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Perhaps the most exciting part of enjoying incense, lighting it is especially thrilling when first starting out, and can be as ritualistic or routine as desired. After a little practice, the lighting process becomes as effortless as it is enjoyable. By following a few simple steps, in no time at all, incense sticks can be safely lit and the enjoyment of fragrance begun.
Step 0: Reflect on the use of the incense.
When choosing an incense for use, it may be beneficial to reflect upon the intention for lighting it. Obviously, this step is optional, but pausing to reflect on why the incense is being lit can offer a moment of peace and clarity. This reflection may be as deep or utilitarian as the moment dictates, bringing to mind the enjoyment of fragrance, a special moment of relaxation, the commemoration of an event, or the remembrance of a loved one.
Step 1: Light the incense.
Using a candle, lighter, or other safe source of flame, one end of the incense stick is lit. As Japanese incense does not use a bamboo core, there is no right or wrong end to light, as long as only one is lit. It is not necessary to expose much of the stick to the flame; just the very tip is sufficient to begin the burning process.
Step 2: Extinguish the flame.
Once the tip catches fire, a small flame will begin, like that on a candle. This flame should be extinguished, as incense should never have an open flame. Often the flame will go out on its own, but if it does not, rather than blowing it out like a candle, good etiquette requires gently waving the stick to extinguish the flame. After the flame is extinguished, a glowing red ember on the tip indicates the incense is smoldering and will continue to burn.
Step 3: Place the incense in a holder or burner.
Once the flame has been extinguished and a glowing ember created, the unlit end of the stick is inserted into a nonflammable incense holder or burner. If using a holder, the holder should be placed on a ceramic plate to catch the ash. If using a burner, the incense stick should be inserted vertically into the ash far enough to securely hold the stick. With either a holder or burner, it is important to ensure the incense ash will not fall outside the plate or burner.
Step 4: Place the incense in the environment.
As noted earlier, the best way to experience incense is by placing it in a location where it can naturally fill the space over time. The incense should not be placed right next to anyone or where children or pets might come in contact with it, and it should be placed away from combustible items such as pillows, curtains, tablecloths, and paper.
Step 5: Enjoy the incense.
As the fragrance of incense fills the space, it should be “listened” to not only with the sense of smell but with all the other senses as well. Japanese incense often offers one note from the unlit stick, another note while burning, and yet a final lingering note after the incense has stopped burning. Listeners can delight in the gentle flowing smoke that trails from the burning end and may choose to reflect upon any feelings and memories that arise while listening to the fragrance.
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This is an excerpt from The Fragrant Path: A Guide to the Japanese Art of Incense. Filled with practical suggestions, useful tips, and an exploration of the history, selection, use, and appreciation of this uniquely Japanese art form, The Fragrant Path offers a rare, comprehensive look into the Japanese art of incense in the first in-depth English-language book on the subject in nearly three decades.
