As the name suggests, this incense is molded into a stick shape. It is primarily used for Buddhist rituals (at altars or graves), but is also utilized in practices like the Japanese tea ceremony during training sessions. It began to be manufactured in Japan around the early Edo period.

Burned at temples and in homes.

Stick Senko

The thicker it is, the stronger the fragrance, and the longer it is, the longer the scent lasts.

Cone-shaped incense

Mosquito-repellent incense (katori senko) is a spiral-shaped incense traditionally burned to repel mosquitoes, commonly used in Japan during the summer.

Katori Senko

One of the oldest forms of incense used in Buddhist offerings. While traditional shoko is made by blending various natural aromatic materials, many modern versions are predominantly composed of synthetic ingredients.

Shoko is typically placed in a vessel called a “koro” or “shoko-ki” (incense burner). The burner contains ash, and the powdered incense is pinched and offered on top of the ash for burning​​.

Koro

Shoko is used by gently pinching powdered incense and placing it on the ash in an incense burner as an offering or for prayers.

Shoko

This powdered incense is mainly used in esoteric Buddhist sects as a kindling for burning incense. Drawing a line of makkō allows the incense to burn for an extended period.

The term koboku refers to two types of fragrant wood, jinko (aloeswood) and byakudan (sandalwood). These are used in a wide range of applications, from Buddhist rituals to personal enjoyment, and are considered the finest quality among incenses.

Ranjyatai

This is incense made into a round pill shape and has a long history of use for enjoyment, dating back to the Nara period. Nowadays, it is mainly known among tea ceremony practitioners and incense enthusiasts.

Neriko is traditionally enjoyed by gently warming it over charcoal in an incense burner, allowing the fragrance to diffuse gradually without direct contact with the heat.

Traditional Way to Enjoy Neriko

With an electric incense burner, Neriko is enjoyed by setting it on a temperature-controlled surface, which warms the incense evenly and releases its fragrance without the need for charcoal.

How to Enjoy Neriko with an Electric Incense Burner

Although used in the same way as neriko, inko is shaped into decorative forms such as flowers or fans instead of a pill shape.

Refer to the previous section. In the case of incense ceremonies, this is used in a method called “monko” (listening to incense).

These are sachets filled with incense, used to impart fragrance to clothing or placed in drawers and storage boxes. Along with neriko, they are widely known types of incense.

This incense is designed to prevent insects from damaging items like clothing, books, or hanging scrolls. It is made with aromatic materials that have a high insect-repellent effect.

A fine powdered incense used for purification by rubbing it onto the palms. In Shinto, purification is performed with “water” and “salt,” whereas in Buddhism, incense is used for cleansing.