Seamus Hammond
Incense burners are an integral part of Japanese culture and history. Used in religious ceremonies, meditation, aromatherapy, and even as a perfume, incense burners in Japan are made from a variety of materials, including cast iron, stoneware, soapstone, clay, and ceramics. The burning of incense in Japan dates back to the 6th century when it was introduced alongside Buddhism. Today, incense burners come in various forms, from bowls and censers to pans and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Place of Manufacture | Japan |
| Materials Used | Cast iron, stoneware, soapstone, clay, ceramics |
| Types | Incense bowls, incense censers, incense pans, incense stick holders, minimalist accessories, etc. |
| Brands | Nippon Kodo, Kungyodo |
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What You'll Learn
- Incense burners are made from various materials, including cast iron, stoneware, soapstone, clay, and ceramics
- Incense burners come in many forms, such as bowls, censers, pans, and stick holders
- Incense burners are used in Koh-Do (incense ceremonies)
- Incense was first recorded in Japan in 595 during the reign of Empress Suiko
- Incense burners are also used in incense-comparing games, such as the jusshūkō, or ten-round incense game
Incense burners are made from various materials, including cast iron, stoneware, soapstone, clay, and ceramics
Incense burners are made from a variety of materials, each with its own unique properties and advantages. Here is a closer look at some of the common materials used:
Cast Iron
Cast iron incense burners are known for their durability and longevity. They are often intricately designed and can be ornamental pieces. Cast iron incense burners are compatible with various forms of incense, including leaf, cone, and uzumaki incense. To maintain cast iron incense burners, it is important to keep them in a dry and well-ventilated place to prevent rusting.
Ceramics
Ceramic incense burners are popular choices for those seeking unique and custom-made pieces. They often feature intricate designs and can be personalized to suit individual preferences. Ceramic burners are available in a range of styles, from antique to modern, and can be paired with other materials such as alloy lids or natural clay.
Clay
Clay incense burners offer a wide range of options, from handmade creations to vintage pieces. They are known for their artistic appeal, with fine detailing and paintings that showcase the tradition of Mexican art. Clay burners can be customized and are often paired with other materials such as natural clay or ceramic.
Stoneware
Stoneware incense burners are handcrafted and suitable for burning smudge sticks, resin, or loose incense. They are made from clay and glazed to create unique shades and designs. Stoneware burners are durable and can be used with incense sticks or cones. Due to their handmade nature, each stoneware burner may vary slightly in size and appearance.
Soapstone
Soapstone incense burners are also available, although there is less information about their specific characteristics and advantages.
These materials offer a diverse range of options for incense burners, allowing users to choose based on their aesthetic preferences, durability, and compatibility with different types of incense.
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Incense burners come in many forms, such as bowls, censers, pans, and stick holders
Incense burners are available in a variety of forms, each catering to a specific type of incense. For example, stick burners are designed to hold incense sticks upright or at an angle, while cone burners have a hollow surface to accommodate cone-shaped incense. Coil burners, on the other hand, often feature spiral designs or hooks to support the coil structure. These burners can be made of various materials, including wood, metal, or ceramic, and can range in style from minimalistic to elaborate.
Bowls are another popular form of incense burners. Handcrafted bowls made of brass or recycled materials can be filled with sand and used to burn incense sticks, natural wood incense, or charcoal. These bowls often have a removable screen top for easy cleaning and may come with a carved wooden stand. Stoneware bowls, artisan-made in places like Upstate New York, are also suitable for burning smudge sticks, resin, or loose incense.
Censers, which are incense burners used in ceremonial contexts, come in various designs. The hill censer, a popular form originating from the Han dynasty, features apertures that make the rising incense smoke resemble mist around a mountain peak. Japanese censers, known as "koro," are often globular with three feet and made from materials like pottery, porcelain, or bronze. A similar censer used by Buddhist sects in Japan is the "egōro," typically made of brass with a long handle.
Stick holders, as the name suggests, are designed to hold incense sticks. They often feature narrow holes or grooves to secure the sticks, allowing them to burn evenly and release their fragrance. These holders can be made from wood, metal, or ceramic and can range from simple to intricately carved decorative pieces. Electric burners, a type of stick holder, provide a flame-free option by utilising electric heat sources.
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Incense burners are used in Koh-Do (incense ceremonies)
Incense-burning is an ancient practice, thought to have originated in the Middle East and dates back to biblical times. It is considered a sacred offering that brings calmness to the mind and allows us to "communicate with the transcendent." Incense burning was introduced to Japan through Buddhism and "incenses for prayers." The practice of using incense in non-religious ways gained popularity among Japanese royals, officials, and the higher classes, who used the scented smoke for fumigation and to accompany meditation and prayer.
The use of incense traveled beyond the aristocracy and became accessible to intellectuals and artists. This history led to the formation of Koh-do, the incense ceremony considered a Japanese art form. The Koh-do ceremony is a ritual that helps people journey deeper into the multifaceted experience of burning incense. It is a practice used to strengthen the olfactory senses, heighten states of meditation, and sharpen awareness, while strengthening one's relationship with the plants used in the ceremonies.
In a standard Koh-do ceremony, a tiny piece of agarwood is selected for a desired fragrance and effect. Agarwood, called "jinkoh" in Japanese, is the most common type of incense used in the ceremony, although other types of incense may be used. The small fragment of incense is carefully placed on a mica plate, which sits on a small mound of rice ash that covers a red-hot charcoal. The ceramic cup containing the charcoal, rice ash, mica chip, and incense wood is then passed around the circle. One by one, participants focus on breathing in the rich fragrant essence through their nose, experiencing the pleasant beauty of aromas, the opening of the senses, sharpening of awareness, and uplifting of the spirit.
There are two major schools of Koh-do: the Oie School, which is the Kodo of aristocrats, and the Shino School, which is the Kodo of warriors.
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Incense was first recorded in Japan in 595 during the reign of Empress Suiko
The earliest forms of incense typically involved some form of resin and were rolled into balls. During the Nara period (710-794), courtiers inspired by the use of incense in Buddhist temple rituals began to burn incense in their homes. The incense was kneaded and mixed into balls, used to perfume the air, clothes, and hair. The Heian-period (794-1185) court classic, The Tale of Genji, formed the basis of the association of classical literature and incense, with incense games connected to the literary classic also gaining popularity.
By the 14th century, samurai warriors were using incense to purify their helmets and armour, hoping it would make them invincible in battle. During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), samurai also used incense to scent their armour and for relaxation between battles. Aristocrats during this time also hosted incense parties and games, where attendees would guess the composition of different incense varieties.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, incense became popular with the middle and upper classes in Japan, and a wider range of people began to use it regularly. The Muromachi period (1336-1573) saw the development of Kodo, the Japanese incense ceremony, with the art of appreciating incense through refined rituals established. The late Muromachi period in the 16th century saw the development of kōdō, the art of enjoying the incense of smouldering kōboku. The present style of kōdō retains the structure and manner of the Muromachi period, with the tea ceremony and the ikebana style of flower arrangement also developing during this time.
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Incense burners are also used in incense-comparing games, such as the jusshūkō, or ten-round incense game
Incense-burning has been a significant part of Japanese culture for centuries. The practice was introduced to Japan from China in the twelfth century with the advent of Zen Buddhism. Aristocratic warriors would hold ceremonies where guests would take turns enjoying different pieces of incense. This led to the development of incense-comparing games, such as the jusshūkō, or ten-round incense game.
The jusshūkō is one of the most well-known incense-comparing games. It involves passing around different incense ten times, with the necessary utensils held in a decorative lacquered box. Small boxes, known as kōgō and kōbako, were used to store the incense wood or incense mixture balls and were prepared in a variety of shapes, materials, and motifs.
The utensils used for the incense games were just as important as the incense itself. A small incense heater, or kikikōro, was passed among the guests. These heaters could be made of porcelain and have three legs, or they could be made of maki-e decorated lacquer with a metal plate inside. A hot charcoal piece was placed inside the heater, along with ash, to warm a small piece of incense wood and release its fragrance.
Incense games were often associated with poetry or literary classics, such as The Tale of Genji, and the utensils and boxes used for the games became highly decorated and valued. The popularity of incense games spread during the Edo period when the wealthy merchant class gained access to incense. Incense burners and other utensils became part of the wedding trousseau of provincial warrior families.
Even today, incense-burning remains an important aspect of Japanese culture, with renowned incense makers like Nippon Kodo and Kungyodo offering a range of incense products and experiences to enthusiasts worldwide. Thejusshūkō game has also inspired adaptations in other forms of art, such as the Kabuki Theatre play "Jusshuko: Ten Types of Incense," which depicts a power struggle between two warlords over a sacred helmet.
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Frequently asked questions
Japanese incense burners are made from a variety of materials, including cast iron, stoneware, soapstone, clay, and ceramics.
Japanese incense burners can be purchased from online Japanese incense stores, such as Nippon Kodo, or in-store in Japan.
A Japanese incense burner is called a kōro.
Japanese incense burners are used for burning incense sticks, coils, and aromatic oils. They are also used in Koh-Do, a traditional incense ceremony.
A Japanese incense burner with a lid is called an akoda-kōro. These burners have holes for inserting incense sticks and are used for safely burning them.
