Kobayashi Umekundo Co., Ltd. was founded in 1850 (Kaei 3) and is based on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, selling incense and incense sticks.

Incense sticks are closely related to Japanese culture, climate, and national character.
We value customer feedback and culture, and we aim to be helpful by proposing products to the market.
Furthermore, we challenge technological innovation to contribute to the development of fragrance culture, utilizing traditional techniques while developing products that focus on natural ingredients, health, and convenience.

The townscape of E, selected for the Ministry of the Environment's "Fragrance Landscape 100 Selections."
The "Fragrance Landscape 100 Selections" is a project to support regional efforts to preserve and create pleasant scents and their sources—nature and culture—by selecting 100 locations with particularly excellent fragrance environments.



Incense making has been ongoing in Awaji Island for over 170 years.


"Incense making in Awaji City" and "Fragrance Landscape 100 Selections"
After World War II ended, when American occupation soldiers visited E in Awaji City (formerly Ichinomiya Town E), they reportedly asked passersby,
"Is there something happening in town today?"—.
In response, passersby asked, "Why do you ask if something is happening?"
Then, the soldier replied, "Because I smell incense from all over the town, I thought there might be a memorial service for someone important."
This is an anecdote.

In E, Awaji City, many incense factories line up, and the scent of incense drifts as a part of daily life, surprising visitors who can smell the fragrance of incense throughout the entire town.

Approximately 70% of all incense produced in Japan is made here, and incense making has continued since the Kaei era (about 170 years ago). Even now, one in four residents of E, Awaji City, is involved with incense, deeply rooted in their lives.
This "Incense Making in Awaji City" was recognized in 2001 by the Ministry of the Environment as part of the "Fragrance Landscape 100 Selections."

As one of the oldest manufacturers that started incense making in E, Awaji City, Umekundo hopes to continue helping preserve the rich fragrance, nature, culture, and lifestyle sources for future generations.



A gaze that looks at the tradition and future of fragrance.


Various aspects of Obon.
Obon is originally an abbreviation; the formal name is "Urabon-e."
It is said to originate from the Sanskrit "Uranban," meaning "to hang upside down."
This story is derived from the tale of Ma Lin, one of Buddha's disciples, who sought to save his deceased mother.

Once, Ma Lin learned that his mother was being punished and hung upside down in the Gaki (hungry ghost) realm, and he asked Buddha how to save her. Buddha replied,
"Offer food to the monks who finish their training on July 15th.
With the merit of this act, you may be able to save your mother."
Since then, the custom of honoring ancestors on July 15th has been established in Ma Lin's example.
Today, Obon generally refers to the period from July 13th to 16th in many regions.

(However, in some areas, the "Old Obon" is held around July 15th based on the lunar calendar.)
Generally, the Obon holiday period is from August 13th to 16th, called "Tsukure Obon."
Additionally, it is customary to hold "Bon Odori" during Obon, which is said to originate from Ma Lin dancing joyfully after his mother was saved.
Various aspects of Higan.



The day when daytime and nighttime are of equal length is called the "Chuu-nichi" (midday), and it occurs twice a year in spring and autumn.
The midpoints are "Shunbun no Hi" (Spring Equinox Day) and "Shuubun no Hi" (Autumn Equinox Day), and the three days before and after each make up a total of seven days called "Higan."
During Higan, families visit graves to remember the deceased and ancestors.

At temples, memorial services called "Higan-e" are held to honor ancestors.
Originally, "Higan" refers to the world of enlightenment, free from confusion, called the Pure Land in Buddhism.

In contrast, our current world is called "Shigan."
The belief that the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha is located in the west is the origin of the start of Higan, with the day when the sun sets directly in the west, the "Chuu-nichi."
Stories about gift-giving.



Sometimes people ask, "What is Shinmotsu?"
"Shinmotsu" refers to items or gifts given to others.
During the periods of Ochugen and Oseibo, you may see the word "Shinmotsu" on department store displays or hear clerks ask, "Is this for a gift?" when purchasing.
So, what is the difference between "Goutouhin" (gift items) and "Shinmotsu"?
In simple terms, they are the same, but considering the nuance of the words, there is a slight difference.
The character "Shin" in "Shinmotsu" means "to give or present," and "Goutouhin" does not specify the recipient, whereas "Shinmotsu" is used for gifts to superiors or offerings.
Superiors include bosses or seniors, and this also includes ancestors, the deceased, and their bereaved families.
"Shinmotsu" typically involves a decorative paper called "Noshi" with printed mizuhiki or noshi (formal paper strips).

The type of Noshi varies depending on the occasion, such as celebrations, condolences, or return gifts.
Incense manufacturing (handmade craftsmen)
(1) Fragrance blending and powder kneading



Various raw materials are placed into a kneading machine, mixed with water or hot water to form a clay-like consistency, then compressed using a 玉締め機 (ball pressing machine) to create "Neridama" (kneaded balls).


(2) Bonyuki (cutting into strips)
The "Neridama" is pressed through a 玉押し機 (ball pressing machine) to extrude long, thin strips resembling somen noodles.



(3) Itamuki (placing on boards)
The strips are arranged closely on a flat board called "Itamuki-ban."



(4) Drying
After being placed in a drying room, they are naturally dried.



Agarwood (Jinkou)
Resin from trees of the Thymelaeaceae family that grow in India and Southeast Asia, considered the highest quality among fragrant woods.



Because it is dense and sinks in water, it is also called "Jinkou" (sinking wood).
Resin that has formed over many years within the wood, buried in soil or water, solidifies and emits a distinctive fragrance, becoming a precious fragrant wood.
Used as a calming and stomachic medicine.

White sandalwood (Byakudan)

Evergreen tree of the Santalaceae family distributed from the Maluku Islands to India.



The wood itself emits a sweet fragrance, also called "Sendan."
An essential ingredient in Eastern-style fragrances, also used as a material for Buddhist statues and other arts and crafts, making it a valuable fragrant wood.
Due to natural disasters and increased demand, the quantity of white sandalwood has decreased, and it is becoming a valuable material approaching the rarity of agarwood.
Clove (Chouji)

Clove is the dried flower bud of the tree of the Myrtaceae family called "Choujino ki."



It is named because of its nail-like shape.
Its origin is said to be the Maluku Islands in Indonesia.
Currently, Indonesia and East Africa are the main production areas.
For those who cook, it might be more familiar to call it "clove" rather than "Chouji."
It is often used as a spice in meat dishes, curry, soups, and sauces.

It has a strong sweet aroma and a spicy, tingling taste on the tongue.
Cinnamon (Keihi)
Cinnamon is made from the dried bark of trees in the Cinnamomum genus, such as Cinnamomum verum, originating from southern China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.



It might be more familiar to call it "cinnamon" rather than "Keihi."
The fresh, refreshing scent of cinnamon is characteristic of its aroma, similar to that of the Chinese herb "Kakkonto."

It pairs well with cakes, bread, cookies, and black tea, and is widely used in cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast, and cinnamon sticks.
Traditional incense using techniques since 1850 (Kaei 3).
Familiar fragrance.

Made in Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, entirely domestically.
The burning method and airflow can cause slight variations in burning time.
Approximately 28g per bundle, with a bundle diameter of about 21.5mm (diameter and weight may vary slightly depending on the manufacturing period).
Main raw materials of incense: wood powder, cedar powder, Chinese medicinal herbs, dyes.
Contents: 3 bundles, with smoke emission; length of incense: about 13.5cm; burning time: about 30 minutes; product dimensions and weight: 74x24x148mm, 112g.
2023/03/06 17:54:25#f14776ac365b0dc6639debd1883d1937ec1c698a
・内容量：3束 煙の量：有煙
・線香の長さ:約13.5cm 燃焼時間:約30分 商品寸法・重量：74x24x148mm112g
2023/03/06 17:54:25#f14776ac365b0dc6639debd1883d1937ec1c698a