While committed to the fundamentals of the craft, Kazuyoshi Mukouhara has for decades been keenly attuned to changing hairstyles and the need to reflect the age. As a business, Mukouhara has stood at the forefront of the industry, introducing trends such as unisex salons and total beauty salons, which have presciently met people’s needs and desires. Mukouhara has worked tirelessly on behalf of the industry by cultivating the next generation of stylists. For ten years, he was the force behind the Excel Festival, which gave young stylists an opportunity to appear in the limelight.
In the spring of 2008, he was awarded with the Medal with Yellow Ribbon in honor of his more than 50 years of achievements in the hairstyling and salon business.

■History
Established Mukouhara Ltd. in 1963
Winner of Kanagawa Prefecture Competition in 1961, 1965, 1967 and 1968
Winner of All Japan Hair Designing Competition in 1968
Japanese representative at World Championship in 1970
Appearances in hair shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Brazil, Shanghai
Made regular appearances for a year on a TBS television program in 1978
Published “Microcut ” Textbook
Established Mukouhara Inc. in 1985 (currently 6 Excel hair salons)
Conducted the 1st Excel Festival in Yokohama in September 1991
Awarded the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s Contemporary Master Craftsmanship in 1996
For the progress and development of the entire hair industry, he appears in lectures, seminars and hair shows nationwide to pass on his techniques, philosophy and passion. At the Excel Festival, a charity box named “Box of Inspiration” was set up to encourage people to think more about “wealth of heart and mind.” Part of the proceeds from the Excel Festival together with the Mukouhara Fund is returned to the society. (Total donation 13,109,029 yen)
10th Excel Festival, the final one, held in 2000
Opened a salon in collaboration with Shu Uemura inside Shu Sanctuary on the 2nd floor of Galleria, Tokyo Midtown in March 2007. Plus-e opened at Atsugi Shape, gaining attention as a new style of salon led by a young staff.
Chairmanship of Sanaekai, which he still holds
Proposes hair business matched to the times and actively adopts new approaches
Awarded the Medal with Yellow Ribbon in Spring 2008

■Website Articles
Zenriren interview

Member of the board of directors of the International Nail Association
Member of the Japan Beauty Technique Development Center
Calgel educator

Kiho Watanabe is extensively involved in all facets of the nail design business. Besides working at and operating her own salons, she lectures frequently at industry seminars and is prominent in photo shoots for magazines.
Ms. Watanabe believes that manicure should not end at the fingertips. Rather, it deserves the same degree of attention as hairstyling and the clothes one wears. Her natural and simple style involves matching the manicure to the personality of the individual, taking both fashion and lifestyle into consideration. Her reputation for sophistication has brought her the trust of celebrities and industry leaders, including in the beauty field. In particular, her use of color is highly acclaimed.
Placing priority on healthy nail care, Ms. Watanabe provides manicures for every occasion, from the everyday to parties and weddings. For commercial shoots, the demand for her services by both women and men is intense.
In addition to being a manicurist, Ms. Watanabe holds the position of CEO at uka. She had hands-on involvement in the launch of her salons and maintains an active role in its management and operation.
uka nail oil, produced by Kiho Watanabe, has been on the market since October 1, 2009.

■Books
・“Nail Lesson,” Jitsugyou no Nihon Sha, Ltd. (Also sold in Korea)
　To buy click here
・“Adult Nail Art You Can Do Yourself,” Sekai Bunka Publishing Inc.
　To buy click here

■Inquires and requests for commercial photo shoots, etc.
Tokyo Office
TEL. 03-5775-7828 / e-mail tokyo-office@uka.co.jp
(Open for inquires: weekdays 12:00 – 18:00)
Profile (PDF download 2.68 MB)

■Blog
・Openers(webmagazine)
・model bank(high-end beauty website dedicated to a woman’s sense of refinement)
・1oven.com（covers trends in various genres）

Joined Excel in 1978 and trained under Kazuyoshi Mukouhara
Winner of Kanagawa Prefecture Ladies Category in 1983 and 1984
Winner of National Competition Ladies Category in 1984
Japanese representative at OMC World Championship (Italy) in 1986
Appearance in other international championships; active in Japan and overseas
Conducted Excel Festival from 1991 to 2000
Appearance at Excel Vanana
Currently holds positions of vice-president and top stylist
In charge of hair and makeup for television and magazines
Delivers seminars and hair shows nationwide

■Inquires and requests for commercial photo shoots, etc.
Tokyo Office
TEL. 03-5775-7828 / e-mail tokyo-office@uka.co.jp
(Open for inquires: weekdays 12:00 – 18:00)