After finishing my last post feeling quite depressed, I needed to lift my spirits. There are enough downers out there for everyone to get their fill and more of doom and gloom. So let's get happy (somewhat) and talk about incense.
I, for one, adore incense in almost all its forms. Except that weird powdered incense they sell in Botanicas. Not so into that.
I adore Japanese incense most of all; therefore, I will not even begin to start thinking about how the tsunami may have ruined the flow of my precious incense supply into the United States. Not going to think about that....no.
Thankfully, my incense drawer is *very* well-stocked, so there's no chance of running out for at least a year. But I certainly be buying more before then.
Anyways....on to the happy stuff
I've mostly tried the main brands that are available in America, such as Nippon Kodo, Shoyeido, and Baieido. I would love to branch out and find more obscure Japanese brands, and there are many places online to find those sought-after niche Japanese incense brands.
My favourite scents so far are: Shoyeido's Nokiba (softly gorgeous with lots of benzoin), Kyo-zakura (cherry blossom), Haku-un, and Mainichi Byakudankoh; nearly all of Nippon Kodo's Morning Star series, especially the lotus and amber fragrances; Baieido's Kobunbokku, an incense called Zuiun, made with aloeswood (which is amazing); Kokando Rangestsu; and finally Rei-ryoko.
I've also tried various American brands, as well as the famous Sai Baba's Nag Champa agarbatti from India. They were alright, highly fragranced and long burning as well. The only unfortunate thing about those types of incense is the overpowering smokiness of the wooden sticks. Japanese incense, being stickless and made from pure incense paste, is superior in that respect. There is no wooden core to burn off and release an unpleasant fragrance. However, Japanese incense, and Chinese incense as well, do not burn for very long periods of time compared with American/Indian incense sticks, and their respective fragrances are not as pungent. That can be a good or a bad thing, depending on how you wish to use your incense. Some prefer incense to sent the entire space, whilst others just wish for a hint of fragrance in the air to stimulate the senses. Which is why Japanese incense is wonderful for meditation. Some companies even make longer sticks that burn for one hour, the usual time of a Zen practitioners meditation session.
Chinese incense is also excellent, and there are a few varieties available online. Chinese sandalwood incenses are, in my opinion, the best smelling. Nothing beads a sandalwood incense coil from China, except the really expensive Japanese Junenko coils (but those are a bit too pricey for me at the moment).
I would love to try Korean incense, so that is on my "to-try" list as well.
Recently, I began a foray into the traditional method of incense burning- resins on a charcoal disk. That was a very interesting experience. It made me understand why that was the method of choice for most Pagans in their ritual practice. Resins, not only smelling very earthy and sensual, give off a lot of smoke, and do put one in a more focused state of mind. Just the act of sprinkling resins and herbs on a piece of burning charcoal feels ancient in itself, so there is a connection in that method with aligning ourselves with those gone before us as practitioners of the "Old Ways".
So that, is all I have to say right now on the matter. There's much more floating around in my head, but I don't have the stamina to get it all down in this post. At least I feel somewhat distracted from my worries at the moment, and I'm now off to look at the many websites I frequent to make note of my future incense purchases.
Love to all, and blessed be!
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