About Us
Frequently Asked Questions10 Virtues of Koh
Incense Ceremony
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In the early 18th century, Rokubei Moritsune Hata began incorporating incense-making techniques he learned as an employee of Kyoto's Imperial Palace. He would eventually introduce a new world of scent to an audience beyond the realm of royalty.
Twelve generations later, the Hata family continue to create an amazing array of fragrances. Shoyeido incense is considered the highest quality, most natural incense available on Earth.
Shoyeido's blending process is an art form. Highly trained "masters" draw upon centuries-old secrets to create masterworks of fragrance. These artisans carefully process the quality, balance, and ratio of every hand-selected natural ingredient. The slightest variation in amount or quality of any component can dramatically influence the outcome. Only the finest raw materials are used. The results are remarkable, subtle scents that beckon us to use all of our senses — what the Japanese call mon-koh, or "listening to incense."
Shoyeido products are not just the preferred incense for most temples in Japan. Our unique blends are the modern natural solution for creating a relaxed atmosphere in the home. Whether as an accompaniment to work, to enliven social settings, to deepen yoga and meditation practices, or simply as bubble bath or spa accompaniment, Shoyeido’s pure incense is a timeless way to enhance atmosphere.
With respect for the environment and a concern for green practices, Shoyeido continues to set the standard in the market of fragrance. We have procured permits from the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry in Japan, and the US Fish & Wildlife Department to validate that our products are properly accounted for and responsibly harvested. None of our recipes contain animal ingredients and no testing has ever been done on animals.
Our products are proven sellers in many markets, including health food stores, gift shops, bookstores, boutiques, vitamin stores, apothecaries, spas, and salons. Shoyeido is the ideal product for stores looking for the best quality lifestyle items. As consumers continue to reach for natural products to deepen their experience and appreciation for life, Shoyeido incense stands apart as the perfect, pure solution.
FAQs
Do you have sandalwood incense?
Many of Shoyeido's recipes have a foundation of sandalwood along with a blend of other natural ingredients. We offer pure sandalwood wood chips, as well as a few incense sticks that are chiefly sandalwood: Nanto (item 71660) and Xiang Do Sandalwood (item 71176).Where is your incense made?
As it has been for over 300 years, Shoyeido incense is manufactured at our facility in Kyoto, Japan.Does Shoyeido incense have a bamboo core?
No. Unlike many incense, our blending techniques do not require a bamboo core. With Shoyeido, the fragrance you enjoy is that of pure incense rather than the smoke of a superfluous wooden base. Shoyeido blends only the finest natural ingredients and binds them with Tabu-koh (machilus thunbergii) and water. This mixture is then extruded, much like spaghetti, and allowed to dry as a solid stick of pure incense.You offer such a large selection of products. How do I know which ones I will like?
Shoyeido offers a wonderful and diverse variety of scents. To help you with your selection, we offer a number of incense samplers and assortment packages, which are an inexpensive and fun way to try different fragrances. You can also contact our friendly and knowledgeable staff at 800-786-5476. We are happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences.In the past, some kinds of incense have given me a headache. Will Shoyeido products have this effect on me?
Unlikely! Many of our customers have told us that they previously did not enjoy incense, or that it was too strong and may have caused them discomfort. The main reason for this is that many types of incense contain accelerants to help them burn more evenly. These kinds of incense often create a large amount of smoke and the fragrance is compromised. For those who are particularly sensitive to smoke, we recommend our Aesthetics Series incense.How is Shoyeido incense made?
Shoyeido incense is blended in Kyoto, Japan by our highly trained artisans employing centuries-old recipes and techniques. Specific ingredients are finely ground and mixed with pure water and a natural binding material called "tabuko" (machilus thunbergii). Because we use only natural components, the quality and ratio of each raw ingredient is critical to the final outcome. Moisture, drying time, and production methods are all major aspects of our blending process. Lacking the bamboo core seen in so-called "dipped" incense products, our mixtures are extruded, carefully shaped and then slowly dried. Shoyeido's manufacturing process is renowned for its quality and high standards.I have heard that agarwood is particularly rare. How does Shoyeido guarantee that their agarwood items are environmentally accounted for and properly harvested?
Customers living outside the U.S.A, please note: as of October 24, 2012, we are no longer shipping incense items containing agarwood outside the United States.
There a several kinds of agarwood (sometimes referred to as aloeswood). Two varieties, agallocha malacennsis and agallocha aquileria, are considered the highest grade and are being closely monitored by an agency called the Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species ("CITES"). While they are not considered endangered, they are being watched closely.
Shoyeido is among few companies that are fully compliant with international regulations governing the export of agarwood. In Japan, we have permits with the Ministry of Economy, Trade, & Industry (METI), and we also have certification from the US Department of Agriculture and Fish & Wildlife Division to insure that the agarwood we export to the United States is properly harvested and accounted for. As of 10/24/2012, we are no longer shipping products containing agarwood outside the U.S.
What makes some of your incense so expensive?
In a word, ingredients. At Shoyeido, we use only the finest herbs, spices, resins and aromatic woods from around the world. Many of our ingredients are kanpo-medicinal grade. Coupled with blending techniques that have been developed over three centuries, the result is a large collection of truly amazing fragrances.Does your incense have an expiration date? Does it lose its fragrance over time?
Because Shoyeido products are comprised of natural ingredients, our fragrances actual improve and become mellower over time, much like a fine wine.What is the difference between agarwood and kyara?
Agarwood is a resinous wood that can be found in aquilaria trees, an evergreen native to Southeast Asia. Kyara is the most resinous and highly prized type of agarwood.10 Virtues of Koh
These "virtues of incense" were compiled in the 16th century. They continue to capture the spirit of Koh (incense) appreciation.

Incense Ceremony

Like tea ceremony and flower arrangement, Koh-do, or "incense ceremony," is an important tradition in Japan. Koh-do is always presented by licensed practitioners who have graduated from koh schools — either the Shino or Oie schools — that have have been preserving and conveying this tradition for over five centuries. Incense ceremony is traditionally carried out in the Koh room (as pictured), with a Master of Ceremonies and a small group of participants. Most incense ceremonies involve a game in which the participants attempt to guess the scent is being burned. There are hundreds of variations of these incense games.
While the formal Koh-do ceremony is steeped in protocol and tradition, the main idea is to have fun with fragrance and learn to "listen" to incense. Of course, one does not have to have an experienced, "trained nose" to enjoy and appreciate incense. Informal gatherings of people can meet to share different kinds of incense and create their own games.
A good source of additional information about the vivid history and culture of Japanese incense, including Koh-do incense ceremony, is The Book of Incense by Kiyoko Morita.
Press
Shoyeido incense has been recommended in the following publications

American Spa magazine
Gentleman's Quarterly magazine






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