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For over 1,400 years, the Japanese art of incense has painted the air, its fragrant wisps of smoke like the soft monochromatic hues of a sumi ink painting. As one of Japan’s most comprehensive art forms, incense is both an expression of Japanese culture and a reflection of the poetic, literary, spiritual, and historic events that shaped its refinement.
When we “listen” to Japanese incense, we listen to the whispers of nature, enjoying a dialogue with emperors and shōguns, samurai and tea masters, merchants and courtiers, through a shared experience with fragrance that transcends time. Allowing us to touch the wisdom of nature directly, Japanese incense is capable of teaching us not only about its rare and fragrant ingredients but about ourselves as well.
When I founded Kikoh, the sublime fragrance of Japanese incense started me on my journey along what I began to call "the Fragrant Path." But the farther I traveled, the more my reverence grew for the traditions that transformed Japanese incense into an art form. As curious customers began to ask questions about Japanese incense, I drew upon my background as a teacher of nearly three decades to provide answers that were well researched, clear, and understandable. As these answers grew into a number of popular blog posts, I began to realize that there was more to exploring the Japanese art of incense than could be covered in that format and The Fragrant Path: A Guide to the Japanese Art of Incense was born. Three and a half years later, I'm excited to announce that the book will soon be a reality.
Filled with practical suggestions, useful tips, and in-depth discussions of the ritual appreciation of Kōdō (the incense ceremony) and kumikō (incense games), The Fragrant Path is divided into four parts that cover distinct aspects of the Japanese art of incense.
I: Origins
The first part covers the history of the Japanese art of incense, lending context to the 1,400 years of its refinement. As the Japanese art of incense developed interdependently with other art forms, its origins reflects 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. Providing a glimpse into the rich culture of Japan reflected in incense, this part provides a comprehensive look into this uniquely Japanese art form.
II: Selection
In the second part, we look at the rare fragrant woods and primary aromatic ingredients commonly found in Japanese incense. Their sources, characteristics, and natures are described in depth, providing a useful tool to explore the world of fragrance and to deepen the olfactory palette. Also included is information on the basic forms of incense, their qualities and uses, and practical suggestions for where to begin your journey.
III: Use
Consider the third part of this book a “quick start guide.” In this section, you’ll find answers to some of the questions asked most often by those new to using Japanese incense, such as how to light incense, best practices for burning, safety precautions, how to use incense holders and burners, and how to store the Japanese incense collection you are sure to amass. Filled with practical suggestions, this section covers the basics of safely using Japanese incense.
IV: Appreciation
In the fourth part of the book, we go deeper into the philosophical underpinnings of appreciating Japanese incense, learning to listen to incense and open ourselves to the beauty of its rare and fragrant woods and natural aromatics. An introduction to the ritual appreciation of Kōdō and examples of its poetic and literary foundations found in the incense games of kumikō lend clarity to the ritual appreciation of incense. Filled with actions and practices you can take to deepen your appreciation of incense, this section describes ways to value Japanese incense for more than just its fragrance.
Like the other refined arts of Japan, the art of incense can be studied for a lifetime. It is said that to lose yourself in incense is to find your true nature. Whether you’ve just lit your first stick of incense or burned ten thousand, The Fragrant Path offers a rare, in-depth look into the Japanese art of incense.
Coming in November/December 2024 in eBook, Paperback, and Hard Cover.
Available through Amazon and where fine books are sold.
