Zen Original Shiseido for women

Although it opens sharp with carnation, give it a chance. In just minutes, its starts to live up to its name. The oakmoss, orris, juniper wood, and soft florals create such an elegant, classy, classic, and calming effect. What a treasure.

I got this as a gift from a high school friend. It came in a gift set with a bottle of Inoui and one other Shiseido fragrance...I can't remember the name. Anyway, I alternated between the three until Zen was the only one left, then Zen became my favorite. Its dry, woodsy, incensy smell was an acquired taste for me as a teen, but once I fell for Zen there could be no room in my future for sweet, fruity florals.

Unfortunately, when I looked to replace my empty bottle at the Shiseido counter, it had been discontinued! ...So I moved on to Energizing fragrance, and later even tried an astringent bottle of "O de Lancome" then a sweet bottle of "Miracle" (booo!) but never forgot my love for the original Zen.

I am so happy to be reunited with my long lost high school favorite!

I sprayed this on liberally at 2pm, it's now 3:30, and it's gone. This is an edc, and eau de cologne's never stay longer than that on me. IS there an edp of this in the original version? If so, I wouldnt mind trying it. So onto the smell... As soon as I spray this, it's like hairspray alcohol to me. I think to myself...this is cheap, there's no way on earth anything good can come out after a strong alcohol smell like this. Then maybe 5 minutes later, you get hints of alot of notes but nothing concrete. This is fleeting and very cluttered floral/woody. "Oh I think I smell.....oh wait, where did it go? damn. What was that?". An hour later I got it! head shop incense. It's like when you were a teenager and you walked into a head shop that reeked of a million kinds of incense. And you pass by the namebrand incense packages, like spiritual sky. And you pick instead, the cheaper no-name variety pack...go home, listen to records, burn incense and whatever else, and wonder when you'll have enough money to leave your parents house and get your own place. This smell is like a big bag of variety pack incense sticks, with a slight hint of rose. Rose actually is the only discernible note I can pick out besides the incense stick smell. An hour an half later, it's gone on me. It doesnt smell asian-like to me, it doesnt smell "zen". This is like a back in the day new age store unisex cologne smell. It's not bad, I kinda like it. If it was more than $38 ,I'd be pissed off right now...so I'm content with this purchase. and btw , the spray bottle with the cap....heavy & masculine 70s looking. You take away that asian graphic and it may as well be called "Sexual Centaur" or "Hairy chested Pagoda Man" on it or something like that. ughh. The splash bottle in the reference pic above is much nicer looking.

Usually when I buy a fragrance, or test it out, I'm usually able to form an opinion after one or two wearings at the most. Zen took me at least ten, simply because it's just so complex.

This review, of course, is for the original Zen from 1964. I got a bottle of the "Zen Classic" Eau de Cologne spray at Macy's for $38. I don't think I've ever found a better deal in my life - God bless Shiseido for reissuing Zen.

Zen is the perfect rose fragrance. On my skin, 99% of rose fragrances go to shit. The rose is either too dry and powdery ("old lady" smelling, if you will), or too wet and chunky-smelling. Zen achieves the perfect resinous, woody rose that I've always dreamed of, over a tar-leather background. It's a match made in heaven, and the drydown is one of the best things I've ever smelled. It has a smoothness that is unprecedented; yes, it's pretty linear, but Zen does it the best. It has dark and evil qualities to it, but at the same time it's warm and inviting. Zen is dark, but she has a heart - like every good black metal song.

The sillage goes down majorly after an hour or two, but I've had people comment on my smell 5 or 6 hours after I put on Zen. The longevity, therefore, is not great, and the sillage could be better, but Zen works best as a comforting, skin-tight aura of mystery.

Bottom line, get this fragrance while you can. In this market, I fear it won't last. Not just that, but Zen is the one rose fragrance I recommend the most for men. Guys, Zen is more masculine than 99% of the "men's" fragrances out on the market today, so you won't be disappointed.

Just get off your computer and go buy a bottle already. Zen is in my top 10 of all time, and one of my absolute favorite feminines.

Current EdC classic, spray mist:

Light yet heavy, surprising longevity despite being an EdC. Haven't had any comments about sillage. The scent behaves rather linear on my skin.

Many of the notes are of my liking and many reviews predicted this to be something for me. My skin does however interpret this scent differently than others and this one did not want to be my friend. I'm not that good with the notes so I'll give the associations instead. I get deep thick sweet honey, earthy sencha tea, tobacco and beer. One more note also, but I'm not sure I dare to write it.
I would suggest sampling before purchase if interested.
I hope that the bottle I tested from has gone bad, so if I see it somewhere else I'll definitely try it again.

I bought it with my babysitting money at the counter of The Bay, in Winnipeg when I went for our grade 8 trip! The smell was definitely unique and the cedar and sandalwood notes made me feel like I was burning incense without the smoke.

I was looking for a classic, exotic fragrance and, following the reviews, I've bought it unsniffed from fragrancenet.com. To my absolute disappointment, the liquid in the beautiful bottle smells as if it had actually been produced in 1965: sour, rancid, heavy and headache inducing. I very much doubt that anyone could wear this. I would return it but fragrancenet has a bad customer service so I'd rather spare the stress...

A very lightweight incensy floral. So classically pretty, I can't believe it was launched in 1965. There is nothing at all dated about this. A true beauty.

My mother wore this when I was a little girl. Found it at Nordstrom several years ago. When I smelled it, the nostalgia almost knocked me off my feet! I suprised my mother with it on her birthday one year. I'm so disappointed that I can't find it anymore.

Zen is elusive and sublime. Its very mossy and dramatic in many ways. Its hides the florals in a delicate black mist. They peak out occasionally and flirt with your nose. It is glamorous, yet subtle. Jasmine and narcissus take center stage. I cannot help but think of Japanese incense from a forgotten temple...

It swings like 1960s miniskirts. I imagine Catherine Deneuve wearing this in Indochine. Its has French sensibilities with a very Asian accent.

My bottle reminds me of a saki bottle. It is a classic and worth hunting for! Thanks for the introduction, Gillie!

Oooh I remember this too right along w Murisaki from the 80's. Nice.

Purchased a bottle on EBay. Im 36 years old & I fell un love with this back when I was in the 7th grade.

My sister bought me a gift set for my birthday many, many years ago and for a while it became one of my favorites. A very lush beautiful fragrance, I wish it was still in production and that I could smell it again, not sure if the reformulations could be as lovely.

If velvet had a smell, this would be it. I like the mystery of this fragrance. It is much harder to come by these days so it is not instantly recognizable and you won't smell it on everyone. Sometimes if a co-worker asks what I am wearing, I just say I forgot because I like this being my secret scent.

This is very interesting. Thanks to Vickalena for the sample. A definite smokiness that is almost redolent of lapsang suchong tea. I've only tried this on my hand, I will come back after a proper wear.
Oooooh, ps! Just spotted on my net search for this a '2011 newsflash' from a Basenotes reviewer - back in US distribution apparently and not too expensive (as 'Zen Classic')....
pps. Sadly, the carnation makes this unwearable for me. Tempted to buy it just for that bottle though!

I love ZEN. I'm forty years old now and the smell always brings me to 30 years back, when I was a little kid. I remember, when ever my mom left the house with my dad for a night cap, The smell of Zen will still be lingering inside the house. Back then, I used to sneak into my mom's powder table and splash the cologne to my cloth. It used to give me a peace and calm senses into my soul, yet it's also very sensual and earthy to my body. A wise aroma, yet unforgettable!

Pitbullfriend, I can't thank you enough for sending this to me. I just love it. :)

1965's Zen is an underrated and forgotten about classic green floral. It starts off with a lot of galbanum and bergamot merging into the floral heart of rose, narcissus and jasmine. The base holds a wonderful oakmoss and vetiver mix. Y, Norell, Estee Super and Rive Gauche come closest to what Zen smells like. I'm all about the late 60's and the Mod years, so it is only natural that Zen is a favorite of mine.

Above all, this perfume reminds me of a very sweet teacher I had years ago whom, everyday, portrayed the classiest and most eloquent demeanor. I'm not totally positive, but I'm almost sure this was her signature. Everytime I wear this, it immediately takes me back a million miles and reminds me of Mrs. Krull. That is a good thing, and for that, I find Zen very comforting and safe.

I always end most of my reviews of the classics with an equally classic song, and the song that reminds me of Zen is "Yesterday" by Stevie Wonder off his 1969 album, "My Cherie Amour". "What happened to the world we knew?"....

I love it and it brings back good memories from when I was in my 20s. On me It is jasmine wrapped in smokey sensual incense ... I hope they never discontinue it...

*From the Illustrated Oxford Dictionary* zen (zehn): Noun, a form of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing meditation and intuition...

When I see perfumes reformulated, I always want to sniff the older originals. In my opinion, most of them are, in fact, infinitely superior. I saw the newer Zen where I bought my Zen for Men and was really not that impressed with it. It is nice, do not get me wrong; but the idea of "zen" (to me) is being at peace and in tune with Nature and ones own thoughts, and this scent is all that and more...

This begins with a very vintage feel that is not excessive: galbanum's resiny greenness, softened by a bright and fresh bergamot, makes it shine! Hyacinths are all standing in a row exuding their heavenly scent as a powdery orange blossom breeze blows through the leaves of shady trees. Immediately, I am transported to a forest clearing with lush grasses, fresh wildflowers and a deep underlying woodiness. Narcissus, violet and carnation are most prominent in this; but the mimosa, jasmine and rose add to the "bouquet". Iris root gives it a cool, green earthy feel. The drydown is an oriental wonder: sandalwood and cedar standing tall, amber and musk giving it mystery, like a hint of exotic incense in the air, and oakmoss donating its dry green airiness. For an EDC this is actually quite strong and the longevity is also very good, as is the projection...

Sillage: very good
Longevity: great
Overall: 4.75/5

I actually found this at Macys website, last year (reissued for a limited time) and Mother got the Pure Mist Eau de Cologne in the 75ml opaque black spray bottle (with the gold smiling flowers on it). Now all we need to do is order the 75ml splash to refill it when it is empty. And trust me, it will be empty sooner than later-it's really THAT good! I myself am wearing it now and just feel very green and natural and at peace...

*begins chanting* "Om Mane Padme Hum..."

I've only ever had a small sample of the new Zen and was happy to have found an original bottle on Ebay this weekend at what I deemed a reasonable price considering its scarcity. The shape reminds me of the simplistic shape of a sake bottle. What a wonderful, smokey oriental. It will be used sparingly and placed alongside my other most treasured, hard-to-finds.

My introduction to Zen comes from a very interesting place. I was an official for an international sporting organization (ski racing), and received many gifts from representatives of other nations. (I am Canadian).

One year, I was gifted by the country of Japan, with a box, officially presented to me in person by a family member of the Emporer of Japan. The gentleman, Mr. Yoshiro Ito, had his wife and daughter represent him with this gift. In Japense style, they handed the gift to me, bowed and said "Miss Barbara". To say I was honoured is an understatement. The humble, polite and respectful approach was so beautiful and I remained touched to this day. The box contained a bottle of Zen, a suction bulb and a spray bottle to fill.

I adored the scent and I used it only for special occassions.

Just to share further the elegance and class and understanding of feminine gifting by the Japenese I will tell you of two other gifts in different years.

Another year, Mr. Ito presented me on behalf of Japan, a lovely handkerchief, with the same sense of honour.

After one particularly gruelling World Championship event, when most people were packing up and moving on, I was sitting exhausted and alone in my office. I could see coming down the hallway toward me only one person. It was the Japenese man who won the World Championship that year. He carried a large bowl of white tulips. As with the other presentations from Japan, he bowed, handed me the flowers and said "Miss Barbara".

I burst out in tears I was so overwhelmed. The poor young man was immediately frightened that he had somehow offended me. I suppose one is not to cry, but remain as calm and Zen like as the Japenese. I realized immediately my mistake and tried to assure him, though we did not speak each other's language, that mine were tears of joy.

I used my Zen all up, and will purchase more for special occassion use. I gave my daughter the empty bottle I had received from Mr. Ito, to my daughter who was at the time, I young and upcoming ski racer.

These stories are some of my most cherished memories and I remain honoured to this day.
05/10/10 06:02:28

I was a fan until Zen disappeared to be replaced by the new, safer, form.

I much prefer the smokiness of the original.

I don't believe a re-issue of the original has occurred in Australia. I wish it would.

Well done system d - a lucky find.

citrus, subtle florals, smokey sandalwood. exquisite blending, classic fragrance. a staple in my collection.

I wasn't even looking for it, but as i was passing the Shiseido counter in Macy's (in California), there it was! Original Zen! For a limited time. I sprayed a little on a card, then i did not hesitate and immediately bought a bottle.

Oh, how it smells like Japan! I spent a month there in the summer of 1972, even spent the night with a Japanese teacher of mine in her family's very traditional home, with tatami and sliding paper covered doors.

It smells of incense, woods, oakmoss, a hint of well behaved musk, and flowers. Yet i would not at all call this a purely floral perfume, perhaps more chypre floral.

Everything is so balanced. I am ecstatic to have found it!

They now sell it in a new black cylindrical spray bottle. But they also sell the old bottle as a refill, if you already have the sprayer. Even though i don't have the old sprayer, i bought the old style bottle, because it is so... so... Zen.

Zen,the new one in a sheer golden cube,is worth a try. Looking for a new fragrance ( since Sensi Giorgio Armani) is discontinued)I found this modern floral scent.
I was surprised: Tender and powerfull in one.I like the Blue Rose together with the fruity citrus. The drydown is warm and woody.It reminds me of Gucci Rush, but milder. After 3 hours I did not smell it anymore, but still got compliments.

i found this on ebay but quite expensive...based on the reviews,this seems a very nice fragrance..hope to try this frag someday...:-)

Zen has always been a staple in my grandmothers fragrance collection. From the time I was little I remember seeing the unique bottle next to Coco, Opium, Turbulances, and Oscar de la Renta. Such a classic. Brings so many memories. She still wears it to this day. Is it really a floral? Not a Chypre Floral???

Along with Murasaki, Zen Original has been in my fragrance collection for over 20 years. Refined but not prissy, a little bit floral, a little bit woody, a little bit spicy, and with just the right amount of sillage, one spray of this scent lasts for hours, and gently clings to your hair and clothes in the most luxurious fashion. Incredible.

One of the most hypnotic and complex scents I have ever owned and loved. Lush, floral, but also mysteriously smokey and warm like incense. It reminds me of rich silk or brocade, cool to the touch but exuding sensual warmth... I'm not sure if it's available anymore, but I would love to have a bottle of the original Zen again.