WATO Soap Delivers Natural Japanese Remedies
Based in Los Angeles, CA WATO Soap delivers gorgeous soaps that are both good for you, and good for Mother Earth! Handcrafted by sisters Priscilla and Vivien alongside their mother, Noriko, each of their products are created under the guiding principles of Japanese remedies focusing on nourishment and restoring. From there, the soaps are dyed by colors they've produced themselves from plants and natural dyes.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your brand so we can get to know you better?
WATO began with our Mother, Noriko. When our family moved to the US 25 years ago, she was dissatisfied with the household goods being sold to her and opted to make her own stuff instead. She's an amazing chef, nutritionist, herbalist and chemist who loves to tinker with the natural world. We've been using her soaps forever and decided to build the brand last year. We're a family business making effective medicine that feels good and doesn't hurt the Earth.
What’s the inspiration behind WATO Soap and what aspirations do you have for your company moving forward?
We're inspired by the Great Mother Earth, the nature she provides us, traditional artisans who use their hands, and color derived from the natural world. We want everyone to think about where your everyday products come from and where it goes after you use it, and how that impacts our environment, our selves. Do you know what's in your soap bubbles, and what happens once it's down the drain?
Do you practice a sustainable/low impact/zero-waste lifestyle? If so, how do you practice it and what are your motivators?
We sure do try! We made a lot of practical switches this year (toilet paper that comes in paper, bamboo toothbrushes, cotton pads, cloth diapers), and we have many resources in LA that support this lifestyle, which we're grateful for. We're at a tipping point, however, and soon enough we'll have to stop talking metal straws and start thinking big picture.
What’s one small change humans can do to show a little love Mother Earth that they may not realize?
Go outside. Dance with a tree. Talk to a flower. The Earth knows you're there, and she feeds off of your energy. too. Tell her you love her.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? What’s the greatest piece of encouragement?
Whenever we make a batch of soap, my mom instructs me to take a deep breath and calm my center. Soapmaking can be tricky and stressful, and you have to remember that everything is alive and that every batch is going to be different!
Recently a friend told me that the work we're doing is "important". That felt super duper nice.
What are you excited about? Is there anything fun coming up for you?
My sister is expecting her first child in 10 days!! First grandbaby for my mom. Safe to say we're all going bonkers. Very excited to meet our new clan member and curious to see what he inspires for WATO! Baby line, perhaps?