Launched in 1936, Kobako by Bourjois is a perfume that stands out not only for its unique fragrance but also for its intriguing name. The term "Kobako" is derived from Japanese, where it translates to "perfume-box" or "scented box," and it refers to a lacquer or porcelain box used for storing incense. Pronounced as "koh-BAH-koh," the word evokes images of delicate craftsmanship, refined elegance, and a sensory experience tied to both fragrance and cultural symbolism. The association with a "perfume-box" suggests a treasured, almost sacred container for rare and precious scents, resonating with ideas of beauty and ritual. For women of the 1930s, particularly those attuned to global influences and trends, a name like Kobako would have conjured images of exoticism, luxury, and sophistication, drawing on the allure of Eastern traditions and the mystique of Far Eastern arts and culture.
The word "Kobako" in relation to scent would evoke a sense of deep, enveloping luxury. It conjures a perfume that is as much about the presentation and atmosphere as it is about the fragrance itself—a scent that would be housed in something as precious and alluring as a lacquered box. The perfume might be imagined as contained within a beautiful object, promising a fragrance that would linger and resonate, much like the incense stored in those precious boxes. In scent, it speaks to a luxurious, almost ritualistic experience, drawing upon the Eastern idea of treasured, often mystically rich scents held in reverence.
Kobako was created by renowned perfumer Ernest Beaux, with assistance from Constantin Mikhailovich "Kot" Weriguine, and it is classified as a warm leathery floral chypre fragrance for women. It is described as "heady," with rare wood species and jasmine as the dominant notes, providing a rich, sensual, and somewhat exotic olfactory experience. The fragrance is noted for its ability to hold better in fabrics and furs, positioning it as a perfume for brunettes of an exotic type—suggesting a scent that is both deep and striking, perhaps better suited to those with darker hair and a bold, sophisticated personality. The warm, woody, and floral elements would have made it a perfume that lingered on the skin and in the mind, creating an aura of mystery and sensuality.
