The “Black Hair Award” to celebrate the beauty of black hair.
The 6th Black Hair Award winner was Ms. Ayaka Imoto, an actress, and the Special Award winner was Mr. Yohdi Kondo.
Yanagiya Honten Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Toike) held the “6th Black Hair Awards presented by Yanagiya Apricot Oil” ceremony to honor “those who look great with black hair today” in Chuo-ku, Tokyo on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Ayaka Imoto (right), an actress, won the award, and Yohdi Kondo (left) won the special award. They were presented for exceeding the criteria for selection, which were having beautiful black hair, an image of a pure person, and a cheerful personality. Hikaru Takahashi (middle), an actress, and the 2017 award winner, appeared as the presenter.
The name of the award has changed from “Black Hair Beauty Award” to “Black Hair Award”.
Left: Ayaka Imoto (Black Hair Award winner) Right: Hikaru Takahashi (Presenter)
Left: Yohdi Kondo (Special Award winner) Right: Hikaru Takahashi (Presenter)
Comments from the Recipients and a Talk Show
Hikaru Takahashi, an actress, is the image character of the Yanagiya Apricot Oil brand and the 2017 Black Hair Award recipient. She made an appearance at the ceremony and presented the award on behalf of the company. Ayako Imoto received the trophy from Hikaru Takahashi and said, ”I have never dyed my hair in my life, and many people compliment how beautiful my hair is. I am thrilled to receive such a wonderful award,” expressing her joy. Yohdi Kondo received the special award and said, “I am honored to receive this special award emphasizing diversity. I believe that hair color and hairstyle are part of fashion. I am very happy that my daily care is acknowledged.”
After presenting the awards and receiving their comments, there was a talk show. Looking at the survey report, “Opinion Survey on Black Hair,” released simultaneously by Yanagiya Honten, those three discussed hair colors at life’s milestones and thoughts on their own hair.
Ayako Imoto said, “I saw many people with their hair dyed at my university’s entrance ceremony. I remember I was tempted to dye my hair just that one time. But I decided not to because this hair color is one of a kind, and I also wanted to protect the cuticles,” expressing her passion for black hair.
Yohdi Kondo revealed that he has dyed his hair in various colors in the past while working as a Harajuku-style fashion model and said, “I have dyed my hair in almost every color like red, blue, green, purple, white, gold, and pink.” He has now settled on black hair and said, “As I get older, I want to be sexy, and I feel sexy and beautiful in a sophisticated way when I have black hair,” conveying the appeal of black hair.
Click below to see the past awards, etc., on our special website.
Black Hair Award Special Website (in Japanese)
Black Hair Award
The Black Hair Award is an award that honors the beauty of “the person who looks best with black hair today.” It was established in 2015 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Yanagiya Honten, to proclaim the beauty of Japanese black hair not only in Japan but also to the world, to protect its cultural value, and to pass it on to the next generation. The winners are selected based on three criteria: having healthy and beautiful black hair, the image of pureness coming from within, and a strong spirit ready to face challenges with a cheerful personality. The previous award winners are Umika Kawashima, Hikaru Takahashi, Nanako Fujita, Yuno Ohara, and Miyu Honda.
Profile of Hikaru Takahashi
2nd Black Hair Award winner (2017)
Born on September 22, 2001, in Shiga Prefecture.
In 2014, she won the “14th Japan Bishojo Contest” Grand Prix and entered the entertainment industry. She made her acting debut in the movie, The Promise of Life in 2016. She starred in Murai no Koi (TBS), and her big appearances include the historical drama Naotora: The Lady Warlord (Onna Joshu Naotora), Where Have My Skirts Gone? (NTV), I Want to Hold Aono-kun so Badly I Could Die (WOWOW), Soucho Shihatsu no Sappukei (WOWOW), the movie Mr. Osomatsu (2022), the musical Little Zombie Girl, etc. She also actively appears on variety shows and radio and does modeling.
Profile of Ayaka Imoto
Born on October 23, 2003, in Kyoto Prefecture.
She won the 30th Anniversary and the “15th Japan Bishojo Contest” Grand Prix in 2017. From September 2021 to August 2022, she played the role of heroine (as Sakura Igarashi) in the TV Asashi series celebrating Kamen Rider's 50th anniversary, Kamen Rider Revice. In the first quarter of 2023, she appeared regularly as Saki on OUTSIDER COPS (TV Asahi). She is currently active in a variety of shows and commercials.
Profile of Yohdi Kondo
Born on December 25, 1992, in Osaka Prefecture.
He is a member of the 6-member dance and vocal group, Darli’a. His “genderless boy fashion” gained popularity among middle and high school girls. He is active in various fields, making appearances in Senzai Nouryoku Test, Nakai no Mado, and Wednesday’s Downtown on TV, and in Battle Rhythm Stage (as Shin), and Ikemen Ouji - Bijo to Yajuu no Saigo no Koi THE STAGE - Beast Leon (as Yves=Kloss) on stage.
