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There have been only a handful of books written in English on the Japanese art of incense. All of them devote significant coverage to the origins of Japanese incense because incense and history are deeply intertwined in Japan. The Buddhist concept of interdependence known as ji ji muge (ﾊﾂﾊﾂ無礙) is often illustrated as a spider web covered in dew, each individual dewdrop holding the reflection of every other dewdrop on the web. Like one of those dewdrops, the Japanese art of incense developed interdependently with other art forms, reflecting the influence of poetry, literature, history, and the culture of the time, as well as the individuals who elevated these art forms to their refined states.
A complete appreciation of Japanese incense is not possible without learning about the rich culture and history of Japan that shaped incense into a refined art form. Without this awareness, the comprehensive nature of the Japanese art of incense is easily overlooked and its profound depth and cultural significance lost.
One need only look to popular incense products to see examples of the influence of the history and culture of Japan reflected in Japanese incense. Tennendo Kūkai is named after the founder of Shingon Buddhism who is credited with creating kana – the first true Japanese form of writing that led to a renaissance of Japanese poetry and literature. Literature like The Tale of Genji and the Kokin Wakashū form the basis for many kumikō found in Kōdō as well as the motifs and poetic names of many Japanese incense products such Genji’s older half-brother reflected in Gyokushodo’s Suzaku. Baieido has a series of incense honoring the three unifiers of Japan, including Oda Nobunaga who used tea and incense as demonstrations of power. Nippon Kodo’s Hanna no Hana carries on the tradition of Yujiro Kitō, the founder of the incense house Kitō Tenkundō, who incorporated Western perfume culture within Japanese incense-blending techniques to create Japan’s first modern floral incense in 1911. And both Shunkohdo Ranjatai and Kida Jinseido Ranjatai are poetic homages to the most famous piece of incense wood in the world for which they are named. These are just a few examples.
The Fragrant Path: A Guide to the Japanese Art of Incense emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this art form. The first part of its four parts weaves in meticulous detail the story of the 1,400 years of refinement that shaped the Japanese art of incense and provides a glimpse into the rich culture of Japan reflected by it. Presented within an epic storytelling, this first part provides a comprehensive view into this extraordinary Japanese art.
Filled with practical suggestions, useful tips, and in-depth discussions of rarely discussed incense topics, The Fragrant Path covers the origins, selection, use, and appreciation of Japanese incense. Now available world-wide, The Fragrant Path: A Guide to the Japanese Art of Incense has been sold in Japan, Europe, Australia, and the US.
