Japanese Tradition of Honoring Incense

07/19/08 17:15:28

The Japanese seem not understandable to us, Europeans, sometimes. They are naive and wise, they see things that we do not even notice, and are less likely stop and listen to them, watch and look for a reflection in ourselves.

Kodo or in translation from Japanese 'way of fragrance' is one of the three Japanese classic arts, which besides kodo includes the art of ikebana creations and tea ceremonies, sado. Kodo is a Japanese tradition of honoring incense. Incense is placed on plates, under which coal smolders, so that coal does not burn, but slowly parts with its fragrance. The sense of kodo is not in smelling, but in 'listening' to the fragrance. Japanese use kodo with the verb 'to listen' (kiku), meaning to try to grasp it with your heart and soul, to travel with it through time and space.

What Japanese have known for centuries is known to us now, as well. Western psychologists and aroma therapists speak about large strength and influence of fragrances on people, and we can use them consciously, while they can play with our soul subconsciously.

Tradition of kodo began at times of shoguna (chief general, commander in chief) Ashikago Yoshimaso (1443-1490), who ordered monk Sanjonishi Sanetaki to transcribe and classify all sorts of incense that were used then. Sanjonishi is considered the father of kodo.

The scents of incense used in kodo ceremony are classified into six types of incense, which have five 'tastes' (sweet, bitter, hot spicy, sour and salty). An old Japanese game (kumiko or genjiko) is based on these characteristics, and its point is the correct classification of incense in categories, which demands an excellent sense of taste in players.

Kodo ceremony achieves:

Sharpening of all senses,
Purifying conscience and body,
Diminishing mental and spiritual polluters (kegare),
Mobilization of all strengths of organism,
Curing the feeling of loneliness,
Establishing the feeling of harmony, even if you are under stress,
Not even too much of kodo can harm you,
Even small amounts of kodo can please you.

The perfume Miyako by designer Annayake was inspired by kodo ceremony.

Information on kodo from: japan-zone
Photo: lincenserenewal