Choosing the Best Japanese Incense: 6 Things to Know

by Brooke Larsen | LIFESTYLE

Japanese incense has been used to purify, cleanse, and unwind for other a thousand years. During this time it has come to be seen as one of the highest quality incense varieties in the world.

Join us as we look into the history, uses, and types of Japanese incense. You’ll find out where to buy the best Japanese incense for yourself, including online incense stores, as well as centuries-old destinations within Japan.

1. What is Japanese Incense?

2. The History of Japanese Incense

3. How is Japanese Incense Made?

4. What is Japanese Incense Used For?

5. What are the Main Types of Japanese Incense?

6. Where to Buy Japanese Incense?

1. What is Japanese Incense?

Incense is natural aromatic material, like tree bark or herbs, that releases fragrant smoke when burned. Today, it can be either all-natural or manufactured.

The Japanese word for incense is ko (香). The same kanji is used for the word translated as smell or fragrance, kaori (香り).

Incense was introduced to Japan via China. Shortly after its arrival, the fragrant perfume became immensely popular. Specialist manufacturers started to create their own incense, honing and perfecting the already ancient craft. Combining ancient and modern techniques, an industry devoted to high-quality incense using only the best traditional ingredients was born.

2. The History of Japanese Incense

Woman with Incense Heater by Utagawa Kunisada I, 1830s, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The earliest documentation of burning incense wood in Japan was recorded in the Nihon Shoki, the second-oldest surviving book of classical Japanese history.

Incense was reportedly first used in or around 595 CE during the time of the reign of Empress Suiko and Prince Shotoku. Shotoku was also known as the Priest Prince for his faithful devotion to Buddhism, a novel religion in the region at that time. Incense had actually been imported to Japan along with Buddhism via Korea and China in 552.

Lily, Lotus and Incense Burner by Ikeda Koson, 19th Century, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Incense had already been used in Chinese Buddhist rituals for some time. Fragrant wood combined with herbs and other aromatic substances was burned to cleanse areas used for religious purposes.

As Buddhism spread thanks to Prince Shotoku’s influence, the practice of burning incense began to grow as well. It soon became popular enough that people started to burn it in their homes. Incense burning was especially popular among members of the Imperial Court.

Suzumushi - The Tale of Genji by Masao Ebina

Incense culture is even referred to in The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari), a famous Japanese classic that depicted courtly life during the Heian Period (794-1185 CE). In the novel, some of the characters play an incense game that was popular at the time, and for many centuries since, in which participants tried to guess the type of incense by scent alone. Incense game sets later became so popular they were a common part of the wedding dowry of daimyo families.

Incense Box in the Shape of The Genji Monogatari, 19th Century, The Met

The popularity of incense skyrocketed during Japan’s medieval period (1185-1603). In the 14th century, samurai warriors used incense to purify their helmets and armor in hopes it would make them invincible in battle. By the 15th and 16th centuries, incense was popular with the middle and upper classes in Japan and a wider range of people began to use it on a regular basis.

A new Japanese art was born as gorgeously gilded and painted lacquer utensils and sets were made to use with incense. Burning incense had become an art form only rivalled by the tea ceremony.

Melon Shaped Incense Burner, 17th Century, The Met

The popularity of incense waned during the Edo (1603-1868) and Meiji (1868-1912) periods, but the art never died. At the start of the 20th century, mainichi-ko, or everyday incense was developed by Kito Yujiro, a gifted master of incense of his time. He artfully fused incense-making techniques with Western perfume culture

Today, incense is still used both in homes and for religious ceremonies as it has been for over a thousand years.

3. How is Japanese Incense Made?

Japanese incense is typically made using sandalwood, agarwood, resin, and/or essential oils. Some incense is made purely with plant-based ingredients; others contain fragrant oils certified by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), as well as dyes.

Fragrant woods agarwood and sandalwood are the main ingredients used in Japanese incense. These trees secrete an aromatic resin, which over time turns into koboku (fragrant wood). Kyara is a type of kobuku with high oil content and superior fragrance, so it’s very valuable.

In fact, because of resource depletion, many of the trees and herbs used to make incense are becoming rarer and therefore more expensive. Only the most fervent incense enthusiasts and connoisseurs seek out those priceless varieties.

The base of Japanese incense is made from the tree bark of the Tabu-no-ki (Machilus thunbergii).

A feature of this tree bark is the clay-like paste that results from mixing its powdered form with water. The paste, called makko, can then be rolled into thin sticks, cones, or coils. Incense sticks are cut so they are of equal length and left out to dry on wooden trays in a large space. Humidity and temperature are carefully monitored.

The incense stays in the factory or workshop for several days until it hardens. Finally, it is packaged and distributed.

Incense isn’t made by just anyone. Seasoned artisans train for years to adequately control every variable that can affect a stick of incense, from the quality and origin of raw materials to aspects like temperature, humidity, and drying time.

4. What is Japanese Incense Used For?

Like other types of incense, the Japanese version has myriad uses. It’s burned for religious ceremonies, meditation, aromatherapy, relaxation, fumigation, cleansing, perfume, or simply to provide an enjoyable fragrance, just as potpourri and essential oils are used in the West.

In the past, lighting incense in the home could aid in fumigation or be used as an insect repellant. Everyone from priests to samurai warriors would purify their minds and bodies with incense.

Incense is still believed to cleanse religious spaces as well as minds. Smells are deeply connected to the brain, especially to memories, so making a habit of burning incense while praying or meditating is an excellent way to get into the right headspace.

Kodo

During the Muromachi period (1392–1573), kodo (the way of incense) developed along with other Japanese arts like sado (the tea ceremony) and kado (flower arrangement). Find out more about Japanese flower arranging in Everything You Need to Know About Ikebana.

Practicing kodo involves following established exercises for preparing and enjoying incense. Typically, a small piece of fragrant wood is heated on a small plate heated from below by a piece of charcoal. This is all held in a small ceramic censer. Various other tools (kodogu) are used for the preparation and incense games are played as well. To experience something akin to kodo for yourself, check out this incense listening class in Kyoto.

Kodo was a popular pastime of the Tokugawa family, the rulers of Japan during the Edo era, and their cultural circle. Though kodo briefly went out of style during the Meiji Restoration and never gained worldwide popularity like the tea ceremony, it’s still practiced by enthusiasts today.

5. What are the Main Types of Japanese Incense?

There are two major types of incense in Japan:

熏香 (kunko): heating or smoldering small pieces of fragrant wood
焼香 (shoko): direct-burning incense in the form of sticks or cones formed from paste

Heating incense involves heating fragrant material over a piece of hot charcoal embedded in ash. Using this method yields a mild smoke that can be almost invisible. After use, the fragrant material is left charred to a crisp yet there is no ash. Kyara, aloeswood, and sandalwood incense fall under this category.

When using burning incense, fragrant material is directly combusted. The smoke from this type is more intense and able to cover larger areas. At the end of the burning process, the incense becomes ash. Burning incense includes stick incense (senko) as well as incense made from natural plant-based binders (like the ground bark of the tabu tree).

A third category involves enjoying incense in its raw form without burning or heating it all. This type often comes in powdered form (zu-ko) or as fragrant bits wrapped in a pouch.

Each type is used for different purposes. For example, shoko, is made from chopping and blending fragrant materials and is used to fumigate and cleanse large spaces.

Binder-based incense dominates the incense stick market in Japan. It’s made by mixing binder powder with powdered fragrant materials and water. Cheap stick incense can be made by forming a binder stick and dipping it into synthetic essential oils. More expensive versions are often pure blends of high-quality fragrant materials mixed with 10% binder or less.

6. Where to Buy Japanese Incense?

As a leading global incense manufacturer, and user, Japan is home to a wealth of places where high-quality incense is sold.

Currently, 70% of Japan's incense is manufactured on Awaji Island. Awaji is a small island located in Hyogo Prefecture (see map), which is also the home of famous cities Kobe and Himeji (famous for its castle). Its main industry is fishing, but in winter the harsh winds and cold temperatures put a halt to that trade. To make up for the lack of business during that time, and to use the strong west wind for good (it helps to quickly dry the incense), the locals turned to producing the fragrant sticks.

Incense is made all over the country, however. Below are some of the most renowned incense makers in Japan today. These made great destinations to add to your Japan itinerary, but even if you’re not coming here any time soon, you can visit their online Japanese incense stores!

Nippon Kodo

Nippon Kodo, which has been around since 1575, is the largest Japanese incense retailer worldwide. Nippon Kodo was even lauded in a delightful New York Magazine article. Wherever you are, you can buy their incense on Amazon, but if you get the chance to visit Japan check out one of their gorgeous retail shops.

Kungyodo

Incredibly, Kungyodo has sold its wares from the same location in Kyoto since 1594. They also provide a kodo experience, although you’ll need some Japanese to get the most out of it! But even if you don’t it’s worth visiting their store to get the sense of the history of Japanese incense.

Baieido

Founded in 1657, Baieido was created as a medicinal wholesaler of Japanese style incense in Sakai City, just south of Osaka. Baieido has an online store based in the US.

Shoyeido

Shoyeido is the youngster in this list, founded in Kyoto in 1705. Rokubei Moritsune Hata founded the company after working for the Imperial Court. Today, Shoyeido is still run by the Hata family. International shipping is available for the products listed on their English website.

Have you ever bought Japanese incense? What did you think? Let us know in the comments section!

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