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In less than a single generation, by the early decades of the 1900s Japan had rapidly evolved from a feudal society of samurai lords to a modern nation competing with the West on the world stage. But as the rapid Westernization adopted during the Meiji Restoration radically altered Japanese society, a new nationalistic movement began to question the abandonment of traditional Japanese culture. The discussion of kokutai, the essence off what it meant to be Japanese, found its way into all areas of Japanese life. Incense was not excluded, as "modern" blended incense that used Western perfumes and floral essences were criticized as abandoning traditional Japanese fragrances. Traditional ingredients like clove and aloeswood were seen as more in line with the Japanese spirit. Based upon a traditional recipe passed down from this time period, Kokando's Tokusen Sennenkō blends clove and aloeswood into a timeless fragrance of rich depth and elegance that embraces traditional incense culture.
The pinnacle of Kokando's famous line of traditional incense loved since the release of its flagship fragrance Sennenkō in 1907, Tokusen Sennenkō builds upon Sennenkō's rich history. Skillful blending of clove, cinnamon, camphor, and sandalwood, Tokusen Sennenkō elevates its fragrance by including generous amounts of select aloeswood. Intended for special occasions, Tokusen Sennenkō's traditional fragrance is smooth, lightly sweet, and timeless.
Unlit, Tokusen Sennenkō's rich black stick is soft, light, and clean, with a light sweetness reminiscent of soapstone. There is a faint hint of woodiness, rich and dark beneath a spicy sweetness of clove, the two mixing wonderfully to create an earthy blend of sharp richness. Binding them together is a light coolness and a hint of a green note that seems to be joined to this richness in a way that elevates it, smoothing off the sharp edges.
Upon lighting, Tokusen Sennenkō begins with a sharp spicy sweetness like that of toasted cinnamon. Building after the initial sharp note is a lightly sweet tone of clove that is delightfully smooth, soft, and airy. The two balance each other, the spicy sharpness being tempered by the rich smooth sweetness of the more pronounced clove top note. The effect is one of calming, slowing the mind, relaxing in the fragrance like the flowing wisp of smoke coming from the glowing ember atop the lit stick.
With time more notes begin to warm into the mix, with light sweet fruity tones adding to the fullness and depth of Tokusen Sennenkō's fragrant profile. The woods in its base here too begin to make their appearance, with a creamy sandalwood element further polishing the clove top note and a light soft woody floral of aloeswood underpinning the richness of the mix, providing a lyrical quality to the fragrance that is elegant and uplifting.
As the notes of aromatics and woods reach the fullness of their expression, a delightful softness occurs, surrounding the listener in a bubble of fragrance. Filled with a smooth blend of clove sweetness, sandalwood creaminess, and spicy notes mixed with hints of aloeswood floral woodiness and fruity sweetness, Tokusen Sennenkō's fragrance takes on a distinctive light, cool, camphoric spaciousness. With a rich warmth encased in a soft sweet coolness, Tokusen Sennenkō is multi-faceted, expressive, and elegant. Relaxing, calming, and soothing, the fragrance is traditional yet timeless, at home during meditation as well as for greeting guests for a special occasion.
Once the burn comes to a close, Tokusen Sennenkō's after-note becomes more warm and toasty, the clove top note giving way to a sharper sweetness filled with notes of cinnamon and spice. The coolness of the burn fades, providing a feeling of being in the presence of the fragrance rather than being surrounded by it. As the after glow slowly fades, the fruity sweetness of clove lingers softly like a gentle reminder of the burn.
Handed down from generation to generation of incense masters at Kokando, Sennenkō has been a well-known traditional incense loved since its release in 1907. As the newest in this line of fragrances, Tokusen Sennenkō is a lovely addition to this tradition. Soft with a blend of floral and creamy woody notes supporting the smooth, fruity, sweetness of its clove top note, Tokusen Sennenkō is a timeless traditional delight for the senses.
Looking back
life always seems sweeter
pain having faded from memory.
Tokusen Sennenkō is available in the following size(s):
200-Stick Box
