JATAI
- Japan
- Est. 1950
-
Budget Luxury
JATAI is a California-based company founded in 1950, serving as the exclusive North American distributor of Feather razors and beauty products.
Founded in 1950 in Buena Park, California, JATAI is the exclusive North American distributor for Feather beauty and barber products, the route by which Feather razors reach salons on the continent. Its own house line, JATAI Scissors by BMAC, is handcrafted in Japan from VG-10 steel; the three catalogued models...
Founded in 1950 in Buena Park, California, JATAI is the exclusive North American distributor for Feather beauty and barber products, the route by which Feather razors reach salons on the continent. Its own house line, JATAI Scissors by BMAC, is handcrafted in Japan from VG-10 steel; the three catalogued models span $370 to $675 at guide prices in 5.5 and 6.0 inch lengths.
Overview
JATAI (Jatai International) was established in California in 1950. The company was originally founded by Fred Wada as a liaison office to promote commerce between Japan and the United States after World War II. Wada was also involved in bringing the Japanese swimming team to compete in the US national championships and was later named to the Tokyo Olympic Committee in the years leading up to the 1964 games.
Under later leadership by Kay Obayashi, the company moved into importing beauty products. JATAI initially imported hair cutting razors and blades from Shishido Cosmetics under the SORI brand. The company then switched to Feather Safety Razor Co. Ltd. in Osaka, Japan, and became the exclusive North American distributor of Feather’s beauty and barber products. That relationship continues today.
Product Range
JATAI offers cutting scissors, thinning scissors, razors, and accessories. The brand’s listed specialties span blunt cutting, texturizing, weight removal, volumizing, layering, shaping, movement control, and texture control. JATAI serves as a master distributor for three main brands: Feather, Seki Edge, and Fuji Paper.
In 1991, JATAI and Feather co-developed the Feather Styling Razor with a patented blade guard. According to the brand, this product helped revive razor use in salons at a time when razors had largely fallen out of favor. JATAI also distributes Du-Boa brushes (from Ikemoto Brush Co.) and Seki Edge personal care items (from Green Bell). The company operates JATAI Academy, an online educational library of instructional videos.
Distribution
JATAI is headquartered in Buena Park, California. The company sells through its official website at jatai.net and acts as a distributor across North America. Pricing is in the mid range for professional tools.
See Also
Where to Buy
JATAI at a glance
- Budget
- Mid-range $200–400
- Makes
- Cutting Scissors, Thinning Scissors, Razors, Accessories
- Based in
- Japan
- Catalogue
- 3 models listed
- Established
- 1950
Product Types
Specialties
Materials & Construction
The steel, edges, and handle styles JATAI works in:
Where to Buy
Authorized Retailers
Retailers stocking JATAI
ScissorPedia catalogues 1 retailer carrying JATAI.
- JATAI — USA · ships to USA
Products
How JATAI Compares
| Brand | JATAI | Yasaka | Kasho | Joewell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Typical price | US$370–US$675 | US$227–US$617 | US$179–US$2,124 | US$227–US$800 |
| Steel | VG-10 | 440C, ATS-314, VG-10 | VG-10W, VG-10, ATS-314, SG2 | Cobalt Base Alloy CBA-1, Powder Metal Alloy, Supreme Stainless Alloy |
| Blade types | Convex | Convex | Semi-convex, Convex | Convex, Sword |
| Handles | Offset, Semi-offset | Offset, Classic, Semi-offset | Offset, Semi-Offset, Straight | Offset, Classic, Semi-offset |
| Specialties | Blunt cut, Texturizing, Weight removal, Volumizing, Layering, Shaping, Movement control, Texture control(30%), Classic cutting, Contemporary cutting | — | Precision cut, Slide cut, Blunt cut, Point cut, Texturizing, Thinning, Blending, Layering | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Volume control, Texture control, Cut and thinning |
| Founded | 1950 | 1965 | 1908 | 1917 |
| Known for | — | Clam-shaped convex-edge blades, handcrafted in Nara, Japan | Patented Disc Operation System tension mechanism (Millennium/XP series) | Rooster trademark, adopted in 1921, the year of the Rooster |
Frequently Asked Questions
JATAI is a California-based company, founded in 1950 and headquartered in Buena Park, California. Its house scissor line, JATAI Scissors by BMAC, is handcrafted in Japan.
The JATAI by BMAC scissor line is made in Japan. The company itself is based in Buena Park, California, where it has operated since 1950.
JATAI’s house scissor line uses VG-10, a stainless steel that holds a fine edge well across cutting and thinning models.
For the three JATAI by BMAC shears catalogued here, guide prices land between $370 and $675; jatai.net lists current pricing for the wider razor and accessory range.
Cutting scissors and thinning scissors share the catalogue with razors and accessories. Listed cutting strengths include blunt cutting, texturizing, and weight removal.
JATAI sells direct through its own website at jatai.net and distributes across North America. It is also the exclusive North American distributor for Feather beauty and barber products.
Ratings & reviews
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