A collaboration between Sedbergh’s Black Bull and the Sedbergh Soap Company has been so in demand, it is now available online.
Sedbergh Soap Company created the Black Bull’s bespoke Petrichor toiletry range in 2018, which has proved to be a big hit with guests.
It has become so popular that new products have been added and it is now available from a new online shop at the Black Bull.
The original inspiration for the range mirrors the Japanese influences found throughout the Black Bull, with design elements and references taking their inspiration from ancient Japanese inns known as Ryokan still used by travellers using the ancient pathways that crisscross Japan.
But there’s a little more to this range of toiletries than meets the eye. Japanese culture has for centuries been heavily influenced by the ancient Buddhist philosophy of ‘Godai’ centred on five elements of life – earth (chi), water (sui), fire (ka), wind (fu), and void (ku), which are unsurprisingly deeply woven into the fabric of Japanese philosophy and culture.
The Black Bull’s James Ratcliffe and Nina Matsunaga homed in on the water element, sui, focusing on its cleansing, regenerative, soothing, and restorative properties as they began discussing the project with Dorthe Pratt, owner and founder of Sedbergh Soap Company.
Many will know water is a particular focus for the north of England and in particular Sedbergh. It’s shaped the landscape and continues to do so to this day, though these days it takes the form of rain rather than vast sheets of ice. With the conversation focusing on water, James recalled a particular childhood memory: the smell of rain on a warm summer’s day, when playing outside.
Dorthe took this as a cue, and after a little digging happened across the exact term that refers to the earthy scent produced when rain first falls on dry soil that James had referred to – ‘Petrichor’, derived from Ancient Greek pétra (rock), and ikhṓr, (ethereal fluid) made up of ambrosia and nectar often used by the Gods as potent perfumes – and so the name for the brand was born.
James said: ‘’Petrichor is the essence of a successful collaboration between two independent family-run local businesses.
“The bespoke, artisan-crafted fragrance, inspired by our surroundings, Nina’s rich Japanese heritage, and memories from my Dales childhood is the embodiment of our ethos.
“Ever since it was first introduced in 2018 it has grown in popularity with all that visit The Black Bull, and we are incredibly proud of how well received it’s been.
Dorthe added: “When I set out to compose Petrichor, I knew it would be a challenge. The smell appears quite rarely here in the Dales as there needs to be a warm dry spell first for it to occur, and once it starts raining the scent is gone, so my reference point was rather elusive.
“James and Nina are ideal collaborators and a real pleasure to work with, ambitious, visionary, and open-minded. They placed a lot of confidence and trust in me to bring it all together and when it happened, it was a real celebratory moment for us all.
“Scents are emotive, so when I am told I have hit the brief and brought someone’s vision to life, there’s no feeling like it. It becomes about more than doing business together and creating something new – it gives me a strong sense of purpose and fulfilment.“
