Japanese Incense

Incense was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks during the 6th century.  Originally used for religious rituals in temples, incense gained popularity with imperial courtiers from the late Nara period (710-784) and throughout the Heian period (794-1183).  With the establishment of the first shogunate during the Kamakura period (1192-1333) and as Zen Buddhism took root, incense found its way to the samurai class.  Incense games were played, where different aromatic woods were compared and guessed at.  During the Muromachi period (1392-1573), together with chadō (The Way of Tea), kōdō (The Way of Incense) flourished.  Just like the tea ceremony, the incense ceremony was refined to a very precise art.  Incense continued in popularity through the Edo period (1615-1867) but lost its following when the Meiji emperor took control of Japan from the Tokugawa shogunate and instituted reforms to modernize Japan.  In recent times, interest in Japanese incense has experienced a revival. Centuries-old incense makers, apart from their traditional incense product, have started producing fragrances that are suitable to modern tastes.

We at the ikebana shop chose some of these modern incenses from Kyoto, Japan for you to enjoy. Japanese incense uses only natural ingredients.  Japanese incense burns pure.  It uses no wooden core or other smoky substances. The scent is subtle, not heavy, never overwhelming, and always intriguing. Incense, once burned, will never come back.  Savour incense as a once-in-a-lifetime moment, a celebration of impermanence.

Stick Incense

Probably the most familiar type.  Because it burns evenly in small increments, stick incense suits smaller spaces.  Enjoy stick incense for your meditation and relaxation in your private quarters.

We have different varieties and grades of stick incense available.

$9.95 ~ $17.95

Cone Incense

Shaped in a cone, this incense burns more intensely but at a shorter time.  It is more suitable for larger spaces like the family room or entrance hall. Light one up before your guests arrive so they could be greeted with a fragrant welcome.

We have different varieties and grades of cone incense available.

$14.95 ~ $27.95 (all incense cone packs come with a mini dish)

Inkō (pressed incense)

A set of 12 pressed incense pieces (one for each month of the year) plus a mini ceramic stand is $24.50

Bunkō (incense envelope)

Incense envelopes come in sets of 2 for $6.95.  We have one type of scent for each of the 12 months and each of the 4 seasons.

O-kō bukuro (Incense sachets)

Incense powder put in little bags.  They can be quite decorative with the addition of making its surrounding fragrant.  Put them at your entrance hall, in your closet or in your car to freshen up the interior.

Set of 3 mini sachets $12.50.   

Incense stands

We have stick incense stands from Japan.

Ceramic bamboo leaf  $12.00

Cast iron black               $7.50

Swarovksi crystal           $6.50

Ceramic oribe leaf          $6.50