Incense and Candles
Incense
- How did incense originate?
- Where do incense sticks come from?
- What are the types of incense sticks?
- What is the difference between incense sticks and incense?
- How to choose incense sticks?
- What are the ingredients of incense sticks?
- Why offer incense sticks?
How did incense originate?
The origin of incense sticks dates back more than 1,400 years to the time of Prince Shotoku. It is said that “Aloeswood” drifted ashore on Awaji Island in the 3rd year of Emperor Suiko (595) and came to be used in Buddhist and Shinto rituals. It is said that it was in the early Edo period (1603-1867) that the stick-type incense sticks were developed into what we see today.
Where do incense sticks come from?
Incense sticks are mainly produced in Banshu in the Kinki region and Nikko in the Kanto region.
What are the types of incense sticks?
According to the raw materials used, there are two types of incense: “scent incense” and “cedar incense”.
Scented incense
Scented incense is made from the bark of the Tabu tree and a mixture of aromatic woods and fragrances. Recently, scented incense made from charcoal, which produces less smoke, has been gaining popularity.
Cedar Incense sticks
Cedar Incense sticks made from powdered cedar leaves, with a scent unique to cedar, are mainly used for visiting graves.
What is the difference between incense sticks and incense?
Incense sticks and incense are basically the same in terms of ingredients and production process. Incense is used to enjoy the fragrance, while incense sticks are used for Buddhist rituals. However, incense sticks can also be used as incense or vice versa, depending on your preference for fragrance.
How to choose incense sticks?
Basically, incense should be selected by its fragrance, but each person has his or her own preference, so please choose the incense that suits you best.
In terms of function, there is a difference in the amount of smoke. We recommend “tamashiba・jyuo・kamakuragozan・wakamiya・genjiyama” for smoky incense and “hanagokoro・jinkoasahina” for low-smoke incense.
What are the ingredients of incense sticks?
Incense sticks are made from a mixture of various ingredients. Most are natural ingredients, many of which are also used in Chinese herbal medicine. Typical ingredients include Tabu, aloeswood, sandalwood, cinnamon, clove, and fennel.
Why offer incense sticks?
To offer incense is to talk to the Buddha through the incense smoke. Incense also has the meaning of purifying oneself and serving food to the Buddha. Above all, it is said that the main reason is to calm the mind and face the Buddha through the good fragrance.
