Kōdō, “the Way of Incense”, is one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement, the others being kadō, that is flower arrangement, and sadō, that is tea ceremony. Kōdō is a unique world, deeply rooted in classic literature, namely waka poetry and The Tale of Genji.
Unlike aromas and perfumes, the fragrant wood used in kōdō is not to be smelt, but rather “listened” to, opening up not so much one’s nasal passages as one’s heart and spirit. Listening to the fragrance means going down to the essence of things.
The Way of Incense appeared in Japan with Buddhism, during the Asuka period (538-710). In the subsequent Nara period (710-794), incense was used for purification before the Buddha and to dispel the evil spirits.
The custom to combine incenses and burn them on a charcoal fire came into being amongst the aristocrats in the Heian period (794-1185), who delighted in the scent which would fill the rooms and permeate the garments.