An Edo beauty prepares for her daily skincare ritual. A vermilion cloth at her mouth holds an ancient secret: cleansing her face and body exclusively with rice bran.
The dictates imposed by the Shogun are oppressive, but she chooses joy. The joy of possessing with delight those small moments of pleasure that make up her everyday life. Savoring the changing seasons, feeling in harmony with the rhythm of nature.
The velvety texture of rice bran moistened with warm water hydrates her face. The delicate scent of the grain envelops her senses. Everything calms and feels nourished. Rice bran, the finely ground outer layer of whole grain rice, concentrates 90% of the nutrients found in whole grain rice. Vitamins, minerals, fiber, amino acids, and ceramides—a treasure trove of benefits for the skin, a delicate prelude to makeup.
With her upper body bare, Edo's wife fully embraces her intimacy. An ode to self-acceptance. Confidence isn't proclaimed. It's learned. Slowly. Through daily routines and caresses. She knows she'll find her ritual again tomorrow, and again, and again. Thanks to it, she lives each day to the fullest.
Rice bran is a key ingredient in Bizen skincare, where each product is a journey into heritage. Japanese beauty is embodied in natural and timeless formulas.
Prints by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) Second print © POLA Research Institute of Beauty & Culture