The practice of burning incense is said to have been introduced to Japan from China in ancient times. The sweet, rich fragrances wafting through the air seem to have the power to relax even today's busy people. Appreciating their pleasant aromas may also be a great way to refresh yourself during this hot and humid season. There is even incense that you can enjoy without burning it.
Incense, known as ko or o-ko in Japan, was brought to the country around the same time as the introduction of Buddhism, says Shoyeido Incense Co., a Kyoto-based incense manufacturer with a history spanning roughly 300 years.
Initially, incense was primarily used at Buddhist altars. However, during the Heian period (794-late 12th century), the nobility began to enjoy the pleasing incense aromas. They would have their clothes and rooms perfumed with the drifting fragrant smoke from kneaded incense made from various ingredients being heated over a charcoal fire.
Motoaki Hata, senior managing director of Shoyeido, shared some ideas for ways to enjoy incense at the company's Ginza store in Tokyo.
"I recommend that beginners use nioi bukuro [scent bags], which are easy to enjoy," said Hata. Scent bags contain aromatic materials such as byakudan (Indian sandalwood) and choji (clove) that are prepared in such a way that they can be enjoyed at room temperature. Just by placing a scent bag in a room as an ornament or tucking it into a bag, you can quickly create a space with a lovely smell.
A native of Kyoto Prefecture, Hata was born in 1981. He began working for Shoyeido after graduating from university and has worked in the manufacturing, sales, and business departments. He also served as head of the corporate planning division before taking up his current post of senior managing director in 2018. He teaches different ways to enjoy incense at various workshops.
Hata says that while the most common type of scent bag is sold in drawstring pouches, a business card-size type is also available. You can also create your own original scent bag by wrapping your favorite fragrant material in thin paper and placing it in a drawstring bag or a pochi-bukuro (a small envelope containing money given as gift).
If you are interested in burning incense, various types are available. They are made with not only traditional Japanese aromatic materials but also scents including rose and lavender, which have become staples in their own right. Fresh invigorating grapefruit and simple, refreshing lotus are popular in summer.
How incense products are used and their aromas depend on their shapes. You should choose a suitable shape to fit with any occasion, Hata says.
Incense sticks that are about 7 centimeters long and burn for about 15 minutes. The time can be reduced by breaking it and using a shorter stick. Cone-type products release a stronger scent the longer it burns because the area that is burning becomes wider. This type is well suited for spreading a lovely aroma in a short period of time.
Coil-type products, shaped in a similar manner to mosquito coils, usually burn longer. These are better suited for large rooms and busy entrance areas.
Incense plates made for catching the resulting ash and incense stick holders are also available in a variety of designs. Choosing the best one for the current season or your favorite aroma can be very fun.
The number of people who have had their normal lives disrupted by the novel coronavirus outbreak is probably pretty high. "I hope that these pleasant aromas can improve people's mood and can help them relax," Hata said.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
