The Fragrant Path

For over 1,400 years, the Japanese art of incense has painted the air, its fragrant wisps of smoke like the soft monochromatic hues of a sumi ink painting. As one of Japan’s most comprehensive art forms, incense is both an expression of Japanese culture and a reflection of the poetic, literary, spiritual, and historic events that shaped its refinement.When we 'listen' to Japanese incense, we listen to the whispers of nature, enjoying a dialogue with emperors and shōguns, samurai and tea masters, merchants and courtiers, through a shared experience with fragrance that transcends time. Allowing us to touch the wisdom of nature directly, Japanese incense is capable of teaching us not only about its rare and fragrant ingredients but about ourselves as well.Filled with practical suggestions, useful tips, and in-depth discussions of the ritual appreciation of Kōdō (the incense ceremony) and kumikō (incense games), The Fragrant Path guides readers through the rich history, selection, use, and appreciation of Japanese incense. Whether you’ve just lit your first stick of incense or burned ten thousand, The Fragrant Path offers a rare, in-depth look into the Japanese art of incense.