Founded in 1850 (Kaei 3), Kabushiki Kaisha Baikundo is based on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, and sells incense and fragrant sticks.

Incense is 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 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 all over the 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, still involved today.
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, Baikundo hopes to continue helping preserve the rich fragrances, natural sources, 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" (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 or August 13th to 16th, depending on the region.

(However, some areas observe the "Old Obon" around the 15th of the lunar July, based on the lunar calendar.)
Typically, the Obon holiday period is from August 13th to 16th, called "Gekurei Bon" (delayed Obon).
During Obon, traditional "Bon Odori" dances are performed, which are 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), occurring 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 and honor their ancestors.

Temples hold memorial services called "Higan-e" to pay respects to ancestors.
Originally, "Higan" refers to the enlightened world of Nirvana, free from confusion, called the Pure Land in Buddhism.

Our current world is called "Shigan" (this shore).
The belief that the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha is located in the west led to the custom of offering prayers on the day when the sun sets in the west, marking the beginning of Higan.
Stories about gift offerings.



People sometimes ask, "What is 'Shinmotsu' (gift)?"
"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 "Goutouhin" (gift) 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 "Goutouhin" does not specify the recipient, "Shinmotsu" is generally 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" is usually wrapped with a "Noshi" (a decorative paper with a printed or attached symbol), often with a "Mizuhiki" (decorative cord), called "Noshi-gami" (officially "Kakegami").

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 "Banita" without gaps.



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



Jinkō (Agarwood).
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" (agarwood).
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 sedative and stomachic medicine.

Byakudan (Sandalwood).

Evergreen trees of the Santalaceae family distributed in the Maluku Islands and 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 sandalwood has decreased, and it is becoming a rare and valuable material approaching that of agarwood.
Chōji (Clove).

Chōji is the dried flower bud of the tree of the Myrtaceae family called "Chōjino ki."



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



It might be more familiar to call it "cinnamon" rather than "Keihi."
The fresh scent of cinnamon is 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.
A fragrant incense based on sandalwood with a refreshing plum scent.
Elegant and gentle aroma.

A pure domestic product from Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture.
The burning time may vary slightly depending on how the incense is lit and the airflow.
Approximately 50g of incense per small box, 6 boxes included.
Main ingredients of the incense: Sandalwood powder, sandalwood extract, fragrance (plum scent), dye.
Contents: 6 boxes, Smoke: Yes, Length of incense: about 13.5cm, Burning time: about 30 minutes, Product dimensions and weight: 152x42x332mm, 575g.
2025/07/04 10:24:43#b293e5b7a31c9aa1aa56893ba757edac9b5c9dbe
・内容量：6箱 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：152x42x332mm 575g
2025/07/04 10:24:43#b293e5b7a31c9aa1aa56893ba757edac9b5c9dbe