Antonio Mcgowan
The incense clock is a timekeeping device that originated in China during the Song dynasty (960–1279 CE) and spread to neighbouring East Asian countries such as Japan and Korea. Incense clocks were used to measure time by burning incense sticks or powdered incense, which were calibrated to burn at a consistent rate. The basic blueprint of an incense clock involves trays, intricate labyrinth-designed stencils, a spatula or leveller tool, and a latticework lid to help keep the incense lit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | China |
| Time of Origin | 6th century CE |
| Other Countries Used In | Japan, Korea, India, Tibet |
| Materials | Wood, stone, metal |
| Incense Type | Stick, powder |
| Time Measurement | Length of burn, scent, bells/gongs, weights |
| Use Cases | Religious, social, medicinal |
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What You'll Learn
The history of incense clocks
The incense clock is a timekeeping device that originated in China during the Song dynasty (960–1279 CE) and spread to neighbouring East Asian countries such as Japan and Korea. Incense clocks are believed to have been in use since at least the 6th century CE, as evidenced by a poem by Yu Jianwu, which describes the use of burning incense to tell the time at night. However, it is speculated that the concept of incense clocks may have originated in India and was transmitted to China, as early incense clocks found in China between the 6th and 8th centuries CE featured Devanāgarī carvings instead of Chinese seal characters.
Incense clocks work by burning powdered incense or incense sticks along a pre-measured path, with each section or stencil representing a different amount of time. The length of the trail of incense, or the burning rate of the incense stick, determines how long the clock will last. The clocks were often made of wood or stone, and later, metal disks with patterned perforated tops were introduced, allowing for the venting of smoke and control of oxygen flow.
Incense clocks were used in homes and temples in dynastic China, and their use continued into the Qing dynasty (1644–1911 CE), where they were burned in Beijing's tall drum tower to measure the time until the end of the night watch. Incense clocks were also used in Japan, where they were known as "senko-dokei", and a geisha was paid based on the number of incense clocks that had been consumed during her presence, a practice that continued until 1924.
In addition to their timekeeping function, incense clocks were also used for religious purposes and social gatherings. They were popular among Chinese scholars and intellectuals, who appreciated the intricate designs and variety of scents that the clocks offered. Some incense clocks even featured bells or gongs that would sound an alarm when a certain amount of time had passed.
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How incense clocks measure time
The incense clock is a timekeeping device that originated in China during the Song dynasty (960–1279 CE) and spread to neighbouring East Asian countries such as Japan and Korea. Incense clocks were used to measure time by burning incense sticks or powdered incense at a known rate of combustion. The length of the trail of incense, directly related to the size of the seal, was the primary factor in determining how long the clock would last.
To set up an incense clock, a shallow layer of wood ash is spread across a surface, and a metal stencil is placed on top. This stencil acts as a template for the incense trail, which is marked with the pointy end of a tiny shovel. The groove is then filled with a fine mixture of incense powder, and the trail is smoothed so that it burns at an even rate. The metal template is then lifted, and the incense is lit. The incense clock takes the form of a maze of incense, with a tiny ember slowly burning through it. The length of time that the incense is meant to burn for depends on the length of the trail of incense.
Incense clocks can also be created using incense sticks. These sticks are calibrated to known burning rates, and can be straight or spiralled. The spiralled ones are longer and are meant for longer periods of use. To create an alarm with an incense stick, a bell can be tied to the stick at a certain point. When the incense has burned to that point, the string will be burned, causing the bell to fall and ring.
Incense clocks were used in ancient China and Japan, and were especially linked to Buddhist worship. They were also used for religious, social, and medicinal purposes.
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The different types of incense clocks
The incense clock is a timekeeping device that originated in China during the Song dynasty (960–1279 CE) and spread to neighbouring East Asian countries such as Japan and Korea. The most common forms of incense clocks include the incense stick clock and the incense seal clock.
Incense Stick Clock
Incense stick clocks use incense sticks that have been calibrated to known burning rates. These clocks were often elaborate, featuring threads with weights attached at even intervals. The weights would drop onto a platter or gong below, indicating that a set amount of time had passed. The incense sticks could be straight or spiralled, with the spiralled ones intended for longer periods of use.
Incense Seal Clock
Incense seal clocks, also known as specialised censers, burn lines of powdered incense seals. The seal was typically a wooden or stone disk with one or more grooves etched into it, into which the incense was placed. Different types of powdered incense were used, depending on the layout of the clock. The length of the incense trail, directly related to the size of the seal, determined how long the clock would last.
Incense Alarm Clock
People also created incense-based alarm clocks. A dragon-shaped fire clock is a beautiful example of this. The dragon's body formed an incense trough, with threads stretched across it. Small metal balls were attached to opposite ends of the threads, and as the incense burned down, the heat broke the threads, causing the balls to drop into a pan and sound an alarm.
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The use of incense in ancient China
> "By burning incense [we] know the o'clock of the night, With graduated candle [we] confirm the tally of the watch."
Incense, known as "xiang" in Chinese, was an integral part of a person's spiritual and physical life in ancient China. It was used as a drug, spice, perfume, and a connector to otherworldly forces. The character for incense or aromatics was recorded as far back as the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 - 1050 BCE). The earliest documented use of incense was in ancient China, and it has been a part of Chinese culture for over 3,000 years.
Incense was highly valued by the royal palace and nobility, and it was often used in religious ceremonies, ancestor veneration, traditional medicine, and daily life. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220), there was an increased trade and acquisition of more fragrant foreign incense materials. The practice of burning incense reached its height during the Song Dynasty (c. 900 - 1200 CE), with the nobility enjoying incense as a popular cultural pastime, even building rooms specifically for incense ceremonies.
The Chinese developed a sophisticated art form with incense burning, called xiangdao (香道), which involves various paraphernalia and utensils in different ceramic containers to burn incense. Examples include tongs, spatulas, and special moulds to create ideograms with incense powder. The first known Chinese aromatics book was written approximately 2,500 years ago during the Han Dynasty, and since then, countless recipes have been developed and refined. There are over 400 types of incense ingredients used in Chinese incense and over 100 incense blends that are commonly used.
The ingredients used in Chinese incense often overlapped with traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Some unique and highly valued ingredients include Sichuan pepper, cassia cinnamon, and aloeswood. These ingredients were prized for their aromatic and medicinal properties, as well as their use in cooking and perfumery.
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How to create an incense clock
Incense clocks, which originated in China during the Song dynasty (960–1279 CE), are timekeeping devices that use incense sticks or powdered incense to measure time. The basic concept behind the functioning of an incense clock is timing by combustion.
To create an incense clock, you will need the following materials:
- A tray or a seal (a wooden, stone, or metal disk with grooves) to hold the incense
- Incense sticks or powdered incense
- A stencil to create a pre-measured path for the incense
- A small shovel or similar tool to carve out the groove for the incense
- A source of fire to light the incense
- Prepare a shallow tray or seal with a flat surface. The seal can be made of wood, stone, or metal, and it should have grooves etched into it to hold the incense.
- Select the type of incense you want to use. You can use incense sticks or powdered incense. The incense should be manufactured and calibrated to a known rate of combustion, ensuring consistent and accurate time measurement.
- If using incense sticks, mark the sticks with individual lines to indicate the length of burn. This can be done by partially breaking the incense stick at specific intervals. Alternatively, you can tie threads or strings at certain points along the incense stick.
- Place the incense in the tray or seal. If using incense sticks, simply lay them flat in the grooves. If using powdered incense, follow the next steps.
- Smooth out a layer of wood ash in the tray using a damper until it is perfectly flat.
- Choose a stencil with a design that represents the amount of time you want to measure. The stencil will act as a template for your incense path.
- Use the sharp edge of the shovel to carve out a groove in the wood ash, following the pattern of the stencil.
- Fill the groove with the powdered incense, creating a continuous trail.
- Light the incense with a source of fire, such as a candle or ember.
- To create an alarm or signal for the passage of time, you can attach weights, small markers, or scented chips along the incense trail. When the incense burns down, the heat will cause the threads to break, releasing the weights to create a sound. Alternatively, you can place different scents at regular intervals to signal the passage of time.
By following these steps, you can create a functional and fragrant incense clock that measures time through the combustion of incense.
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Frequently asked questions
An incense clock is a timekeeping device that originated in China during the Song dynasty (960–1279) and spread to neighbouring East Asian countries such as Japan and Korea.
The clocks hold incense sticks or powdered incense that have been manufactured and calibrated to a known rate of combustion, used to measure minutes, hours, or days.
The incense clocks were made of wood, stone, or metal. The most common forms include the incense stick and incense seal.
To set an incense clock, you first smooth the ashes with a damper until they are perfectly flat. Then, you select a stencil and use the sharp edge of a shovel to carve out a groove, following the pattern, and fill it with incense. Finally, you cap it with a lacy lid to vent the smoke and control the flow of oxygen.
Incense clocks are a beautiful and intricate way to tell time. They can also be used as alarm clocks, with the scent of the incense acting as a timer.
