The Story of Japanese Incense

From the scent of faith to the enjoyment of life. At all times, there was a fragrance around people. Let us trace the history of incense in Japan.

Asuka period

It is believed that incense began to be used in Japan along with the introduction of Buddhism. Along with various Buddhist rituals, incense use was also transmitted from the continent.

595 the oldest description of incense in Japan

In the "Nihon Shoki", it is written, "A large agarwood tree washed ashore on Awaji Island, and when the islanders unknowingly put it in a furnace and burned it with firewood, the smoke scented far away, and this tree was presented to the imperial court as a curiosity."

Nara period

During this era, incense was mainly used as an "incense offering" to purify the Buddha's area, and to ward off evil spirits. Incense had a strong religious connotation during this time. It is thought that the fragrance was directly put on the fire.

The arrival of Ganjin in Japan

It is said that the monk Ganjin brought many incense based medicines to Japan along with Buddhist precepts and passed on the technique of blending incense. The nobles, who learned from the culture of the Tang Dynasty, began to enjoy incense not only for the Buddha but also in their daily lives.

Heian period

Blended incense, which intricately kneads fragrances and focuses on the enjoyment of the aroma, came to be used in the lives of aristocrats. The nobles appreciated the fragrance they had prepared and used it to scent their rooms and clothes. In the dynastic literature of the Heian period, there are many descriptions of incense, and notably they are also found in The Pillow Book and The Tale of Genji.

Kamakura/Muromachi period

During the Kamakura period, when the samurai class arose and Zen Buddhism spread, the philosophy of focusing on solely the fragrant wood itself and trying to exalt the fragrance of the tree came to be respected. Around this time, the method of "listening to incense" to delicately appreciate the scent of aromatic wood was established. And as the Higashiyama culture blossomed during the Muromachi period, incense, like tea ceremony and Rikka (one of the oldest styles of Japanese floral art), played a part in the culture of village assembly.

Edo period

In addition to the aristocracy and samurai class, incense culture also spread to townspeople with economic power. The art of "Kumiko (incense-comparing game)" was established, and many excellent incense utensils were created to enjoy it. Various etiquettes for appreciating incense were formalized, and incense was established as a "way". On the other hand, the technology of making incense sticks was transmitted from China, and the use of incense sticks spread among the common people.

Modern

With the change of the times, the incense industry has continued to develop new fragrances that suit the lives of modern Japanese people and is creating a new history.

Further Reading

If you are interested in further details about the history of incense in Japan, please consider the book Koh Senshu by the 12th generation head of Shoyeido, Mr. Hata Masataka.