Among Japan’s ancient arts of living—chado (tea), kado (flower arrangement), and kodo (incense)—it is perhaps The Way of Incense that remains most elusive. Yet its subtlety is its strength. Practicing kodo isn’t merely about enjoying scent—it is about cultivating attention. The burning of incense becomes an act of quiet observation, a sensory meditation through which the practitioner refines their inner world.

Rooted deeply in Japanese culture and codified in the Muromachi period, kodo’s Ten Virtues of Incense outline its gifts: it sharpens the senses, purifies the body and spirit, calms in times of turbulence, and comforts loneliness. Even in small amounts, incense is said to satisfy, and when used daily, it brings no harm—only quiet insight.

The 10 virtues of incense
During Japan’s Muromachi Period (1336–1573), the benefits of incense were codified into 10 virtues.

感格鬼神  Sharpens the senses
清淨心身‭ ‬ Purifies body and spirit
能払汚穢  Eliminates pollutants (kegare)
能覚睡眠  Promotes alertness
靜中成友  Heals feelings of loneliness
塵裏愉閒Calms in turbulent times
多而不厭  Even in abundance, it’s not overwhelming
募而知足  When there is little, one is still satisfied
久蔵不朽 Will not decay even over centuries
常用無障  Does no harm, even if it’s used every day

Much of Japan’s incense tradition traces back to Awaji Island, where, as legend tells, the first piece of fragrant agarwood drifted ashore in the year 595. That single piece sparked over a millennium of devotion to the art, the island becoming a hub for refined production and quiet reverence.

To practice kodo is to walk a path that leads inward. In a restless world, the rising smoke reminds us to pause, breathe, and remember the sacred art of simply being.

Explore our full range of incense sticks in store.

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