Incense type "kata"
How are you doing?
We often get questions from customers about how to choose incense.
So why not choose incense based on the way the fragrance rises and the burn time that comes from each type of incense?
Below is a summary of the content shared in the texts used in the "Incense Creation Workshop" which has been held since 2015.
When you hear the word "incense" in Japan, you probably think of the long, thin sticks you see at Buddhist altars. Recently, incense has also come into use as a home fragrance to fill the air with fragrance . Famous fashion brands and overseas niche perfume brands are all entering the incense world.
Incense comes in a variety of shapes, with three main types: sticks, coils, and cones, each with different burning times and characteristics.
Stick type
The long, thin stick-shaped incense mentioned above is called stick incense . The burn time is 30 minutes for the 13-15cm sticks often used in Buddhist altars, and 60 minutes for the longer 23-25cm sticks. I heard that they are used as a guide for the time monks spend reciting sutras. Temples also have large sticks that can be burned all day, which are lit during morning services and the smoke disappears during evening services.
Compared to other shapes, stick incense is more abundant and widely available. Recently, there are incense sticks that burn for about 10 minutes, making them convenient for home fragrance.
The scent fills the room with a consistent intensity . This type was apparently suitable for old Japanese houses.
Coil Type
Next is the coil type . Also called the spiral type, it is easy to imagine the mosquito coils that are a summer staple. The characteristic of this type is that it burns the fragrance slowly for a long time , for 40-60 minutes, and even longer, for about 90 minutes. It can deliver the fragrance to a wide space.
Cone type
Finally, there is the cone type . This cone-shaped incense has a solid base, making it the most stable of the three types of incense. Compared to coil and stick types, which are easily affected by wind and other air currents, the ash is less likely to scatter.
The general burning time is about 7-15 minutes. When you light the top of the cone, the pilot flame spreads, and as the burning area increases, the scent becomes stronger. It has the characteristic of spreading the scent even in a short time , so it is convenient for when you have unexpected guests.
Cone-shaped lamps seem to suit homes overseas, but recently, due to the influence of ZEN, stick-shaped lamps have also become popular.
Bridge and Blend incense comes in a cone shape. It is 1.5 times the strength of regular cone incense and burns for about 30 minutes. The scent lingers for quite a long time, depending on the space, and some customers have commented that the scent lingers even after a week.
Why not try these six scents and experience the world of The Tale of Genji ?
Have a Scentful Day!
