Japanese incense
Encyclopedia
Japanese incense has a long history. It came to Japan
from China
, along with Buddhism
, in the year 538 CE. 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 incense companies have been in existence for more than 300 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. It is currently on the list of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
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 is endangered.
Another important ingredient in Japanese incense is . 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.
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 . Makko is used to bind the ingredients together. It is remarkable for being able to bind ingredients while having little scent of its own.
Baieidō
was established in 1657 in Sakai City and is the oldest company in Japan. Shōeidō
was established in 1705 in Kyoto Japan. Both Baieido and Shoyeido are used extensively by Zen Buddhist temples, both in Japan and worldwide. Nippon Kōdō
was established by incoporation in New York City in August 1965 and is the largest seller of Japanese incense worldwide. Most of their incense is "Everyday" quality (毎日 mainichi). They do make some "Traditional" incense as well. These three are the major exporters of Japanese incense.
Currently, 70% of all of Japan's incense is manufactured on a small island south of Osaka called Awaji Island. The history extends back to 1850 in Ei of the city of Awaji in 1850 when Senshuu Sakai manufacturing technology was introduced. At the time, Ei was a military run trade port for the Tokushima Clan, which opened the door to the import and sale of raw materials used in making incense. Over time, the incense made in Awaji Island became renowned throughout Japan. The main reason incense manufacturing took root in Awaji Island is because of its nishi-kaze (west wind). This strong seasonal wind hampers the fishing industry, giving rise to the necessity for cottage industries such as incense making. This wind is also great for drying incense.
Kyūkyodō, Kunmeidō, and Kōkandō also sell some incense overseas. It may be difficult to find the other brands outside of Japan. There are numerous other incense makers in Japan, of course. These are the either the major sellers or the oldest companies in Japan.
ese 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).
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, along with Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, in the year 538 CE. From that point on, incense
Incense
Incense is composed of aromatic biotic materials, which release fragrant smoke when burned. The term "incense" refers to the substance itself, rather than to the odor that it produces. It is used in religious ceremonies, ritual purification, aromatherapy, meditation, for creating a mood, and for...
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 incense companies have been in existence for more than 300 years.
Ingredients
The following are the main ingredients in Japanese incense: (also called Aloeswood)Many other ingredients are also used in Japanese incense. They are chosen either for their scent or properties in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
. 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. It is currently on the list of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Sandalwood is one of the most calming incense ingredients and lends itself well to meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
. The most valued sandalwood comes from Mysore in the state of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, where it is endangered.
Another important ingredient in Japanese incense is . Kyara is one kind of agarwood
Agarwood
Agarwood or oodh is a dark resinous heartwood that forms in Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees when they become infected with a type of mold...
(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.
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 . Makko is used to bind the ingredients together. It is remarkable for being able to bind ingredients while having little scent of its own.
Incense Makers
The following are the major incense companies in Japan (alphabetical order):- BaieidōBaieidoBaieidō （Japanese language: 梅栄堂） is a Japanese incense company established in 1657, located in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture.thumb|right|200px| Baieidō: Kai Un Kō, Byakudan Kōbunboku, Shū Kō Koku...
（梅栄堂） - Daihatsu（大発）
- Gyokushodō（玉初堂）
- Kitōtenkundō（鬼頭天薫堂）
- Kōjū（香十）
- Kōkandō（孔官堂）
- Kunjudō（薫寿堂）
- Kunmeidō（薫明堂）
- Kyūkyodō（鳩居堂）
- Nippon KōdōNippon KodoNippon Kōdō （日本香堂） is a Japanese incense company established August 1965. Since it was established this company has acquired several other incense companies worldwide and have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Paris, Chicago, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Tokyo....
（日本香堂） - Seijudō（誠寿堂）
- Seikadō（精華堂）
- ShōeidōShoyeidoShoyeido is the oldest traditional Japanese incense company, established more than 300 years ago, producing high quality, natural incense. In their traditional grading system, the Japanese routinely used shō , chiku and bai , to represent varying degrees of quality...
（松栄堂） - Tennendō（天年堂）
- Yamada-Matsu Kōboku-ten（山田松香木店）
Baieidō
Baieido
Baieidō （Japanese language: 梅栄堂） is a Japanese incense company established in 1657, located in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture.thumb|right|200px| Baieidō: Kai Un Kō, Byakudan Kōbunboku, Shū Kō Koku...
was established in 1657 in Sakai City and is the oldest company in Japan. Shōeidō
Shoyeido
Shoyeido is the oldest traditional Japanese incense company, established more than 300 years ago, producing high quality, natural incense. In their traditional grading system, the Japanese routinely used shō , chiku and bai , to represent varying degrees of quality...
was established in 1705 in Kyoto Japan. Both Baieido and Shoyeido are used extensively by Zen Buddhist temples, both in Japan and worldwide. Nippon Kōdō
Nippon Kodo
Nippon Kōdō （日本香堂） is a Japanese incense company established August 1965. Since it was established this company has acquired several other incense companies worldwide and have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Paris, Chicago, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Tokyo....
was established by incoporation in New York City in August 1965 and is the largest seller of Japanese incense worldwide. Most of their incense is "Everyday" quality (毎日 mainichi). They do make some "Traditional" incense as well. These three are the major exporters of Japanese incense.
Currently, 70% of all of Japan's incense is manufactured on a small island south of Osaka called Awaji Island. The history extends back to 1850 in Ei of the city of Awaji in 1850 when Senshuu Sakai manufacturing technology was introduced. At the time, Ei was a military run trade port for the Tokushima Clan, which opened the door to the import and sale of raw materials used in making incense. Over time, the incense made in Awaji Island became renowned throughout Japan. The main reason incense manufacturing took root in Awaji Island is because of its nishi-kaze (west wind). This strong seasonal wind hampers the fishing industry, giving rise to the necessity for cottage industries such as incense making. This wind is also great for drying incense.
Kyūkyodō, Kunmeidō, and Kōkandō also sell some incense overseas. It may be difficult to find the other brands outside of Japan. There are numerous other incense makers in Japan, of course. These are the either the major sellers or the oldest companies in Japan.
Incense Ceremony
Kōdō (香道 - Way of Fragrance) is the JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese art of appreciating incense
Incense
Incense is composed of aromatic biotic materials, which release fragrant smoke when burned. The term "incense" refers to the substance itself, rather than to the odor that it produces. It is used in religious ceremonies, ritual purification, aromatherapy, meditation, for creating a mood, and for...
, 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
Tea ceremony
A tea ceremony is a ritualised form of making tea. The term generally refers to either chayi Chinese tea ceremony, chado Japanese tea ceremony, tarye Korean tea ceremony. The Japanese tea ceremony is more well known, and was influenced by the Chinese tea ceremony during ancient and medieval times....
, are valued as high art, to activities such the incense-comparing games kumikō (組香) and genjikō (源氏香).