Miyako by Annayake

Miyako is a Japanese female name, and the fragrance Myako is very Japanese. This fragrance was inspired by traditional Japanese ritual Kodo, or 'way of the fragrance'. Kodo is one of the three classical Japanese arts, which besides kodo include the art of creation of Ikebana, and the tea ceremony, Sado. Kodo is a tradition of paying respect to incense. Incense is placed on a plate placed over the smoldering coals. The incense does not burn but slowly releases its fragrance.

The meaning of kodo is not in smelling, but in 'listening' to the fragrance. For the kodo ceremony Japanese use the verb kiku, 'listen', meaning to try to get to know the fragrance with the heart and soul and travel with it through the time and space.

The tradition of kodo dates back in the time of the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1443-1490), who ordered a monk, Sanjonishi Sanetaka to list and classify all kinds of incense that were used in that time. Thus Sanjonishi is considered to be the father of kodo.

The scents of incense used in the kodo ceremony are divided in six types with five tastes – sweet, spicy hot, bitter, salty and sour. These qualities are the base for the traditional Japanese game, kumiko or genjiko, the meaning of which is in proper classification of incenses according to these categories, what requires excellent olfactive abilities. In the heart of Miyako is frankincense, and floral, balsamic and woodsy notes make it a good company. The outer box opens like the door of a Japanese temple. This limited fragrance was launched in 2005.

Top notes: cardamom, cinnamon, frankincense
Middle notes: Hinoki wood, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, patchouli, cedar, sandalwood
Base notes: musk, wild rose, benzoin, myrrh, amber