Hairstyles are one big part of your appearance when it comes to presenting yourself and making an impression on someone. So naturally, a lot of people spend time going to salons and stylists to get their hair just right.
That's true in Japan, where as of 2022, there are approximately 250,000 beauty salons and 530,000 beauticians.
Image used for illustrative purposes
Japanese beauty salons and beauticians are reputed for having some of the world's best techniques.
But did you know there's a guidebook that helps you access all those techniques?
"Kami Charisma," a guidebook of charismatic beauticians
The "Kami Charisma 2023 Hair Salon Guide" is, so to speak, a Michelin Guide of hair salons and hair stylists.
It's a guidebook that introduces the best hair salons and beauticians in Japan.
On December 22nd, 2022, the "KAMI CHARISMA 2023 Hair Salon Guide" was released, compiling 145 "KAMI CHARISMA" beauticians and 72 "KAMI CHARISMA" status salons.
The KAMI CHARISMA 2023 Awards
Over 500 beauticians gathered to present awards to the beauticians and beauty salons from all over Japan who were featured in the "KAMI CHARISMA 2023 Hair Salon Guide."
The chairman of the executive committee was Taro Aso, a politician who is currently serving as member of Japan's House of Representatives.
At the awards, Aso noted that "the skills of Japanese hairdressers in 'dressing up', 'arranging,' and 'enhancing' hair, as well as the spirit of omotenashi hospitality at beauty salons are part of Japanese culture, just as much as Japanese food and sake."
He added, "Some travelers from overseas visit Japan just to get a haircut. I want people to be aware and confident that this is a culture that Japan should be proud to share with the world."
The Kami Karisma guide is unique in that it spotlights individual hairdressers as well as salons.
The seven criteria for the guide are "technical skills," "design skills," "sincerity in work," "expression that captures the moment," "brand power," "ability to communicate to the world," and "sales ability."
The following 10 beauticians were selected as "Three-Star Beauticians," the highest awarded title, based on the strict selection criteria.
From the left in the upper row of the photo:
Mitsuteru Asahi(SUNVALLEY)
Mitsuru Itakura (Luxe)
IWA SUN☀(i.Tokyo)
Takahisa Okamura (MINX GINZA)
Fumio Kawashima (PEEK-A-BOO Aoyama)
From the left in the lower row of the photo:
Takeru Kawabata (BEAUTRIUM Shichirigahama)
Takuya Takagi (OCEAN TOKYO)
Yuya Nara (SHIMA HARAJUKU)
Hideki Matsunaga (ABBEY)
Hiroki Miyamura (AFLOAT GINZA)
At the awards ceremony, winners of the "three-star" award took the stage and were personally given plaques by Chairman Aso.
*IWA SUN☀and Fumio Kawashima were unable to attend due to personal reasons.
After the awards, Takeru Kawabata commented on behalf of the award winners.
He announced his gratitude and joy on stage.
"I'm delighted to have been chosen for this award out of 530,000 beauticians. I believe that this field of work is a wonderful job.
When I thought to myself about what I need to do to be happy, I came to the conclusion that I need to improve my haircutting skills.
If I can cut hair well, I can be happy, and my customers will be happy, too.
Let's all do our best, so the industry of beauticians can grow!"
The award ceremony and the statements of the winners will be introduced on "Kami Charisma-tachi - The Pride of Japan's Beauticians" (BS Fuji) on February 5, 2023, from 2:30 p.m.
There will be many other features on the show including awards for beauty salons as well as beauticians.
Hairstyles are one big part of your appearance when it comes to presenting yourself and making an impression on someone. So naturally, a lot of people spend time going to salons and stylists to get their hair just right.
That's true in Japan, where as of 2022, there are approximately 250,000 beauty salons and 530,000 beauticians.
Image used for illustrative purposes
Japanese beauty salons and beauticians are reputed for having some of the world's best techniques.
But did you know there's a guidebook that helps you access all those techniques?
"Kami Charisma," a guidebook of charismatic beauticians
The "Kami Charisma 2023 Hair Salon Guide" is, so to speak, a Michelin Guide of hair salons and hair stylists.
It's a guidebook that introduces the best hair salons and beauticians in Japan.
On December 22nd, 2022, the "KAMI CHARISMA 2023 Hair Salon Guide" was released, compiling 145 "KAMI CHARISMA" beauticians and 72 "KAMI CHARISMA" status salons.
The KAMI CHARISMA 2023 Awards
Over 500 beauticians gathered to present awards to the beauticians and beauty salons from all over Japan who were featured in the "KAMI CHARISMA 2023 Hair Salon Guide."
The chairman of the executive committee was Taro Aso, a politician who is currently serving as member of Japan's House of Representatives.
At the awards, Aso noted that "the skills of Japanese hairdressers in 'dressing up', 'arranging,' and 'enhancing' hair, as well as the spirit of omotenashi hospitality at beauty salons are part of Japanese culture, just as much as Japanese food and sake."
He added, "Some travelers from overseas visit Japan just to get a haircut. I want people to be aware and confident that this is a culture that Japan should be proud to share with the world."
The Kami Karisma guide is unique in that it spotlights individual hairdressers as well as salons.
The seven criteria for the guide are "technical skills," "design skills," "sincerity in work," "expression that captures the moment," "brand power," "ability to communicate to the world," and "sales ability."
The following 10 beauticians were selected as "Three-Star Beauticians," the highest awarded title, based on the strict selection criteria.
From the left in the upper row of the photo:
Mitsuteru Asahi(SUNVALLEY)
Mitsuru Itakura (Luxe)
IWA SUN☀(i.Tokyo)
Takahisa Okamura (MINX GINZA)
Fumio Kawashima (PEEK-A-BOO Aoyama)
From the left in the lower row of the photo:
Takeru Kawabata (BEAUTRIUM Shichirigahama)
Takuya Takagi (OCEAN TOKYO)
Yuya Nara (SHIMA HARAJUKU)
Hideki Matsunaga (ABBEY)
Hiroki Miyamura (AFLOAT GINZA)
At the awards ceremony, winners of the "three-star" award took the stage and were personally given plaques by Chairman Aso.
*IWA SUN☀and Fumio Kawashima were unable to attend due to personal reasons.
After the awards, Takeru Kawabata commented on behalf of the award winners.
He announced his gratitude and joy on stage.
"I'm delighted to have been chosen for this award out of 530,000 beauticians. I believe that this field of work is a wonderful job.
When I thought to myself about what I need to do to be happy, I came to the conclusion that I need to improve my haircutting skills.
If I can cut hair well, I can be happy, and my customers will be happy, too.
Let's all do our best, so the industry of beauticians can grow!"
The award ceremony and the statements of the winners will be introduced on "Kami Charisma-tachi - The Pride of Japan's Beauticians" (BS Fuji) on February 5, 2023, from 2:30 p.m.
There will be many other features on the show including awards for beauty salons as well as beauticians.
If you're interested, please check out the show!
Sponsored by © KAMI CHARISMA 実行委員会