A Brief History of Japanese Incense

Incense has played a significant role in Japanese culture for centuries, prized among courtesans, priests, and aristocrats alike.

The introduction of incense to Japan can be traced back to the 6th century with the arrival of Buddhism. Its first recorded appearance was in 595, under the reign of Empress Suiko. As the story goes, an inhabitant of the island of Awajishima used some driftwood to light a fire. In doing so, he found himself seduced by an indescribable fragrance being emitted by the flames.

In his excitement, the islander brought the piece of driftwood before the imperial court. There, the regent, Prince Shotoku, told him that the wood was a rare variety known as “Jinkoh,” (aloeswood or agarwood).

The use of incense spread across Japan from the 6th century onward, initially as part of Buddhist ritual, specifically “incense for prayers.” 

Growing popularity among the aristocracy

However, it wasn’t until the Heian period (794-1185) that incense began to gain greater cultural cache outside of religious ceremony and prayer offerings. During this time, the aristocracy began to use incense more casually as a way to perfume their households and clothing as a sign of elegance and taste. Incense also appears prominently in The Tale of Genji, one of the most important works of Japanese literature, cementing its reputation as a refined cultural object.

During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), samurai warriors used incense to scent their armor, and for relaxation between battles. During this time, it also became popular for aristocrats to host incense parties and games, in which attendees would enjoy different incense varieties and attempt to guess their composition. 

The Muromachi period (1336-1573) saw the development of Kodo, the Japanese incense ceremony. Kodo, or “the way of incense,” was formalized during this time, and the art of appreciating incense through refined rituals was established. The Kodo ceremony developed alongside the tea ceremony, as part of a wave of cultural and artistic revival.

Incense continued to be an integral part of Japanese culture during the Edo period (1603-1868), where it was used in everyday life as well as in religious practices. The incense industry flourished during this period, with artisans developing various blends and forms of incense that catered to different tastes and purposes. 

Today, incense remains deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, used in religious ceremonies, meditation practices, and as an essential element of Japanese aesthetics.

What is Incense?

Incense is a substance, such as a piece of agarwood, or combination of elements, that releases fragrant smoke when burned. The basic components of incense include aromatic materials, which can be natural plant-based ingredients like herbs, spices, woods, and resins. These materials are often ground into a powder and mixed with a binder to form different shapes, such as sticks, cones, or coils. The earliest forms of incense typically involved some form of resin and were simply rolled into balls.

In Japan, the most common materials used in incense crafting include agarwood, sandalwood, cinnamon, clove, and various herbs. Agarwood, known as “Jinkoh” in Japanese, is particularly prized for its deep, rich aroma and is often used in high-quality incense. Sandalwood, or “Byakudan,” is another popular ingredient, known for its sweet, woody scent. The crafting of incense in Japan is a meticulous process, often passed down through generations of artisans. The blend of materials, the shaping of the incense, and the careful drying process all contribute to the final product’s quality and fragrance.

Incense for prayer and meditation

In Japan, incense is most commonly used in religious and spiritual contexts, particularly in Buddhism. In Buddhist temples, incense is burned as an offering to the Buddha.

Beyond religious practices, incense is also used in Japan for meditation and relaxation. The calming scents of incense help to create a peaceful environment, conducive to introspection and mindfulness. Incense is often used in the practice of Zazen, a form of seated meditation in Zen Buddhism, to help practitioners focus and center their thoughts.

Incense also has a place in other cultures and religions around the world. In Hinduism, incense is burned during pujas, or prayers, as an offering to deities. Christians use incense in various ceremonies, symbolizing the presence of the divine. Other cultures use incense in homes to cleanse spaces, ward off negative energy, or simply to create a pleasant atmosphere.

Kodo: The Japanese Incense Ceremony

Kodo, which translates to “the way of incense,” is a traditional Japanese ceremony that involves the appreciation of incense in a highly ritualized manner. Much like the tea ceremony or the art of flower arranging, Kodo is considered one of Japan’s refined arts.

The Kodo ceremony typically involves several participants who gather to “listen” to the incense. During the ceremony, small pieces of fragrant wood or blended incense are heated (not burned!). Participants then take turns inhaling the scent, often while reciting poetry or engaging in thoughtful conversation.

The ceremony also includes elements of competition, where participants try to identify different incense blends by scent alone. The goal being to demonstrate knowledge and sensitivity to the subtle nuances of fragrance.

Incense from Still Sitting

Still Sitting offers a range of high-quality incense products that cater to both traditional and modern uses. Our incense is sourced from Japan and carefully crafted using natural ingredients. We have found blends designed to enhance meditation practices or bring a touch of Japanese aesthetics to your home. We offer a range of scents including “Moss Garden,” “White Cloud,” and “Golden Pavilion.”

Whether you are a practitioner of meditation or a lover of Japanese culture, we offer incense that is just right for you. 

A note on our research and sources

Still Sitting is committed to writing and researching informative, engrossing, and accurate articles for our blog. There are many places to find information online. So, we work hard to ensure that we are a trusted source for all of our readers. Our blog is intended to help you to learn more about our products and services, and about the cultural and historical subjects that we hold dear. We also hope that what you read here will help you make informed purchasing decisions. As part of this commitment, we include the sources we used to write our posts:

Koju Incense Ceremony and Culture

The Met Museum on Japanese Incense

Shoyeido Incense: A History of Incense

Agarwood: The Fragrance of a Wounded Tree

Common Japanese Incense Ingredients