Scentmatic Launches Unique 'Scent Lessons' Program in Iki Island's Eika Elementary School
On July 9, 2026, Scentmatic Co., Ltd., headed by CEO Toshiharu Kurisu, introduced an innovative program titled "Scent Lessons" to 36 sixth-grade students at Eika Elementary School in Iki City, Nagasaki. This program encourages the students to weave stories inspired by different scents, ultimately enhancing their creativity and connection to their hometown fragrances.
Originally scheduled for late last year, the program was halted due to an influenza outbreak leading to school closures. This year, however, it was successfully revived, utilizing the natural mint scent native to Iki Island, as it is a beautiful representation of the area's organic fragrances. Initially, the students mentioned typical mint characteristics like "cool" and "toothpaste" but soon their imagination took flight as they began to equate the scent with vivid imagery, such as "transparent sea turtles" and "minmin cicadas."
The scent lessons entail a structured approach designed to engage the students fully:
1. Focus on the Scent: Students are instructed to close their eyes and concentrate solely on the scent before them.
2. Imaginative Writing: Following this focus, they freely jot down images and associations that arise from the scent experience.
3. Story Creation: Finally, the students select their favorite words and ideas from their notes to develop unique stories based on the feelings and images evoked by the mint fragrance.
This educational initiative is built on a collaboration with the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, specifically the research lab of Professor Kazunari Higashihara. Since 2020, Scentmatic has worked closely with this leading scent research team to create an original program based on fresh insights into olfactory perception and brain activity.
Past sessions of Scent Lessons on Iki Island, conducted at Shihara Elementary (focusing on kumquat) and Tsutsuki Elementary (focusing on quince), contributed to the formulation of this year's unique experience at Eika Elementary School. Students expressed their experiences through their creative works, resulting in imaginative narratives that revealed their interpretation of the mint fragrance. One student crafted a story about individuals around the world dancing samba with the hairstyle of renowned actor Ken Matsudaira, winning a Grammy Award in the process.
Another student shared that their encounter with mint led them to hear cicadas’ voices, prompting a scenario where cicadas competed for the throne in a vocal audition. Eventually, the minmin cicada emerged as the victor!
Principal Hideharu Yamauchi of Eika Elementary remarked on the remarkable progress shown by the children, highlighting the significance of encouraging diverse expressions of creativity and validation of individual perceptions.
"Even if it differs from a peer, it's alright; what they feel is correct," he emphasized, reflecting on the enriching day filled with imagination and learning.
Scentmatic champions the digitization of sensory experiences through their AI creation, "KAORIUM." This service contextualizes fragrances to enhance creativity and emotion in various business environments. The company’s innovations in scent interpretation earned them a Silver Award at the prestigious A' Design Award. In addition to their work with the University of Tokyo on the effects of language on fragrance perception, Scentmatic continues to bridge the gap between scent and storytelling.
For additional insights and updates on their community initiatives and ongoing research collaborations, visit their official website.
Originally scheduled for late last year, the program was halted due to an influenza outbreak leading to school closures. This year, however, it was successfully revived, utilizing the natural mint scent native to Iki Island, as it is a beautiful representation of the area's organic fragrances. Initially, the students mentioned typical mint characteristics like "cool" and "toothpaste" but soon their imagination took flight as they began to equate the scent with vivid imagery, such as "transparent sea turtles" and "minmin cicadas."
The scent lessons entail a structured approach designed to engage the students fully:
1. Focus on the Scent: Students are instructed to close their eyes and concentrate solely on the scent before them.
2. Imaginative Writing: Following this focus, they freely jot down images and associations that arise from the scent experience.
3. Story Creation: Finally, the students select their favorite words and ideas from their notes to develop unique stories based on the feelings and images evoked by the mint fragrance.
This educational initiative is built on a collaboration with the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, specifically the research lab of Professor Kazunari Higashihara. Since 2020, Scentmatic has worked closely with this leading scent research team to create an original program based on fresh insights into olfactory perception and brain activity.
Past sessions of Scent Lessons on Iki Island, conducted at Shihara Elementary (focusing on kumquat) and Tsutsuki Elementary (focusing on quince), contributed to the formulation of this year's unique experience at Eika Elementary School. Students expressed their experiences through their creative works, resulting in imaginative narratives that revealed their interpretation of the mint fragrance. One student crafted a story about individuals around the world dancing samba with the hairstyle of renowned actor Ken Matsudaira, winning a Grammy Award in the process.
Another student shared that their encounter with mint led them to hear cicadas’ voices, prompting a scenario where cicadas competed for the throne in a vocal audition. Eventually, the minmin cicada emerged as the victor!
Principal Hideharu Yamauchi of Eika Elementary remarked on the remarkable progress shown by the children, highlighting the significance of encouraging diverse expressions of creativity and validation of individual perceptions.
"Even if it differs from a peer, it's alright; what they feel is correct," he emphasized, reflecting on the enriching day filled with imagination and learning.
Scentmatic champions the digitization of sensory experiences through their AI creation, "KAORIUM." This service contextualizes fragrances to enhance creativity and emotion in various business environments. The company’s innovations in scent interpretation earned them a Silver Award at the prestigious A' Design Award. In addition to their work with the University of Tokyo on the effects of language on fragrance perception, Scentmatic continues to bridge the gap between scent and storytelling.
For additional insights and updates on their community initiatives and ongoing research collaborations, visit their official website.
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