Kobido, which means "the ancient way of beauty", is a centuries-old facial massage method known fondly today as the Japanese facelift. It is a traditional facial massage technique offering a non-surgical approach to youthful rejuvenation. The catch is, you can't get an authentic Kobido treatment just anywhere. In fact, as of 2021, there were only about 50 therapists in the world who were certified in Kobido. I had to go to France and schedule well in advance to experience the sheer glory of the Kobido massage myself. So, what makes it so exclusive?
Technical Technique
Kobido combines various massage and acupressure techniques in rhythmic intensities applied to the face and neck, making it as relaxing as it is effective. Gentle pinching and kneading movements improve face and neck circulation, releasing tension. Vigorous circular and sweeping strokes stimulate blood flow further and promote lymphatic drainage, drastically reducing puffiness and instantly giving the face a taut and lifted look. Acupressure techniques mixed with tapotement and percussion motions invigorate relaxation, and target facial pressure points to balance energy and promote overall well-being. The result is an instantly lifted and firm appearance that will keep you wanting to press repeat.
True Benefits
Kobido is not just about improving the skin's youthful appearance through a massage technique but, following its roots in ancient Chinese medicine, also strives to enhance overall health and well-being. Kobido promotes relaxation, can relieve stress and is believed to improve the flow of vital energy. Vital energy or "life force" is called Qi in Chinese, and it encompasses the idea that a treatment such as Kobido flows through the body and maintains health. It is believed that by simply activating the facial nerves through the Kobido technique, Qi flow is enhanced, creating a sculpted and rejuvenated glow.
Kobido is usually performed over an hour and can be repeated weekly with 6-7 treatments recommended for best results. In supporting Qi, Kobido masters advise maintaining a healthy lifestyle to sustain the facelift effects.
While we know there is a bit of a hunt to get the treatment, can we as estheticians learn it and provide it as a service? According to various rival Kobido schools and instructors, it's a technical practice requiring authentic training to be true Kobido.
Ancient History of Kobido
Beginning in the 15th century, Kobido was reserved for the empress and other nobility, and was considered a luxurious beauty treatment rooted in the traditional art of anma, a Japanese therapeutic massage rooted in Chinese medicine. The story is that master massage artists decided to compete against each other to define the best massage technique, and Kobido won. Only select people could provide this treatment, and not much has changed.
Training and Schools
Kobido is usually performed by trained and certified practitioners who deeply understand both facial anatomy and energy pathways to achieve optimal results. It is said that if you perform Kobido, it must be earned with rigorous training that can only be done face-to-face and certainly not in a few hours. This massage method has been around long before the training facilities for it existed, but "true" Kobido today is considered highly exclusive.
Grandmaster Shogo Mochizuki, a doctor and the 26th generation master of Kobido, inherits the techniques and offers highly specialized training and practices in Japan. He provides multiple levels of training at his Kobido college, where many students seek to master the exact art of Kobido. His website boasts to be the official certification process for the art of Kobido. The demand for this mastery is evident by the disclaimer on their website:
"WARNING: Fake Kobido School and Instructors
We have been alerted to the presence of false Kobido schools and instructors. These schools and teachers illegally use our name and/or the name of Dr. Shogo. These establishments have no affiliation with us. Most of them teach and use techniques that are not Kobido. The list of our teachers approved to teach Kobido is available below. We have received many complaints about the activity of fake Kobido teachers. They are imposters."
One woman in the in crowd is a former student and esthetician, Delphine Langlois, who is said to have brought the fame of Kobido to France. There, she spent years learning the techniques of the Japanese facelift, and in 2020, she established "Académie des Facialistes" to train professionals in the art of Kobido.
Takumi Finch is another Kobido training institute located in Paris that offers rigorous training on Japanese massage techniques, including the natural Japanese facelift known as Kobido. They began providing training in English in 2023. Suzanne Hyde, LMT was in this premier two-week course and owns Precision Massage in Brooklyn, New York. She says the training was “a dream of a lifetime,” and that studying the methodical approach to sculpting the face and lymphatic system was essential to offering Kobido.
There are currently no "schools" for Kobido in the United States. Still, a handful of people claim to be certified under Shogo Mochizuki, Takumi Finch and Delphine Langlois, or have had similar international training and provide training to various spas.
The lesson? Sacred here is the quest for expertise, and true Kobido can not be packaged and sold through a demo video or a weekend course. Seek those whom you're sure are qualified when deciding to try Kobido. Following the true experience of Kobido, you should pursue authentic training and share the incredible benefits with your clients.
A New Age Ancient Wonder
With clients opting for a more natural appearance and seeking alternatives to invasive procedures such as surgical facelifts, there's no better time to explore the luxurious benefits of Kobido. It was good enough for the empress and remains exclusive enough for extensive training, need I say more? Get lifted, the ancient way.
