Kaunkudo Co., Ltd. was founded in 1850 (Kaei 3), and based on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, sells 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, selected for 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 scents and their natural and cultural sources.



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, and I wondered if there was a memorial service for some distinguished person."
This is an anecdote.

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

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, and remains so today.
The tradition of 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 fragrances, natural sources, culture, and lifestyle for future generations.



A gaze that looks toward 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 Maudgalyayana, one of Buddha's disciples, who sought to save his deceased mother.

Once, Maudgalyayana learned that his mother was being tormented and hung upside down in the hell called Gaki-do, and he asked Buddha how to save her. Buddha replied,
"Offer food to monks who finish their training on July 15th.
With that merit, you may be able to save your mother."
Since then, the custom of offering memorial services on July 15th, following Maudgalyayana's example, has been established to honor ancestors.
Today, Obon generally refers to the period from July 13th to 16th in many regions.

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



The day when day and night are of equal length is called 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" (this shore).
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 of the sun setting directly in the west, around the equinox.
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 making a purchase.
So, what is the difference between "Gōtōhin" (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 while "Gōtōhin" does not specify the recipient, "Shinmotsu" is generally a gift for someone of higher status, such as an offering.
A person of higher status includes superiors or seniors, and also encompasses ancestors, the deceased, and their bereaved families.
"Shinmotsu" typically involves a decorative paper called "Noshi" (officially "Kakegami"), which has a printed or attached "Noshi" (a ceremonial wrapping).

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 pressed with 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 room, they are naturally dried.



Sandalwood (Jinkō)
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 "Jinkōboku" (sandalwood).
Resin that has accumulated and solidified over many years within the wood, buried in soil or water, producing a characteristic fragrance.
Used as a calming and stomachic medicine.

White 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 "Sendan."
An essential ingredient in Eastern-style fragrance blending, also used as a material for Buddhist statues and other arts and crafts, making it a precious 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 status of agarwood (Jinkō).
Clove (Chōji)

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



It is called "Chōji" because of its nail-like shape.
Its origin is said to be the 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.
Cinnamon (Keihi)
Cinnamon (Keihi) is made from the dried bark of trees of the genus Cinnamomum, such as Cinnamomum cassia, and is 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 cinnamon, similar to that of the Chinese herbal medicine Kakkonto, is characteristic.

It pairs well with cakes, bread, cookies, and black tea, and is widely used in cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast, and cinnamon sticks.
・Easy-to-light incense sticks with a convenient burning core for grave visits.
Using the burning core makes it easier to light incense even on windy days.

Traditional incense since 1850 (Kaei 3).
Scent of cedar.
Made entirely in Japan from Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture.
The burning time may vary slightly depending on how the incense is burned and air flow.
・Main raw materials of incense: cedar powder, talc powder, dyes
・Contents: 1 bundle of incense with 1 ignition core, smoke: smoky type

・Incense length: approximately 13.4cm, burning time: approximately 30 minutes, product dimensions and weight: 235x113x140mm, 1490g
2025/06/05 10:54:56#906ab2459825832f28b715ce30159aaa12f5081e
・線香の長さ:約13.4cm 燃焼時間:約30分 商品寸法・重量：235x113x140mm 1490g
2025/06/05 10:54:56#906ab2459825832f28b715ce30159aaa12f5081e