[Shiseido, Japan’s First Western-Style Dispensing Pharmacy]

Shiseido was established in 1872 in Ginza, Tokyo as Japan's first private Western-style dispensing pharmacy. The founder, Arinobu Fukuhara, after studying Western pharmacology, resigned from the government to start the business to establish and spread a business model and a system of division of labor that had never existed in Japan before. The name “Shiseido” was taken from the Chinese classic “I Ching,” which states, “How wonderful is the virtue of the earth, from which all things are born!” It is said to reflect the company's determination to create new value in people's lives.

In 1916, the cosmetics department became independent from the pharmacy, and the cosmetics business began in earnest. A gallery was opened in what was then a three-story brick building, providing a venue for young and avant-garde artists to present their work. In 1927, chain stores selling Shiseido products spread throughout Japan, and along with products and beauty knowledge, Shiseido introduced to society the latest lifestyles and fashions from Japan and abroad that broke with stereotypes. Later, after going public and expanding into the global market in the postwar period, Shiseido established its corporate philosophy in 1989. The company defined the direction the company should take, “How will Shiseido contribute to society?” and expanded its business to beautify the entire lifestyle with a comprehensive view of beauty and health. In recent years, the company has established a new business style using the Internet.

Currently, there are three buildings in Ginza named after Shiseido. The Tokyo Ginza Shiseido Building in Ginza 8-chome rises as the symbolic tower. It is a remarkable building that has won the Good Design Award and the Tokyo Architecture Award for Excellence in the past. The red brick color of this building, which is also the headquarters of the Shiseido Parlor, is reminiscent of the brickwork of the time, bringing color to the city. The exterior, with its emphasis on vertical and horizontal lines, and interior spaces with high ceilings, are said to be a classic design, a specialty of designer Ricardo Bofill. One of the most distinctive features is the installation of windows of different sizes and shapes. The parlor, restaurants, stores, bars, and galleries are located here, and Shiseido The Store, which sells cosmetics, is next door on 7th Street, with “Hanatsubaki Street” passing between these two buildings. Hanatsubaki is the symbol of Shiseido. Moving from Ginza-dori to Namiki-dori, the head office building is also established.

Shiseido was Japan's first Western-style dispensing pharmacy, and its name is well known to all Japanese. Today, Shiseido is the largest cosmetics company in Japan and the fifth largest in the world, and is the pride of Japan.

If you stroll down Ginza-dori to 1-chome, you will find our Ginza showroom on Mihara-dori. We are waiting for you to drop by in a room in the historic Okuno Building.

Ginza Showroom
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html

References
https://corp.shiseido.com/jp/company/history/
https://www.shimzarchives.jp/heritage/heritage_681/
https://www.t-c-t.co.jp/classroom/000124.html