The longer I live in Japan, the more I realize how culturally unnatural it is for Japanese people to wear scent. Strong, western perfume is inherently incompatible in a place where people live in such close proximity and value social harmony. It has its time, and its place, but will never be the norm. Such perfume here feels too exhibitionist, indulgent – even selfish. I have known this factually for a long time, but now I feel it intuitively. I sense what perfumes will be appreciated, allowed – condoned. As a decadent and opulent perfume addict myself, I will admit this has sometimes placed certain restrictions on my scented possibilities; the flaunting of my invisible wardrobe when at work or in public spaces. I am aware that my own clouds of perfume have been quite frowned upon. Detested, even. Yet rather than bemoan the lack of perfume appreciation among the majority of the populace, at times, despite myself, I have almost even come to admire it.
Perhaps this is partly because much of the rest of the world at present is so noisy, vulgar, and in your face (I know that it is not necessary at all for me to elaborate). Perhaps it is also because despite my occasional frustrations at the stress and strain of rush-hour living and the held-back intricacies, the social hypersensitivities of Tokyo, it cannot be denied that the converse side to it all is a calm, tranquil order and flow to daily life here – a sense of gliding through the neon gleam, unharried – that is beautiful.
In this more sensitive and socially aware context, strong, over sugared, or overtly ‘glamorous’ western perfumes can feel antithetical. Anti-intuitive. Tasteless and heavy, like elephants in a china shop. Yet despite this, the pleasure of smell being universal, Japanese have historically long used perfume, for centuries – even millennia – and have devoted an entire art form to its appreciation – ‘kodo’ : the ‘way’, or path, of incense. Perfume, as aesthetic and spiritual adornment, but transformed into a very different physical dimension. To be ‘listened to’.
When discussing the word ‘incense’ and its standard associations, it is important to differentiate between the inexpensive, rough, cheaply perfumed ‘joss sticks’ used at music festivals and the like and what I am describing here. Their scent is quite incomparable. While Japanese temples and shrines also sometimes use the more inexpensive and mass-produced incense sticks in big bundles for ritualistic use in daily ceremonies: a generic, pleasant, wood smoke smell with a touch of camphor and patchouli, not significantly different from what you might encounter at the more sandalwood-influenced Chinese temples in Malaysia or Vietnam, the incense I am referring to here – created from recipes, formulae and time-trusted aromatics – is truly a form of perfume. Rather than a liquid applied to human skin, though, one that mingles with your skin scent and evaporates, this is a perfume that is experienced from without, like the millennia-old origin of perfume culture itself; per fumum – through smoke – that surrounds; that inhabits the air around you; trails your hair, your aura, and then subtly scents your clothes (particularly the kimono, trailing the padded, embroidered silk with an embodying caress of dusky softness).
While there are many kinds of incense available in city Buddhist apothecaries and religious artefact establishments, specialising in the more ritualistic types of incense (austere, dark, even disturbing in their camphoraceous blackness and used for praying for the dead or commemorating ancestors), one type of more floral and balsamic incense that I have particularly enjoyed personally over the years – and which is available even in good bookstores, demonstrating its popularity in daily fragrancing – is the beautiful Horin series by Shoyeido, a Kyoto incense company founded in 1703 that has long produced the exquisitely soft, warm, but mesmerizing blends that can gently transform your living space, your mood, and, when you step outside – as the airborne powder lingers, quietly but perceptibly, on your coat – even your atmosphere.
Horikawa (River Path), the most expensive of the three types of incense in the collection, is a rich, spiced, ambered sandalwood blend that is almost vanillic in its sweetness, with a strong, powdered heft faintly reminiscent of the finest French oriental perfumes – yet drifting, slowly, in the air in the form of coiled, almost ravishing, smoke. It is quite glorious , as plush as Guerlain: the sandalwood – or byakudan in Japanese – not recognizably sandalwood in its more unvarnished, solar and unctuous Mysore sense, but pulverised, compressed; blended seamlessly with soothing unguents, sea shells, cinnamon, patchouli cloves, and balsams, all forming a very warming, and sensuous, salve to the soul. Horikawa is probably in fact the luxury incense that I have used the most over the years, either in stick form or coils (drifting dreamily, quietly, throughout your living space for hours….. friends that stay now often associate that scent with the memories they have of staying here); but recently I have also found myself being drawn to the other two fragrances in this particular series: Shirakawa (White River), a less forceful interpretation of the Horikawa scent structure, and the cooler, more introverted Nijo (Avenue To The Villa). Really, all are nuanced variations on one olfactory theme, with Shirakawa being a more gentle, crepuscular version of River Path, less closedly intense and erotic, but still retaining that incense’s internal, reality-averting thematics.
While I have certainly been greatly enjoying using Shirakawa, the big revelation for me recently, over these winter months, has been Nijo. In the past, when sampling the incense from the box – you can, in truth, never truly understand what the fullness of the incense will be until it has been lit and its secret interiority has been revealed, I had somehow quite wrongly dismissed this incense – the most inexpensive of the three – as being rather bland and quiet in comparison to its more soignée, courtesanish stable mates: far more subdued, masked; best saved for a distant twilight. And yet feeling more reclusive myself recently after the sometimes overwhelming political events in the world outside (I have sometimes had to simply cut myself off from the news), I impulsively found myself buying a box of the coiled incense the other day and, immediately entranced by its powdered, gossamer suggestiveness, as the delicate smoke snaked its way into my consciousness, I am becoming quietly addicted. With none of the overtly perfumed ‘thickness’ or spice (but there, intermittently, under the diffidently gentle surfaces), a more smooth, uniform scent emerges when this incense coil is lit, with a subtly floral element, possibly violet, and iris, that I find assuaging, and benevolent, to the spirit.
Looking at Shoyeido’s international website, written in both Japanese and English, I was pleased to see that this venerated old house accepts international orders (a selection of incense is also sold at the Japan Centre Food Hall and Bookshop in Piccadilly), and that there are also far more varieties of high quality incense, with various olfactive themes and ‘storylines’ created by the perfumers that I haven’t yet tried (“Translucent Path”, “Beckoning Spring”). There are little satin pouches, filled with clandestine powder, to be secreted onto your person, or to be deposited in your clothes drawer, to gloriously evocative – and sensuous – effect. I also see, to my delight, that in Kyoto, it is possible to reserve a place on tours of the factory there and watch the Shoyeido artisans assemble their wares with the natural ingredients they have used firsthand, for centuries, in their studios. This is something that I will absolutely have to do myself the next time I find myself in that ancient and unforgettable city. But failing this, even if you aren’t going to be coming to Japan any time soon, I would wholeheartedly recommend at least trying one of the three types of high quality incense that I write about here, or take the plunge with another. This is perfume of a very different, and quietly powerful kind. Redolent of worlds beyond. Of the ether. Of the untethered. And in these aggressive and turbulent times, what is needed for the spirit is perfume that is placating: beautiful: transcendent.
The Black Narcissus 
Deliciously descriptive, a firmly captivating yet gently alluring description of Japanese incense. Are all of these scents available at Buddhist shops (for instance, the places that sell butsudan)? Or can I obtain them in some other manner as well? I would rather shop by foot than computer if possible, being in the country, as well as being an adventurous soul and enjoying new things.
I have actually been buying these from Yurindo book store, would you believe? You know the stationery sections and gift cards. They have quite nice selections in there. Otherwise check out the Shoyeido stores. I can’t believe I have been here all this time without going to one.
Shoyeido has an American web site which is how I’ve been getting it. http://www.shoyeido.com
Lucky Scent in L.A. also carries the Horin line ~ they have a nice sample pack, four 3″ sticks of five varieties, for the reasonable price of $30.
Great. Which other ones am I missing? Pay day I’m going to the shop for sure.
Thanks, M.W. and Neil! The sample pack of premium, including Nijo and Shirakawa, is on this page at LuckyScent, and I’m recommending this option for folks in Canada, as they include Canadian Customs duties which saves potential headache and hassle:
http://www.luckyscent.com/product/58604/horin-incense-assortment-kyo-gosai-by-shoyeido-
Sold separately (not part of the sample pack) is Horikawa:
http://www.luckyscent.com/product/58601/river-path-hori-kawa-by-shoyeido
Not affiliated, of course.
I’m excited at the chance of experiencing these scents and can’t wait to hear more reviews as you get to them, Neil. Wow!!! I’ve got a tiny little cottage and can just imagine the exotic smoke swirling around and warming a cold late winter on the coast in B.C. . . .
If you are disappointed I will be VERY surprised. The thing about J-incense is that it really is like a bridge to another d
In Kyoto recently I had the most exquisite time at the Lisn store: http://www.lisn.co.jp/sp/ – never fear, there’s a Tokyo store too in Aoyama. I believe the stores are a recent venture of the Shoyeido business.
The design of the Kyoto store is wonderful, and you are able to buy superb single note and deliciously blended incenses *by the individual stick* if you so choose. Heavenly for those of us who want to try *everything*!
WOW! You must have been reading my mind. I need to quiet my mind from all of that’s going on. I will definitely be ordering some of this for my home. As always, I appreciate your willingness to share your olfactory experiences as you also give us a sense of place in the process and it is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you.
You are very welcome. Which one are you most drawn to?
I might also add that, for some strange reason, the note od sandalwood has never been a favorite of mine either, especially if it’s the featured note. I have Killian’s Cruel Intentions that was gifted to me and I have a kind of love/hate response to it. I appreciated it but the sandalwood overwhelms it.
I am a non sandalwood person and very sensitive to it, but in the Shoyeido context it doesn’t ‘read’ as sandalwood but rather a block of richness interspersed with both the familiar and the unfamiliar. In Nijo I experience more just a gorgeous, spectral glowing powderiness.
Oh, I am WAY too excited!!! I just ordered from LuckyScent. Got a pack of Horikawa and a mixed pack with Nijo, Shirakawa, Genroku, Muromachi and Tenpyo. I trust your nose! This is SO cool. Have to thank you, Neil, because this made me get over my fear of ordering from outside Canada and paying customs duties. I re-read your article, bit the bullet, and now I’m counting the days until the package crosses my doorstep.
I have never experienced high-end Japanese incense. My only fear now is that I will be HOOKED.
I fear that may be the case. I am ultra curious about what the latter three are like. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get to Tokyo so you’ll probably smell them before me!
I think this is why I’ve never gone for scented candles. Because Japanese incense is made with pulverized natural ingredients it has a spirit to it that touches the senses but doesn’t jar. It’s a very beautiful art. Also genuinely STRANGE: some blends have ground sea shells, camphor, and agar wood and are so austere as to be quite gloomy ( I love that though). Horikawa, though, is definitely made for sensual pleasure though like I say, recently Nijo feels more tranquil and cool. The floral note in it is really alluring but also distancing.
I am in a cloud of Horikawa heaven. Thank you!
Tell me more!How were the others? I wasn’t overestimating their glorious powdered charms?
Haven’t tried them yet but I’ll let you know when I do, for sure!
How would you describe the Horikawa? It is quite strong stuff, isn’t it?
I’ve just tried to “sample” them all, burning each edition just a moment or two before carefully snuffing out the end, but they’re so marvellously concentrated that my little cabin that I can’t parse out their characters yet. They’ve all just drifted together in the air, and up close they’re just too intense to sniff. I will need some time to get to know them individually over a few days. I am a little disappointed in my nose right now, dear N; very likely it has something to do with my lack of familiarity with proper Japanese incense, of having no context, of having difficulty sensing the notes underneath the smoke. And perhaps it exposes me for having blunt and crude olfactory sensibilities.
I have to say that the Horikawa I tried first, on its own, blew me away and I’m pretty sure it will be my fave. It is like a vintage perfume, everything: floral, fruity, spicy, earthy, smoky, resinous . . . It is almost, dare I say, French in style. Perfume: “through smoke.” Oh yes.
Isn’t it? and NOTHING like the ‘joss sticks’ or cheap Asian temple incense that we have previously been exposed to. This really is an art form all of its own.
The packaging, by the way, of the stick assortment is gorgeeeeusss!
photo please!
Japanese Incense.jpg
Japanese Incense 2.jpg
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Sorry, Neil, can’t seem to post the photos.
Hello! I was reading this gorgeous review and saw that Robin had had difficulty posting photos of the Horin incense assortment (“sample set”) by Shoyeido. Here’s a photo I found online that shows both the exterior and the interior of the box:
I’m extremely fond of Horikawa myself although I feel equally fond of Shirakawa. Basically, anything with ‘kawa’ (“river”) in the name seems to augur well for my nose!
Thanks. I just feel panic looking at those boxes as I know how quickly they will run out! A great way to sample this gorgeous company’s materials though and find out which ones suit.
Thanks for posting.
I have looked at their webpage and am going to order some delicious incense. You have piqued my curiousity with your description of these scents. We always have incense in the house, but it is from Hong Kong, so I am sure the Japanese one will be utterly amazing. Will have to report back after I try it.
I can’t wait. I don’t know much about Hong Kong incense but I have been to temples there and it is usually just some form of sandalwood unless I am mistaken. These are like Guerlain in comparison. In fact I was burning some Nijo last night and I thought it was a little bit like Apres L’Ondee. Powdered, beguiling, much more psychologically complex than more standard, woody incense: I am sure you will be in heaven.
Love to read more reviews. I think I can like this sort of incense. Most I do not care for. I’m going to the web page!
Recently I was in Mexico and bought some very authentic copal incense I smelled in a store. When my cold is better I am curious if it will affect me the same as when I smelled it there.
I write a piece on that incense! Just type in incienso copal
But of course you have! I will! Thanks!
I might reblog it now. Just reread it and liked it.
yes – do reblog! it will be a nice follow up!
But actually, though it is a nice frankincense smell, this kind of incense is still too rough and rasping ultimately. Maybe for an outdoor sacred ceremony, but the smoke is just too harsh. Shoyeido incense is as soft and powdery ( and complex ) as the finest Guerlain.
yes – it sounds soft and drawing. The copal incense was sort of outside when I smelled it- in an open sort of store right on the ocean with a strong breeze, so was surprisingly un aggressive. Which was my surprise and attraction. But a soft powdery complex Guerlain – yikes… my nose is salivating! (and not from being runny with this damn cold) For some reason I have a handful of close Japanese and half Japanese friends. I’ll have to open this discussion…
Have you ever smelled IUNX Eau Sento? I love this frag, but it’s hard to find. Years ago, Patty from PerfumePosse happened to mention that one of the Shoyeido incense smelled like it (which would be amazing) but she couldn’t remember which one. Any ideas?
Ooh. No, I do want to smell it now. I love the smell of actual sentos!