Tadashi Harada is Shiseido's top hair and makeup artist. As one of the company's top artists, he continues to push the boundaries of hair and makeup expression with his solid techniques. He has brought unconventional works such as "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" and "Terra Formars," making an impact that transcends the industry. His work has captivated even those who previously had no interest in hair and makeup.

His love of manga and movies leads him to create a dark fantasy world. From his perspective, the works he inspires elevate his fashion fantasies to sensuality. Where does his unique aesthetic and creativity come from? We conducted a questionnaire interview with him.


--How do you create the architectural beauty that permeates your work?

While it depends on the theme and concept of the piece, I strive to convey a mysterious and seductive quality as an essential element, conveying it to the viewer. For example, regardless of gender, I believe that paying attention to the curves, bone structure, muscular ridges, eyes, mouth, and fingertips of the body can enhance the depth of expression and emotional feeling of a hair and makeup piece.

--It seems like you have an extreme attention to detail.

I have a fetish for details. I think I definitely have a fetish for details. The beauty of natural forms, animals, insects, paintings, architecture, and other designed things... I can't help but be fascinated by the intricate work created by people who have invested time and effort, and I can sense their thought.

Generally, I don't dislike detailed or daunting tasks. For example, braiding hair is a delicate process that requires careful handling of each individual strand, and takes time to create. I find joy in the process of small details piling up to form a shape, and in the new discoveries that come from concentrating on the task. I believe that a work is the culmination of all that creative energy.

--You sense an alluring beauty, but what was the first thing in your life that made you feel sensuality?

I felt a feminine gentleness and maternal love in the heroine (Jessica Lange) of the 1976 American film "King Kong." Sometimes strong, sometimes seductive. I remember that she stood out even more in contrast to King Kong. That impression was burned into my mind strongly as a child.

--Who is your sexy icon?

Armored Lady (a character from the manga "Cobra")
Kusanagi Motoko (a character from "Ghost in the Shell")
Cutie Honey (a character from the manga "Cutie Honey")
Catwoman (Anne Hathaway, Halle Berry, Michelle Pfeiffer)

--Would you tell us if there are any artists or creators whose work you feel is beautiful or sensually inspired?
H.R. Giger (Illustrator)
Hajime Sorayama (Illustrator)
Katsuya Terada (Illustrator)
Hirohiko Araki (Manga Artist)
Ryoichi Ikegami (Manga Artist)
Buichi Terasawa (Manga Artist)
Go Nagai (Manga Artist)
--What lies behind Harada's creations?
The desire and envy for what one lacks, or for what one has yet to see or obtain. This desire, directed toward new beauty and value, leads to sharing and elevating one's aesthetic sense with oneself and those around oneself, and this is the driving force behind one's next creation.
--When do you find joy and a sense of accomplishment in creating something?
When you imagine a work and achieve a finish and perfection that exceeds that image. Also, when the finished work is noticed by many people and shared with the world. It's the moment when the entire process of creating something from 0 is achieved as imagined.


【Harada Tadashi Profile】
Born in 1971. Originally from Numata City, Gunma Prefecture. After working as an air traffic controller for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, he graduated from SABFA, a hair and makeup school affiliated with Shiseido, and joined Shiseido in 2000. He has served as hair director for Shiseido's "Uno" advertising, hair and makeup chief at the New York and Paris Collections, and is involved in analyzing and predicting men's fashion trends in hair and makeup, as well as developing hair products. He has won the Grand Prix at the Japan Hairdressing Awards, the most prestigious awards in the beauty industry, twice, in 2004 and 2012, and has the most awards in the beauty industry. His 2013 solo exhibition "Harada Tadashi All!! Ver.5.0" (Meguro) and his collaborative works with "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" that were shown at the "Japan Original Beauty" exhibition (Ginza) attracted a lot of attention both in Japan and overseas due to their high quality, attracting over 8,000 visitors (over 10 days), and the limited-time release of his works on his official website recorded over 3 million hits, drawing attention from both inside and outside the industry for his innovative creative activities that go beyond the boundaries of hair and makeup. His books include "Top-class Men's Body Care" (PHP Institute).