Founded in 1872 in Tokyo’s Ginza district, Shiseido began as Japan’s first Western-style pharmacy before evolving into one of the world’s most influential cosmetics houses. Known for its innovative design and forward-looking approach, Shiseido shaped modern grooming culture in Japan.
In 1967, the company launched the MG5 line — short for Modern Gentleman 5 — a bold men’s brand combining fragrance, hair styling, and fashion-inspired aesthetics. With its striking black-and-silver checkered packaging, MG5 became an icon of 1960s Japanese youth culture and a symbol of modern masculinity.
Alongside the cosmetics, Shiseido also offered precision grooming tools under the MG5 name. Among the rarest of these is the Shiseido MG5 safety razor, a compact travel model that reflects the same design sensibility and modern spirit as the fragrance line. Today, it stands as both a collectible shaving instrument and a piece of Shiseido’s design heritage.
