Incense agarwood (short size) 50g
$21
Feature
Awajibaikundo's incense
Made on Awaji Island, these incense sticks are characterized by their mature fragrance, gentle on the body and mind, created using pure natural ingredients and skilled craftsmanship. Natural drying and long-term aging, without the use of chemicals, result in a mellow, deep fragrance that can be burned safely every day.
What is Awaji incense?
Awaji Island incense is the number one incense in Japan, accounting for approximately 70% of the nation's production. Preserving a manufacturing method passed down since 1850, skilled artisans craft it using purely natural ingredients without the use of chemicals. Its greatest feature is that it is naturally dried for about a week in the island's unique "west wind," and then further aged for up to a year, resulting in a mellow, deep fragrance. It is a traditional craft that embodies the skill and passion of artisans, and is used as an offering to Buddha or to soothe the body and mind.
The crafting process of Awaji incense
(1) Mixing, Stirring, Kneading, and Kneading
The ingredients, blended for each brand, are mixed and kneaded with dye and water, while paying careful attention to temperature and humidity. The kneaded material is placed in a mold and formed into cylindrical shapes called kneading balls, approximately 30 cm in diameter.
(2) Extrusion and Cutting
The kneading balls are placed in an extrusion machine, extruded into lines through holes called "sukin," and then received on a tray and cut with a bamboo spatula.
(3) Shaping
The incense sticks on the tray are tightly packed onto a drying board and trimmed to the desired size.
(4) Drying
The sticks are then transferred to a drying area, where they are allowed to dry slowly and settle for a week in the natural conditions of Awaji Island's strong westerly winds.
(5) Bundling
The finished incense sticks are then bundled under strict manual inspection.
6
(6) Aging and Completion
Depending on the product, the product is allowed to mature for approximately one month to one year before being packaged and boxed.
What Makes This Artisan's incense So Special
- Made with pure, natural ingredients, without the use of chemicals.
- Artisans blend and knead the ingredients by hand, carefully assessing the quality of the ingredients.
- No chemical glues are used, and only minimal amounts of wood powder, with its natural stickiness, are used.
- The scent is slowly matured through natural drying, taking advantage of Awaji Island's unique westerly winds.
- The scent is then allowed to mature for a long period of time after drying, capturing the aroma within the incense.
Lineup
Browse our range of gold threads
Incense compassionate Sweet Tea Incense Spiral 5 Rolls (with incense holder)
$27
Incense sandalwood (Byakudan) Fragrance Wood 100g
$20
Incense blue Sea Spiral Incense, 5 rolls (with incense holder)
$25
Incense wabi Sabi 120g
$42
Incense nagomi
$13
Incense agarwood, Nishikishoume and Sandalwood Incense (in a lacquer box)
$51
Incense agarwood Sweet Tea Fragrance (Paulownia Box)
$59
Incense agarwood sweet tea scent 105g
$85
Incense agarwood and Dogwood
$51
Incense bamboo charcoal sweet tea incense (in a paulownia wood box)
$25
Incense bamboo Charcoal Refreshing Lemongrass Scent 120g
$17
Incense bamboo Charcoal Refreshing Hinoki Scent 120g
$17
Incense bamboo charcoal sweet tea scent 160g
$25
Incense shojo Bamboo Charcoal Sweet Tea Fragrance, 8 Bundles (Paulownia Box)
$46
Incense shojo Sweet Tea Fragrance (Paulownia Box)
$25
Incense gentle sweet tea fragrance (Paulownia box)
$46
Incense soft sweet tea scent 105g
$51
Incense compassionate Sweet Tea Fragrance (Paulownia Box)
$51
Incense merciful sweet tea scent 105g
$68
Incense flowers of the Four Seasons (Flower Set)
$28
The workshop
Awaji Island, Japan
Awaji Island is Japan's leading producer of incense, accounting for 70% of the nation's total. The artisans responsible for the entire process, from blending to finishing, are known as "Awaji Island's incense masters." Takayuki Yano, the fourth-generation owner of Awaji Baikondou, founded in 1905, is one such master. Yano values maximizing the benefits of natural ingredients, carefully assessing the compatibility of ingredients, moisture content, and even the proper aeration method, as he crafts incense every day. To convey the delicate fragrance that cannot be replicated by machine and the warmth that can only be achieved through handcrafting, he travels to department stores across the country to carefully introduce the charm of Awaji Island's incense.
Use cases
- In addition to being used as daily offerings at Buddhist altars, it is also burned as incense to soothe the mind and body. The gentle fragrance unique to natural materials makes it gentle even when burned daily, and is also suitable for creating a tranquil space.
FAQ
Is it okay to use it every day?
Because it is made with pure, natural ingredients, these incense sticks are gentle on the mind and body, even when burned daily.
Can I enjoy these incense sticks as incense?
Incense sticks are incense rolled into sticks, so they can be enjoyed as offerings to ancestors or for personal healing.