Kobayashi Bunkudo 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 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 is selected as one of the Ministry of the Environment's "Fragrance Landscape 100 Selections".
The "Fragrance Landscape 100 Selections" is a list of 100 locations designated as excellent fragrance environments, supporting regional efforts to preserve and create pleasant natural and cultural sources of fragrance.



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 (formerly Ichinomiya Town E) in Awaji City, 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 soldiers replied, "No, because I smell incense all over the town, so I thought there might be a memorial service for someone important."
This is an anecdote.

In E, 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 since the Kaei era (about 170 years ago), incense making has been deeply rooted in the lives of one in four residents of E, Awaji City.
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, Bunkudo hopes to continue helping preserve the rich fragrances and the natural, cultural, and daily life sources that create them 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" (Ullambana).
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 monks who finish their training on July 15th.
With the merit gained, you may be able to save your mother."
Since then, the custom of honoring ancestors on July 15th, following Ma Lin's example, has been established.
Today, Obon generally refers to the period from July 13th to 16th, although in some regions, the "Old Obon" is observed around the lunar July 15th.

(However, in some areas, the "Old Obon" centered around the lunar July 15th is also held.)
Typically, the Obon holiday period is from August 13th to 16th, called "Tsukure Obon" (delayed Obon).
During Obon, it is customary to perform "Bon Odori" (Bon dance), which is said to originate from Ma Lin dancing joyfully after his mother was saved.
Various aspects of Higan



The day when day and night are of equal length is called the "Chuu-nichi" (midday), and 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 seven days around these are 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" (this shore).
The belief that the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha is in the west led to the start of Higan on the day when the sun sets due west.
Stories about offerings



Some people ask, "What is Shinmotsu?"
"Shinmotsu" refers to items or gifts given to others.
During the Obon or 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 is a slight difference.
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, such as an offering.
A person of higher status includes superiors or elders, such as bosses or seniors, but also encompasses ancestors, the deceased, and their bereaved families.
"Shinmotsu" usually involves a decorative paper called "Noshi" (officially "Kakegami"), often with a printed Mizuhiki (decorative cord).

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 dough-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) Ita-tsuki (plate pressing)
The strips 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.



Sandalwood (Jinkō)
A resin deposited and solidified 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 "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 calming and stomachic medicine.

Sandalwood (Byakudan)

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



The wood itself emits a sweet fragrance, also called "Senda" (sandal).
An essential ingredient in Eastern-style fragrance blending, also used as a valuable material for Buddhist statues and other arts and crafts.
Due to natural disasters and increased demand, the quantity of sandalwood is decreasing, and it is becoming a valuable material approaching that of agarwood (Jinkō).
Clove (Chōji)

Clove (Chōji) is the dried flower bud of the tree Cinnamomum verum, a member of the Lauraceae family.



It is called "Chōji" because its shape resembles a nail.
Its native origin is said to be the Maluku Islands in Indonesia.
Currently, Indonesia and East Africa are major production areas.
For cooks, "Chōji" may be more familiar as "Clove."
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.
Cinnamon (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 may be more familiar to think of as "Cinnamon" rather than "Keihi."
The aroma of cinnamon 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.
When lighting incense, the characters "Namu Amida Butsu" appear as it burns.
A subtle fragrance.

Main ingredients of incense: charcoal powder and wood powder.
Content: 14 sticks, Smoke: Yes.

Incense length: about 13.5cm, Burning time: about 45 minutes, Product dimensions and weight: 85x23x260mm, 113g.
2023/03/06 17:55:11#d827e3547252e382d8ac7f217eecc06274b99cca
・線香の長さ:約13.5cm 燃焼時間:約45分 商品寸法・重量：85x23x260mm113g
2023/03/06 17:55:11#d827e3547252e382d8ac7f217eecc06274b99cca