Tomoya Nishimori, the visionary founder of Mr Brother’s Cut Club, has become a celebrated figure in the global barbering community. With his distinct approach to barbering, he has not only built a brand that embodies the spirit of craftsmanship and creativity but also plays a pivotal role as an ambassador and educator for BROSH, Asia’s No.1 men’s grooming brand from Japan.
Barbering wasn’t always on the cards for Tomoya, but once he set his sights on the industry, he mastered it on a global scale. Following a chance meeting with two influential barbers in Japan, he switched from hairdressing to barbering and became the powerhouse we all know today.
“I was originally a hair stylist in Japan, but around 12 years ago I made the change to barbering, as I wasn’t happy in the job,” Tomoya explained.
“I wanted to work somewhere where I feel I could express myself within styles, and not just focus on a general cut. Around this time, Donnie Hawley, owner of Hawleywood’s Barbershop in California, came to Japan to meet Kawakami from Apache Barbershop, and I had the opportunity to meet them both.
It was because of this encounter that I felt inspired to change career paths to go into male grooming. It is something I had been wanting to do for a while, and this was my sign to take the plunge to open my own shop – and Mr Brother’s Cut Club was born!”
THE BIRTH OF A LEGEND
After its inception, Mr Brother’s Cut Club became a phenomenon. Mixing traditional Japanese styling techniques with retro American barbershop designs cemented their spot as a unique yet elevated grooming location in Tokyo.
Following this success, it’s hard to pin Tomoya down in one place – whether he’s working in the barbershop or educating across the globe with BROSH.
“My day-to-day is constantly busy,” Tomoya chuckled. “I do education almost every week, which means I am always on the road – whether that’s in Japan or across the globe.”
“There is hunger from people not just in Japan, but all over the world to expand their skill set in barbering and styling – beyond the fade,” he added.
“It’s great to spread the message of BROSH as a premium, Japanese grooming brand. People are very receptive and interested in the BROSH brand, our products, and how versatile they are. I love showing people all that you can achieve and create with these products.”
A PHOTOSHOOT WITH PURPOSE
As the cover star for this issue, Tomoya and BROSH wanted to create a photoshoot that would showcase the duality of Japan’s cultural landscape, and in turn, the duality of BROSH as a traditional barbering brand with urban roots.
When you think of Tokyo, your mind will go from ultramodern, neon skyscrapers to historic temples and cherry blossoms.
“We highlighted two different locations within this shoot as a way to represent Japan to the world in a meaningful way, as well as to represent myself and my lifestyle,” Tomoya explained.
“The neon signs and vibrant nightlife of Kabukicho showcase my lifestyle because I enjoy the moments I’m not working where I can find energy and inspiration to carry on.
We also chose to shoot some of the images in Asakusa – with its traditional craft shops and location near the Sensō-ji temple – which represents Japan and what my country looks like to the outside world.”
THE ROLE OF BROSH PRODUCTS
When planning the shoot, Tomoya also wanted to ensure it showcased the versatility of the BROSH products.
“I wanted to show readers that no matter what style, length, or hair type, there is always a BROSH product that will help you achieve your goals,” Tomoya enthused.
We asked Tomoya what some of his hero products were when styling for this collection.
“For the photoshoot, I always start off using the BROSH Styling Base Spray, and this is very essential to me to ensure the hair is prepped,” he explained.
“In conjunction with the spray, I also used the BROSH Feather Weight Fiber Pomade to add texture, while holding the hair in place when adding the final touches.”
PRIDE IN CRAFTSMANSHIP
There were multiple points of inspiration and motivation for Tomoya during this process, but pride was a central feeling.
“Not only do I want to highlight BROSH and my own barbering skills, but I want to show the world how skilled Japanese barbers actually are,” he told us.
“I am very proud that Japan is known for producing highly skilled barbers and high-quality products, so I want to ensure that this opportunity reflects that too.”