Kaunkudo 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 that supports regional efforts to preserve and create pleasant scents and their sources—nature and culture—by designating 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, 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, "No, I smell incense from the whole town, so I thought there might be a memorial service for some distinguished person."
This is an anecdote.

In E, Awaji City, many incense factories line up, and the scent of incense drifts as part of daily life, surprising visitors who feel the entire town is filled with the aroma of incense.

Approximately 70% of all incense produced in Japan is made here, and incense making has continued since the Kaei era (about 170 years ago). Currently, 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, Kaunkudo hopes to continue helping preserve the rich aroma, nature, culture, and lifestyle for future generations.



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


Various aspects of Obon.
Obon is originally an abbreviation; the full 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 Maudgalyayana, one of Buddha's disciples, who sought to save his deceased mother.

Once, Maudgalyayana 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 monks who finish their training on July 15th.
With the merit gained, you may be able to save your mother."
Since then, out of respect for ancestors, it is said that people have been offering memorial services on July 15th following Maudgalyayana'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 perform "Bon Odori" during Obon, which is said to originate from Maudgalyayana dancing joyfully after saving his mother.
Various aspects of Higan.



The day when daytime and nighttime are of equal length is called the "Chūnichi," and it occurs twice a year in spring and autumn.
The midpoints are "Vernal Equinox Day" and "Autumnal 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 Amitabha Buddha's Pure Land is located in the west led to the start of Higan, with the day of the sun setting directly in the west, around July 15th.
Stories about gift-giving.



Sometimes people ask, "What is Shinmotsu?"
"Shinmotsu" refers to items or gifts given to others.
During the Obon and year-end gift seasons, 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 "Gōtōhin" (gift items) and "Shinmotsu"?
In simple terms, they are similar, but considering their meanings, there are slight differences.
The character "Shin" in "Shinmotsu" means "to give" or "to present," and while "Gōtōhin" does not specify the recipient, "Shinmotsu" is typically a gift for someone of higher status, a tribute item.
A person of higher status refers to someone like a boss or senior, but this also includes ancestors, the deceased, or their bereaved family.
"Shinmotsu" usually involves a decorative paper called "Noshi" (officially "Kakegami"), often printed with Mizuhiki or Noshi symbols, attached to the gift.

The type of Noshi varies depending on the occasion, such as celebrations, condolences, or return gifts.
Incense manufacturing (handcrafted artisans).
(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 (a machine for shaping into balls) to create "Neridama" (kneaded balls).


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



(3) Itamuki (placing on a board).
The strands are laid out closely on a flat board called "Banita" without gaps.



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



Jinkō (Sandalwood).
A resin that has accumulated and solidified in the trunks of trees belonging to the Thymelaeaceae family, growing in India and Southeast Asia, considered the highest quality among fragrant woods.



Because it is dense and sinks in water, it is also called Jinkōboku (sandalwood).
Resin 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 sedative and stomachic medicine.

Byakudan (Sandalwood).

An evergreen tree of the Myrtaceae family distributed from the Maluku Islands to India.



The wood itself emits a sweet fragrance, also called Senda (sandalwood).
An essential ingredient in Eastern-style fragrance blending, 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 sandalwood has decreased, and it is becoming a precious material approaching that of Jinkō.
Chōji (Clove).

Chōji is the dried flower bud of the tree Chōjino ki, a member of the Myrtaceae family.



It is called Chōji because its shape resembles a nail.
Its original habitat is said to be the Moluccas (Maluku Islands) in Indonesia.
Today, Indonesia and East Africa are the main production areas.
For those who cook, it might be more familiar to call it Clove rather than Chōji.
It is often used as a spice in meat dishes, curry, soups, and sauces.

It features a strong sweet aroma and a spicy, tingling taste on the tongue.
Keihi (Cinnamon).
Keihi is made from the dried bark of trees such as Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cinnamon) and other related species, believed to originate from southern China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.



It might be more familiar to call it Cinnamon rather than Keihi.
The aroma of Keihi is similar to that of the Chinese herbal medicine Kakkonto.

It pairs well with cakes, bread, cookies, and black tea, and is widely used in cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast, and cinnamon sticks.
Recommended for those living with pets.
A mini-sized incense stick with low smoke and deodorizing properties.

Made with natural fragrance (rose scent).
Pure domestic product from Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture.
Burning time may vary slightly depending on how the incense is burned and air flow.
Contains activated charcoal, Tsubaki powder, Kishu Binchotan charcoal, wood vinegar solution, plant extracts deodorizer, minerals, fragrance (natural rose essential oil), and dye.
Content weight: approximately 60g, Smoke amount: light, Incense length: about 13.5cm, Burning time: about 25 minutes.

Single item dimensions and weight: 82x29x120mm, 96g.
2023/03/06 15:20:03#8593e14141767eb1353dc0caad57a58531ee9b1c
・単品寸法・重量：82x29x120mm 96g
2023/03/06 15:20:03#8593e14141767eb1353dc0caad57a58531ee9b1c