MAIKO & GEISHA

A Fragrant Partnership Rooted in Tradition: Meleg Perfumes × Umeno Okiya of Kyoto

Meleg Perfumes is honored to announce a rare and beautiful partnership with the Umeno Okiya, a traditional Maiko and Geisha house in Kamishichiken, the oldest hanamachi (flower district) of Kyoto.

The Umeno Okiya is not only a house of exquisite artistry—it is a living treasure of Japanese cultural heritage. For generations, they have nurtured and trained Maiko (apprentice Geisha) and Geisha in the refined arts of classical dance, music, poetry, and seasonal etiquette. These women embody elegance, discipline, and the fleeting beauty of impermanence—values that deeply resonate with the soul of perfumery.

As a self-taught perfumer, I have long admired Japan’s devotion to detail, restraint, and harmony. My travels to Kyoto and time spent with Umeno-san and the Maiko of Kamishichiken have profoundly inspired me—not only artistically, but spiritually. Their world is one of grace and intention, where every gesture tells a story, and every fragrance holds memory.

Together, we are creating perfumes that echo this legacy.

Our first fragrance, "Oshiroi", is inspired by the delicate white powder worn by Maiko and Geisha—soft, powdery, with notes of orris butter, floral hints, and a whisper of old Kyoto. It is both a tribute and a time capsule—a perfume that lets you carry a part of this fading world with you.

This is not a typical collaboration. This is a gesture of trust.
Umeno Okiya has opened its doors to Meleg Perfumes, and in turn, I’ve poured my heart into creating scents worthy of their history.

With every bottle, you support the preservation of this rare culture and the artists who devote their lives to it.

From Kamishichiken, with reverence.
—Matthew Meleg