Meet the Founder
Koji Toyoda is a renowned hairstylist whose career spans from Japan to Los Angeles, shaped by decades of disciplined training and international experience. Beginning his craft in Japan, Koji developed a foundation rooted in precision, balance, and respect for technique—values that continue to define his work today.
After bringing his expertise to Los Angeles, Koji Toyoda established Koji Toyoda Salon as a space where Japanese artistry meets modern hair design. His approach emphasizes thoughtful consultation, refined execution, and results that feel natural, timeless, and tailored to each individual.
A Legacy of Craftsmanship Since 1913
The modern history of the Toyoda family business begins with Jizaemon Toyoda (豊田甚右衛門). Born into a family in Yamagata with roots extending back to the Edo period, Jizaemon chose to build his future through a skilled trade.
As a young man, he left Yamagata and trained in barbering while working in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. Through years of apprenticeship and hands-on experience, he developed his technique and became recognized for his skill as a barber. At a time when the profession depended heavily on discipline, precision, and knowledge passed directly from master to apprentice, Jizaemon devoted himself to mastering his craft.
Eventually, he returned home to Yamagata with the skills he had acquired in Tokyo and the ambition to establish a business of his own.
The Beginning of Toyoda
In 1913, Jizaemon opened Toyoda Barbershop (豊田理髪店) in Hatagomachi, Yamagata.
It was a modest beginning, but it established the foundation for what would become a multigenerational family business. Jizaemon built his reputation through his workmanship and commitment to his clients, creating a tradition centered around the belief that hairdressing is not simply a service, but a craft developed through years of practice.
That philosophy would continue long after his lifetime.
A Craft Passed From One Generation to the Next
Following Jizaemon, the business passed to his son, Minoru Toyoda (豊田實), the second generation.
Under Minoru’s leadership, the family continued to develop the business while adapting to a changing Japan. New locations and services were introduced, and the original barbershop gradually grew beyond its traditional roots.
The transformation became especially significant in 1967, when the Hatagomachi location was rebuilt and renamed Artist Toyoda (アーティスト豊田).
The new Artist Toyoda brought barbering and beauty together under one name, with men’s grooming on the first floor and a beauty salon on the second. It represented an evolution of the original business while preserving the craftsmanship upon which Jizaemon had built it.
In 1996, leadership passed to Sakae Toyoda (豊田栄一), the third generation, continuing the family’s tradition.
More Than a Century of Hairdressing
From a single barbershop opened in Yamagata in 1913, Artist Toyoda grew through generations of hairdressers who continued to learn, refine, and pass down their craft.
The spaces changed. The techniques evolved. Barbering expanded into beauty and modern hairdressing. Yet the foundation remained the same: respect for the craft, dedication to technique, and personal care for every client who sits in the chair.
For the Toyoda family, hairdressing has never simply been a profession. It is a craft inherited through generations, a history built by hand, one client at a time.