Antonio Mcgowan
Incense is a significant part of Japanese culture, with a history that dates back to the 6th century and the introduction of Buddhism. The Japanese word for incense, 'kō', is written using the Chinese Kangxi radical, which translates to 'fragrance'. The burning of incense is a ritual practice in Buddhism, and it is also used in Japanese tea ceremonies, incense ceremonies, and for casual enjoyment. Japanese incense comes in various forms, with the most common type being incense sticks, which are made without a wooden core, consisting of powdered aromatic woods, spices, herbs, and oils, mixed with a binder and extruded into sticks or pressed into cones.
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What You'll Learn
Incense ingredients and their origins
The main ingredients used in Japanese incense are fragrant woods, such as agarwood and sandalwood, along with other aromatic herbs and spices. Agarwood, also known as aloeswood or eaglewood, is sourced from certain parts of Southeast Asia, like Vietnam, and is considered a premium ingredient. The trees secrete an aromatic resin, which, over time, turns the wood into kōboku. A particular grade of kōboku, known as kyara, is highly valued for its superior fragrance and high oil content. Sandalwood, on the other hand, is primarily sourced from India, Indonesia, southern China, and other Southeast Asian regions. It takes around 60 years for sandalwood trees to develop their signature fragrance suitable for incense. The most prized sandalwood comes from Mysore, Karnataka, India, where it is endangered.
Japanese incense sticks, or senkō, are made without a wooden core, setting them apart from those of other regions. They are composed of powdered aromatic woods, spices, herbs, and oils, mixed with a binder called makkō (incense powder) to hold the ingredients together. This mixture is then extruded into sticks or pressed into cones. Japanese incense sticks are softer than those from other regions due to the absence of a wooden or bamboo core.
In addition to agarwood and sandalwood, other ingredients used in Japanese incense blends include Borneol, clove, cinnamon, and other traditional spices. Some incense producers, such as Asayu, a new Japanese company, offer modern incense lines with single-ingredient blends aimed at a broader market. Their scents are described as more upscale and carefully crafted.
The burning of incense in Japan is deeply rooted in the country's culture and spirituality, with the practice being introduced alongside Buddhism in the 6th century during the Asuka period. Agarwood, in particular, holds cultural significance, with the Nihon Shoki, a classical Japanese history book, documenting the presentation of a log of agarwood to Prince Shōtoku and Empress Suiko in 595 CE.
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The traditional method of heating incense
To heat incense in this way, you will need Japanese incense charcoal, which is specially made to be as odourless as possible and easy to light. You will also need metal chopsticks or tweezers, and a fan or something to blow on the charcoal with.
First, hold the charcoal with the metal chopsticks or tweezers and light it with a lighter. Fan or blow on the charcoal to encourage it to burn evenly. Then, gently place the lit coal on the ash so that it is half-submerged. When the ashes are warm, use the metal chopsticks or tweezers again to gently place the nerikō or inkō on top of the ash next to, but not touching, the charcoal.
The heat from the coal and ash will begin to volatilise the aromatics in the incense, allowing the aroma to spread. This method of heating incense is a traditional part of Japanese culture, with a rich history dating back to the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century. It is used in Buddhist ceremonies, spirituality, and meditation, as well as in tea ceremonies.
Today, many Japanese incense companies have been in existence for more than 300 years, with some combining traditional methods with innovative technology. The main ingredients used in Japanese incense are fragrant woods such as agarwood (aloeswood) and sandalwood, as well as various aromatic herbs, spices, and oils. However, due to the depletion of stocks of premium woods, some companies have had to discontinue certain incenses or use lesser-quality woods.
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Incense form factors and production methods
Japanese incense comes in a variety of form factors, with incense sticks being the most common and recognisable type. The sticks are made from powdered aromatic woods, spices, herbs, and oils, mixed with a binder called makkō (incense powder) and extruded into sticks or pressed into cones. Japanese incense sticks are unique in that they are made without a wooden or bamboo core, resulting in a softer stick compared to other regions' incense.
Another form of Japanese incense is kneaded incense or takimono, which is made by mixing powdered aromatic ingredients with honey or ume plum flesh as a binder to form a dough-like consistency.
The burning of incense in Japan is deeply rooted in the culture and dates back to the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century during the Asuka period. There are two main types of incense burning methods: heating or smouldering small pieces of fragrant wood, and direct-burning incense in the form of sticks or cones.
The traditional method of heating incense involves using Japanese incense charcoal, which is odourless and easy to light. The charcoal is held with metal chopsticks or tweezers and lit, then gently placed on the ash so it is half-submerged. The incense is then placed next to the charcoal, allowing the heat to volatilise the aromatics and release the fragrance.
The production of incense in Japan has evolved over time, with the Edo period in the 19th century marking a significant shift towards industrial-scale production, making Senkō incense sticks more accessible to the general public. Today, companies like Nippon Kodo, Shoyeido, and Baieido are well-known for their high-quality incense products, incorporating traditional methods with modern innovations.
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Incense companies and their histories
The use of incense in Japan is closely tied to the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century. The fragrant perfume was immensely popular, and specialist manufacturers began to create their own incense, honing and perfecting the craft. Incense was used in Buddhist rituals and ceremonies, as well as in Shinto shrines, and soon became popular in the homes of the upper and middle classes.
One of the oldest incense companies in Japan is Kungyokudo, established in 1594 in Kyoto, originally serving as an apothecary to the Nishi Honganji Buddhist Temple. The company has been selling its wares from the same location for over 400 years. Other traditional incense makers include Baieido, which was founded in 1657 in Sakai City, just south of Osaka, as a wholesaler of medicinal herbs and Japanese-style incense. Kyūkyodo, founded in 1663, and Shoyeido, founded in 1705, are two more of Japan's oldest incense makers, both based in Kyoto. Shoyeido's founder, Rokubei Moritsune Hata, worked for the Imperial Court during the Edo Period in the 18th century and intended to make incense accessible to everyone, not just the elite. The company is now run by the twelfth generation of the Hata family. Nippon Kodo is another major player in the Japanese incense industry, with its formulas based on the pioneering work of master craftsman Koju and fragrance artist Yujiro Kito in the 19th century. Nippon Kodo is the largest seller of Japanese incense worldwide.
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Incense customs and ceremonies
Incense is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, with a history spanning over a thousand years. The appreciation of incense, known as "Kōdō" in Japanese, is considered one of the three classical arts of refinement, alongside the tea ceremony and Japanese calligraphy.
The custom of burning incense was introduced to Japan alongside Buddhism in the 6th century, during the Asuka period. Incense played a significant role in Buddhist rituals and ceremonies, and its use gradually spread beyond the temples. By the 8th century, courtiers began burning incense in their homes, using incense balls made of kneaded and mixed fragrant woods, herbs, and spices to perfume their elaborate clothing and hair. This practice of incense purification was also adopted by samurai warriors before battle.
During the Heian period, fragrant scents became an integral part of court life. Incense was used to perfume robes, fans, and even inspired poems, including the epic "The Tale of Genji" in the 11th century. The pastime of "takimono" involved nobles mixing powdered aromatic substances to create personalised scents.
In the 12th century, with the arrival of Zen Buddhism from China, a new appreciation for incense developed among the Japanese aristocracy. Incense ceremonies and games emerged, where guests would take turns enjoying different pieces of incense wood and comparing their aromas. The Muromachi period (1392-1573) saw the development of "Kōdō", or "the way of incense", alongside the tea ceremony. The burning of rare and expensive incense woods increased their value and transformed the experience into a "once-in-a-lifetime" occasion.
Today, incense continues to be used in religious ceremonies, meditation, aromatherapy, and as a simple method of enjoyment or bringing awareness to the moment. Incense-making has become a refined craft, with artisans training for years to master the process. Japanese incense is known for its subtle aroma, achieved by blending natural ingredients and forming them into sticks without a bamboo core.
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Frequently asked questions
Japanese incense is made from fragrant woods such as agarwood, aloeswood, and sandalwood, as well as other aromatic herbs, spices, and oils.
Japanese incense typically comes in sticks or cones formed out of a paste without a bamboo stick. The incense is made by mixing powdered aromatic ingredients with a binder like honey or plum flesh to form a dough, which is then extruded into sticks or pressed into cones.
Japanese incense sticks are typically softer than those from other regions as they are made without a wooden or bamboo core. Japanese incense also tends to be heated over charcoal rather than burned directly with a flame.
Some popular Japanese incense brands include Shoyeido, Kungyo Kodo, Nippon Kodo, and Baieido.
