Our Commitment to Genuine True Soap Products

Our Definition of True Soap

Does your soap change color “naturally”?

Have you noticed that truly natural soap changes color over time when exposed to air?

While a soap or cleanser that stays bright white might look clean, is it genuinely natural?

When choosing soap for yourself and your loved ones, have you considered how natural the product truly is?

In today's market, many products claim to be "organic" or "natural," even though they are actually synthetic detergents with a few naturally derived or organic ingredients added. However, these products are often far from natural—their final composition doesn't reflect the purity their labels suggest. Don't be misled by marketing claims. To really understand what you're buying, it's important to read the ingredient list on the back of the product.

Our natural soaps are made using only the essential ingredients needed for True Soap, free from synthetic chemicals and additives. They are crafted by our Kamadaki Shokunin (soap artisans) using traditional methods and Japanese craftsmanship. The result is a simple, natural, and effective product. Please take a look at the back of our packaging and see the difference for yourself.

The Additive-Free Story: Behind the Birth of Our True Soap

The inspiration for our additive-free soap came from an unexpected place—trains.

Believe it or not, we once manufactured and sold synthetic detergents. The turning point came in the 1970s when Japan National Railways (now JR) approached us with a request: "We need a soap without unnecessary additives to prevent our locomotives from rusting."

This prompted us to begin producing True Soap using traditional methods. After numerous trials and prototypes, our True Soap finally took shape.

Curious about its potential, we decided to try using it for laundry and bathing at home.

When our founder, Mr. Morita, began using it, he noticed that the eczema that had troubled him for many years cleared up remarkably. However, when he switched back to our company's synthetic detergent, his eczema returned.

Realizing that synthetic detergents were the cause of his persistent skin problem, he knew we couldn't continue on the same path. He thought, "We can't keep selling products that harm people's health and the environment."

From that moment on, we dedicated ourselves to making True Soap for households. Our efforts paid off, and today in Japan, the term "Additive-Free" or "Mutenka" is widely recognized.

Now, we hope to share Shabondama Soap with the rest of the world.

A Taste for Quality: Our Unique Commitment

Our artisans test the quality of our soap by actually tasting it—a testament to our dedication to excellence.

What does it mean for a soap to be gentle on both people and the environment?

We believe the answer lies in True Soap made with only the minimal necessary ingredients.

Because it's crafted solely from naturally derived components, our soap is suitable for everyone—from babies and children to the elderly and those with sensitive skin.

So, why don't other companies make True Soap?

The reason is simple: it requires advanced artisan skills and time, making it unsuitable for mass production.

We are committed to upholding our philosophy of "Promoting Wellness and Clean Water."

At Shabondama Soap, we've preserved the traditional kettle saponification method, carefully crafting our additive-free soap by the hands of skilled Kamadaki Shokunin—our master soap artisans.

This process allows the natural moisturizing ingredients found in the raw oils and fats to remain in the soap, resulting in a gentle product that leaves the skin feeling moist and smooth after washing.

Our artisans check the quality of the soap by tasting it.*¹

This method is possible because we use natural oils and fats as raw materials and include no additives such as fragrances, colorants, preservatives, synthetic surfactants, or optical brighteners.

We are dedicated to creating products that everyone can use with complete peace of mind.

At Shabondama Soap, our artisans always keep our customers in mind as they continue to make additive-free products without compromising on quality.

*¹ Applicable only to the manufacture of bar and powder soaps.