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Koh Kayuragi Aloeswood Incense

Koh Kayuragi Aloeswood Incense Nippon Kodo 12 incense sticks Dimensions: 10x2x2cm It begins under the flower of peace, before the fall of the plum blossoms, before monks burning incense in Japanese temples, before the rising scents from scented kimono sleeves mixed with the fragrant incense of natural pine, cedar, lavender, and the flowers of the sun. Japanese incense has a long history.Known as ‘Koh’ in Japan, incense came to Japan from China, along with Buddhism, in the year 538 CE. It passed into the realm of the aristocracy centuries later as a source of amusement and enlightenment as they ''listened to the fragrance'' in their parlor games. It wasn't until the 14th century in the Muromachi Era that incense reached the height of its popularity with the upper and middle classes of Japanese society, who used it as a mark of distinction and sophistication and to dispel unpleasant odors. It was around this time that samurai warriors began perfuming their helmets and armor with incense before going into battle as they prepared to meet their fate. Now, incense promises to become even more acceptable and desirable as a new dimension in gracious living that opens up a whole new world of spiritual awareness and understanding. From that point on, incense would become an important facet of Japanese culture. Initially, it was only imported from China, until eventually Japan began to make its own. Many of the current Japanese incense companies have been in existence for hundreds of years. Many other ingredients are also used in Japanese incense. They are chosen either for their scent or properties in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Most ingredients for Japanese incense come from India and South-East Asia. Agarwood and sandalwood are the two most important ingredients. Agarwood is known as jinkō in Japan, which translates as ''incense that sinks in water,'' due to the weight of the resin in the wood. Agarwood is now consideredendangered species and its use in incense may soon diminish. Sandalwood is one of the most calming incense ingredients and lends itself well to meditation. The most valued sandalwood comes from Mysore in the state of Karnataka in India, where it too is endangered. Another important ingredient in Japanese incense is kyara (伽羅). Kyara is one kind of agarwood (Japanese incense companies divide agarwood into six categories depending on the region obtained and properties of the agarwood). Kyara is currently worth more than its weight in gold. Makkō (抹香 or 末香) is another ingredient used in Japanese incense. Makkō actually just translates as ''incense powder''. The incense powder that is normally being referred to is called tabu no ki (椨の木). Makko is used to bind the ingredients together. It is remarkable for being able to bind ingredients while having little scent of its own. Kōdō (香道 - Way of Fragrance) is the Japanese art of appreciating incense, and involves using incense within a structure of codified conduct. Though it is counted as one of the three classical arts of refinement, it is relatively unknown amongst modern Japanese people. Kōdō includes all aspects of the incense process - from the tools (香道具), which, much like tools of the tea ceremony, are valued as high art, to activities such the incense-comparing games kumikō (組香) and genjikō (源氏香). Nippon Kodo's devotion to making fine incense follows a long and honoured tradition that started more than 400 years ago and can be traced back to Jyuemon Takai, better known as Koju, a skilled artisan in the art and the principal provider of precious rare and exquisite aromas to the Emperor of Japan and his Court. Many of those pleasing and enduring high-quality incense fragrances, which the company continues to produce to this day, are based on the original formulas created by Koju and later by Yujiro Kito, who was hailed as the genius of fragrance during the Meiji restoration period in the 19th century - around the time that Japan opened its doors to the world and began to modernize itself. Three of those early incense products that were very much in vogue then and are still very popular today in Japan, as well as other countries around the world, are: Hana-no-Hana, Wakako and Taikan. Their traditional wood and floral aromas, along with other popular and fashionable scents, are being reproduced today by Nippon Kodo in modern factories in Japan using the most advanced methods and technology.

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