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The Art of 'Listening' to Incense

The Art of 'Listening' to Incense

In Japanese incense culture, there's a fascinating expression that might puzzle English speakers: in Kōdō—the traditional Japanese art of appreciating incense— rather than "smelling" incense, the Japanese talk about "listening" to it (Mon-kō, 聞香). 

This curious choice of words encapsulates the very essence of Japanese incense culture. But why do the Japanese "listen" to rather than "smell" the  fragrance of incense? The answer lies in a rich cultural tradition spanning 1,500 years.

A Journey Through 1,500 Years

When Japanese people speak of "listening" to incense, it's far more than a mere linguistic quirk. The word "listen" implies an active engagement with the scent—a deliberate effort to lean in with one's heart and engage in a dialogue with the fragrance.

The first recorded mention of incense in Japan appears in the Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki) in 595 CE. The chronicles tell a fascinating tale of a large piece of agarwood that washed ashore on Awaji Island. Unaware of its true nature, islanders used it as firewood, only to be amazed by its mysterious fragrance that reached all the way to the imperial court. This serendipitous encounter symbolically marks the beginning of Japan's relationship with incense.

Initially, incense arrived alongside Buddhism, serving primarily religious and practical purposes, such as purifying spaces and warding off evil spirits. However, during the Heian period (794-1185), the aristocracy transformed it into something far more refined—an art form of subtle and aesthetic pleasure.

Scent:
One of Our Most Intimate Experiences

The Pillow Book (Makura no Sōshi), a renowned collection of observations written by court lady Sei Shōnagon in the mid-Heian period, offers glimpses into the role of fragrance in courtly life. She lists among "things that make the heart flatter" moments such as "lying alone and burning fine incense" and "the feeling after washing one's hair, applying makeup, and wearing a kimono perfumed with exquisite incense." These expressions reveal that even over a thousand years ago, fragrance was experienced not merely as a pleasant smell, but as something that stirred deeper emotions within oneself.

When they say we 'listen' to incense with our hearts, it is because scent is one of our most intimate experiences—each aroma becomes uniquely personal, woven with our values and spiritual nature, carrying meaning far deeper than just 'a pleasant smell.' By turning our attention inward and truly listening, we discover new sensations and states of being we never knew existed within ourselves—it becomes a gateway to self-discovery.

Connect with Yourself Through Taski Incense Collection

This rich tradition of Japanese incense culture lives on in Taski's new incense collection. Created by one of Japan's leading perfumers with 40 years of experience, both incenses embody essential aspects of Japanese nature:

  • Ensō (Cherry Blossom): Flowers that bloom magnificently only to scatter in the wind—a perfect expression of the Japanese aesthetic that sees supreme beauty in impermanence.
  • Kaze (Cypress): Crafted to evoke the presence of ancient forests, this purifying scent cleanses both space and mind.

With Taski's incense collection, take a moment to quietly listen to your own heart.

 

Incense