Among the many delights and surprises of nature is fragrance. Whether entering a forest, or coming upon a wild rose, one is often amazed at the subtlety and joy of scent. Fragrance creates mood. It can be relaxing and soothing to the psyche or provide clarity and energy.

Opening oneself completely to the fragrance is called "Listening to Incense" in Japan. With the variety of scents available, one can discover an unexpected world of pleasure. For centuries, people have used the natural aromas of nature to soothe, to create atmosphere, and to enliven space. In ancient Japan, only the nobility enjoyed incense as an elegant pastime.

Whether for meditation and quiet reflection, or for creating an elegant environment to be shared with others, the opportunity for enjoyment awaits those ready to explore the world of scent.

A highly skilled artisan makes the most exclusive incense by hand. The density of incense is critical to bring forth the ideal burning temperature for each scent. Nearly 400 sticks are laid down on a flat board and cut with a bamboo knife while they are still soft.

The artful blending of carefully selected natural ingredients makes Japanese incense unique and exclusive. The finest are purchased by master blenders and then skillfully crafted to perfection in meticulously clean facilities.

All of the ingredients are finely ground and carefully mixed with a
powdered natural binding material, Tabu-ko. Twenty to fifty kinds of herbs and spices are precisely blended with pure water, quickly shaped, and dried very slowly.

The quality ingredients: Sandalwood
An evergreen tree grown in India and China: it is mentioned in old Sanskrit and Chinese books. Its persistent woody, spicy scent has made it widely used in religious ceremonies and medicines for thousands of years.
San-na (Ginger Lily)
Jin-koh (Aloeswood)
 A very unusual process of nature creates Jin-koh. This resinous wood has been buried for hundreds of years. It is highly valued for its refined and aged aroma, and comes in hundreds of different grades. Only the undisturbed rain forests in tropical regions over centuries of time can produce this miracle of nature.
Kyara
One of the 6 kinds of Jin-koh (Aloeswood) Kyara is the most valued. Currently Kyara is more valuable per ounce than gold.

Kara-mokkoh (Saussurea)
Roots of trees grown in northern India and China
Ansoku-koh (Benzoin)
The sweet, balsamic resin from a unique wild tree found in tropical Sumatra. It yields a warm, mild scent.
Choji (Clove) Native of the Molluques Islands. Its hot, spicy scent has made it one of the most well known spices in the world.
Rei-ryokoh (Coumarouna Odorata) The entire plant is dried and used in the creation of the scent.

Mo-koh (Myrrh)
Frankincense (Olibanum)
One of the rnost highly prized substances in the ancient world, where it has been used in the ceremonies of many religions.

Dal-oh (Rhubarb)
Cinnamon Bark
 One of the oldest spices known to man. It was traded between India, China and Egypt over 4.000 years ago. Cinnamon is mentioned in the Bible, as well as Greek and Roman pharmacopoeia.
Kansho (Spikenard)
From China and North-east India, this root has been used as a spice for centuries.
Tabu-no-ki (Machilus Thunbergii) Cultivated mainly in Southeast Asia. Used as binding material.

Kashi (Myrobalan)

Haiso-koh (Agastache Rugoa)

Beni-hana (Carthami Flos)
Kakkoh (Patchouli)

Borneo Camphor Derived from the camphor tree, it is a crystalline substance with a characteristic scent. A natural insect and moth repellent.
Dai-ui-kyo
(Star Anise)
Considered one of the main medicinal and culinary plants in China, India, Egypt and Rome. It has a lively, sweet and herbaceous scent.

Kanzo (Licorice Root)
 For centuries, used as medicine and food in many cultures.


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Incense blending requires an enormous amount of skill. When blending with natural ingredients, the quality, balance and ratios are critical. Even a pinch of one herb or bark can dramatically augment or change the resulting fragrance. Moisture, drying-time, and production methods also strongly influence the scent. Shoyeido has been refining these techniques for 300 years.
Handled with loving care, Shoyeido's blended incense actually matures and improves with time. The scent becomes deeper and more mellow, exhibiting the subtlety and refinement for which Shoyeido is known.