historical recount

The history of fragrance dates back to the discovery of fire. Our ancestors kept a fire lit all day and throughout the night. Occasionally an aroma would be created when a piece of scented wood was thrown into the flame. Because of the scent and the pleasing sight of the smoke and the flame, it is no wonder that people felt the mystery and power of these aromas and sent up their wishes and prayers with them. Even now, scented wood is burned in places of prayer around the world. Moreover, fragrance is a presence where people seek to be stimulated as well as where a sense of calm is appreciated. Today, fragrance is an element of modern spiritual culture for a well-rounded life. In ancient India, aromas were used in a system of medicine called Ayurveda. Four thousand years later, those aromas were interpreted as fragrance oils as they migrated to the West and transformed into incense on the way to the East. West met East in Japan. They fused, resulting in new creations that continue to evolve. The world has found a common language in fragrance. This language is the base of the fragrance culture of Japan: where “Prayer” and “Healing” co-exist. It is here that we can listen to melodies of fragrance, which are played by a trio of traditional culture, refined sensibility, and state-of-the-art modern technology.

-Nippon Kodo