June Fujiwara
Born in Japan and a Parisian at heart, June Fujiwara was for many years an ambassador of French luxury. Today, she devotes herself to writing, sharing the culture of her native country. Her works, *My Japanese Rituals*, *The Secrets of Japanese Etiquette*, and *The Perfect Tokyoite*, are all invitations to immersive and intimate journeys. She has just published *The Unvarnished Parisian* in Japanese, in which she recounts her transformation from Tokyoite to Parisian.
Beauty
What images do the word “beauty” evoke for you?
“A wooden temple, lost somewhere in a forest or in the hollow of the Japanese mountains. The thatched roof is in very poor condition. The walls appear faded, the steps worn. In contrast to the blackened railings, the stone statuettes are covered with a thick layer of moss.”
Japanese Beauty
You are passionate about conveying the spirit and essence of Japanese beauty. What elements do you think make the Japanese approach and vision of beauty unique?
“Japan is a country that has developed a particular philosophy of beauty. Beauty in Japan resides in imperfection, reveals itself in asymmetry, and blossoms in imprecision. In Japanese culture, everything is about feeling.”
Is there a Japanese woman or man who inspires you with their beauty?
“The author Masako Shirasu (1910-1988) inspires me greatly because she captures the essence of beauty in the ordinary. She published more than 50 books during her lifetime. She said: “By using beautiful things in everyday life, we move away from ugliness and falsehood.”
What are your favorite beauty tips, the essential face or body care rituals in your daily routine?
“The one I learned from my mother. In the kitchen. Collecting the water used to wash rice and applying it to the face and hair. Rice water is a marvel with multiple benefits for the skin: healing, moisturizing, softening, and even toning. You speak of gestures, and you're right, because everything is in the gestures. In Japan, gestures are worth as much, or even more, than words. It is through gestures that a master transmits the essence of their art to their disciple. The same is true for beauty rituals: I learned everything from my mother by observing her. I am proud to inherit her techniques and I am committed to passing them on in turn.”
Wisdom and inspiration
Is there a Japanese proverb or mantra that particularly inspires you?
“Wabi-sabi is a concept that is both aesthetic and spiritual. Wabi is about finding beauty in simplicity and simplicity. Sabi evokes the patina of time. Wabi-sabi is therefore the beauty of humble, imperfect, or fragile things: the kind that evokes a feeling of serenity and tranquility within us. I like the idea that natural imperfection is inherent to beauty.”
Harmony and serenity
An activity to maintain inspiration and serenity?
“I live in Paris but I often prepare morishio. They are small salt cones, intended to ward off evil spirits and other potential impurities. Beyond the symbolism of the salt, the act of preparing a morishio brings calm, reflection, and serenity. It soothes my mind.”
Memories and transmission
What is your earliest memory of beauty?
“Watching my grandmother practice ikebana. I was five or six years old. In her hands, a simple flower would unfold its full splendor in an otherwise ordinary ceramic container. I remember being intrigued by her movements. It is only today that I understand the importance of the gestures: the process is as important as the result in order to claim to tame beauty.”
A piece of advice (beauty or other) passed down through generations in your Japanese family that you would give to a young person starting out in life?
“In short, ‘don’t compare yourself to others.’ This is essential to discovering your innate beauty, cherishing it, and living happily.”
Paris Tokyo
You spent part of your childhood and adolescence in Tokyo and then the rest of your life in Paris. What are the things you like about Paris and the things you like the least? What are the things about Japan that make you nostalgic?
“What I love about Paris is the relationship with time that's cultivated here. You can spend hours at the table with loved ones, discussing anything and everything. You can spend time doing nothing but enjoying your coffee on a terrace, despite the busy life and the tyranny of smartphones. In Tokyo, this is somewhat less the case: we are constantly on the move, always in a hurry.”
However, what makes me nostalgic for Japan are the small neighborhood shrines in Tokyo and the matsuri (seasonal festivals) held there. The whole community gets involved, creating a feeling of closeness and warmth. I especially love the lighthearted atmosphere of these matsuri.
In Paris, it's every man for himself; there's no mutual support, except in times of crisis when everyone mobilizes, finally swept up by a collective impulse.”
Passion and vitality
What are the things that make your heart beat faster?
“If I had to name the things that make my heart beat faster, like Sei Shonagon (the 11th-century author of “The Pillow Book”), the morning dew on a flower petal, the brightness of the moon just before it sets, the indescribable color of the sky at twilight, or the vibrant beauty of a dead leaf. Everything that is ephemeral, ultimately.”
What are the things that give you confidence?
“My daughter’s gaze. A hug from my husband. A word from my readers who say they share my feelings.”