes
Projection is moderate to strong

MY THOUGHTS

ANTI Nashi Toro is a fragrance that transcends conventional take on gourmands, existing in that rare space where the gourmand aspect is soft and ethereal, matching the earthiness of base notes without announcing itself as either. This is a composition that invites you to slow down and immerse yourself in a sensory experience that feels both profoundly Japanese and universally appreciated. The perfumer achieved a remarkable balance of crisp, watery freshness of nashi pear mixed with earthy depth of petrichor and woods. All woven into pyrazine-rich steamy rice vibe.

The opening is immediately transportive, creating a sense of place with remarkable specificity. It is what I imagine cities of Japan smelled like in older days, before skyscrapers emerged. The nashi pear reveals itself not as the cloying, candy’esque fruit note common in mainstream fragrances, but as something altogether more sophisticated. It captures the actual character of the Asian pear with both authenticity and its watery texture hidden under rough thick skin. Yes, the pear accord is clearly recognizable, yet elevated with a crisp green hue thanks to the hinoki and soft pepperiness.

Nashi Toro opening establishes both vivid freshness and mysterious depth simultaneously. The Hinoki is a note that proves itself to my nose as far superior material in terms of useability in scents to regular cypress. It is offering a balsamic, meditative woody green feel without being too sterile or dry-woody. This isn’t the harsh, pencil-shavings cypress that can dominate certain compositions, but rather something softer and more calm overall. With its characteristic slightly lemony undertone, it is very spiritual in this composition.

The true revelation of how greatly ANTI Nashi Toro is composed comes with the rice accord, an element so unexpected here. Yet it works wonders, transforming the entire fruity-woody-earthy experience. It adds sense of calm and gourmandise bypassing modern diabetes-sweet direction in favour of something more profound and comfortable to wear. As the steamed rice accord gradually settles, it allows the other notes to emerge more clearly, revealing the careful architecture beneath. The iris contributes with its elegant powdery touches smoothing the composition further. It tempers the brightness of hinoki, creating a velvety texture.

On my skin, the incense is barely present, yet I smell it well on the paper blotter. I imagine incense is crucial to achieving the Japan’s meditative universe. However I don’t miss it on my skin at all.

The base notes open on me with a lot of musk, dried out earth, and rice. This time not steamy, but more dry, behaviour of rice is similar to Riso from Jijide. Overall, these three elements create a foundation that feels delicate and warm.

ANTI Nashi Toro has such an abstract and artistic interpretation of a place that it made me go “wowza” upon the first encounter with it. Its entire olfactory aesthetic defines new direction of contemporary perfumery. Every element here feels deliberately chosen and expertly executed, avoiding the synthetic shortcuts and lazy formulations.

Entire range feels very authentic and no corners were cut in either packaging or pricing either. I was lucky to explore upcoming scents that are currently in the works and there are gorgeous things coming! I’m amazed at how polished and unique each scent is. There is absolutely no mediocrity here, none whatsoever. And the best part is that collection is going to sell so well. Commercial aspect is nailed down solid! All scents are easy to understand yet presents true niche olfactory twists and turns. Everyone will have a favourite in the range.

Big round of applause to people behind the scenes and the perfumers for bringing this beautiful brand to life!