Just like sadō (tea ceremony) and ikebana (the art of floral arrangement), kōdō, or the "art of appreciating fragrances", is one of the great traditional and ancestral Japanese precepts.
To do this, it's incense that's used. Beyond its olfactory qualities, it has always had a spiritual dimension in its own right, notably in the Land of the Rising Sun.
An ancestral treasure
If we speak of an ancestral treasure, it's both for the practice and for certain incenses. You'll understand.
First of all, the practice. It was in the 6th century that incense was introduced to Japan. It was apparently the Chinese Buddhist monks who brought it back for the practice of their faith. Popularised over the centuries, burning incense no longer has only a religious symbolism today, even if it's an act widely perpetuated during the various devotional rites (for funeral ceremonies in particular). Incense is also found as a step in several celebrations and festivals, as we told you about for O-Bon.
Kōdō is also, at its essence, a game. In the 11th century, people amused themselves by recognising incenses among a series of fragrances, finding the odd one out, etc. This entertainment was very common among the Heian nobles and quickly became a society event and a pretext for gambling.
The incense itself can moreover be considered a treasure, notably if we mention "ginko". It's a precious wood, from which incense is extracted following incisions in the tree. Because of its quality, the incense it produces can be kept for nearly a millennium, and the imperial court would possess it like spoils. Logically, this wood is the object of covetousness given its refined character, and is thus resold for its weight in gold.
The virtues of kōdō
Tradition attributes 10 virtues and beliefs to incense:
- It sharpens the senses 感格鬼神
- It purifies the body and mind 清浄心身
- It helps "cleanse" the mind 能払汚穢
- It awakens the spirit 能覚睡眠
- It relieves the feeling of loneliness 静中成友
- It helps calm periods of stress and agitation 塵裏愉閑
- Its abundance isn't unpleasant 多而不厭
- It's useful even in small quantities 募而知足
- It resists the effects of time 久蔵不朽
- Using it daily does no harm 常用無障
How to get started?
What if, during this very particular period, we treated ourselves to a moment of calm?
The art of kōdō can be practised in a group, during relaxation and/or meditation sessions. But it's also a practice you can engage in alone, to find yourself, as the samurai could do before a battle.
To do this, nothing could be simpler. You'll just need a mat and a few incense sticks or cones. Of course, choose fragrances you like and that resemble you, the ones that seem the most pleasant and gentle to smell.
Choose a quiet room, without any distraction (so leave connected devices outside it). It might be interesting to close the shutters and dim the light to enjoy a subdued atmosphere, less aggressive for the eyes. Place your mat on the floor and kneel down, sitting on your heels. This position can prove uncomfortable for some, so you can sit cross-legged. Then light your incense and appreciate the scents that emanate from it.
The goal is to feel the delicate emanations, not to become sickened by the fragrance. We'll favour moderation to help the smoke transport us.
Ready to try?
