mat; Masakï Matsushïma 2000

The fragrances of Masaki Matsushima were among the first I began to explore in the world of niche perfumes after I stumbled upon them at "Aus Liebe zum Duft" - although it can be aptly debated whether the scents of a fashion designer, which Matsushima is, can be considered niche or not.
To me, as someone who had previously been more experienced in the mainstream, Matsushima's creations felt familiar and accessible; they welcomed me and made no demands, causing no irritation and giving me nothing to complain about.
This was pleasant and friendly, polite like most of the Japanese people I had encountered before - and yet also a bit bloodless, it seemed to me, compared to the loud, colorful fireworks I knew from various corners of the perfume shelf.
While I was quite familiar with "CK One," its light, fresh, not overly expressive performance did not necessarily belong to the fragrance directions I preferred, especially since "clean," "wellness," or "fresh laundry scents" were still unfamiliar to me at that time.
That would only change thoroughly later.

"mat;" as the first fragrance from Masaki Matsushima was also the first one I became acquainted with.
And I was - I confess - deeply impressed by the bottle, which was so simple yet so different, so functional, reduced, and futuristic, that I was almost worried I wouldn't be cool enough for the scent contained within.
Now, "cool" is not necessarily an attribute I consider overly desirable for myself, but it should at least match a bit with the fragrance and me.
However, I needn't have worried, because...

...from the very first moment, "mat;" is a friendly companion on my skin, neither cool nor strict nor arrogant.
Light and airy, "mat;" leads me step by step through a Japanese garden, where no one is around except for me, where finely raked gravel crunches underfoot and the air carries the scent of bright, dark green, still rain-soaked stone, and water lilies.
Very pure, very quiet, yet not at all bitter, not serious, "mat;" is by my side like a small quiet smile, like a light silk scarf, a bowl of small flowers beside a teapot.
It is impossible not to feel comfortable with "mat;" - in the best sense unobtrusive, the fragrance reliably accompanies me throughout the day despite its subtlety, without ever pushing forward, puffing up, or simply being annoying.
That can be too little on some days, in some places, certainly, it can evoke thoughts of shower gel, without a doubt.
But when the day and "mat;" are my friends, then nothing more is needed...