Incense : Nyukoh (Frankincense) Brand : Tennendo Source : Purchased from Japan Amount Burnt so far prior to this review : 13 sticks Taste profile : Sweet : +++ Sour, Salty, Spicy: very slight tinge Scent characteristics : Texture – thick juicy creamy Binder notes – little Intensity – +++ Focus : Thick diffuse… [Read More…]
Incense Review – Scents of the Edo Period
In the Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the stick incense was invented. Dried herbs were blended, ground into powder, and mixed with binder powder, the powdered bark of the Machilus Thunbergii tree which acts as a glue when wet. The resultant dough could then be extruded or rolled into sticks, and allowed to dry in… [Read More…]
Incense Review – Translucent Path from Shoyeido
Incense : Shokaku (Translucent Path) Brand : Shoyeido Source : Purchased from Japan Price : 9450 yen / 15 sticks (USD $95) Amount Burnt so far prior to this review : 6 sticks Taste profile : Sweet : +++ Bitter : very slight tinge Sour: very slight tinge Scent characteristics : Texture – Mellow, soft, ethereal … [Read More…]
Incense Review – Battle of the Tangy notes!
Apologies for the slow update, this article was taking quite a while to write and required several revisitations to the respective incenses over a few days before I could finalize it. It is into its 7th revision now and I’m publishing it for the time being, subjected to further edits. I thought I would… [Read More…]
Incenses from Kogado 香雅堂
This is by far the ultimate pure mysore sandalwood stick I’ve ever came across in Japanese Incenses! Having had several hours of heavy rain where I am, perhaps this picture outside my window is the most apt in describing the exact olfactory experience during the burn process of this incense, tranquil, cool, sweet, misty with bright sparkles. At the back of my head, the Phantom of the Opera’s Music of the Night plays at half its usual speed.
Incense Review – Hana-no-sho from Gyokushodo
Incense : Hana-No-Sho Brand : Gyokushodo Source : Purchased from Japan Price : 2100 yen / 35 grams (USD $21?) Amount Burnt so far prior to this review : 1 box Taste profile : Sweet : +++++ Scent characteristics : Texture – Soft creamy Binder notes – almost none detectable … [Read More…]
Incense Review – Jinkoh Juzan from Nippon Kodo
I can no longer hide my love for Japanese Incenses! There’s just so much I would like to talk aboout Japanese incense sticks that I’ve been enjoying and I just feel this need to express myself! As such, I’ll be regularly writing reviews on different Japanese incenses as I go along my daily burn. These… [Read More…]