Baikundo Co., Ltd. was founded in 1850 (Kaei 3) and is based on Awaji Island, 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.


100 Selected Fragrance Landscapes
The townscape of E, which has been selected as one of the "100 Fragrance Landscapes" by the Ministry of the Environment, is full of charm.
The "100 Fragrance Landscapes" are designated as particularly excellent fragrance environments, supporting regional efforts to preserve and create pleasant scents derived from natural and cultural sources.


Incense making has been ongoing in Awaji Island for over 170 years.
"Incense making in Awaji City" and "100 Selected Fragrance Landscapes"
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, "Because I smell incense all over the town, and I wondered if there was a memorial service for some important 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 continuing today.
The tradition of "Incense making in Awaji City" was recognized as one of the "100 Selected Fragrance Landscapes" by the Ministry of the Environment in 2001.


As one of the oldest manufacturers of incense in E, Awaji City, Baikundo hopes to continue helping preserve the rich fragrances, natural environments, cultures, and lifestyles for future generations.


Various aspects of the Obon festival
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 Gaki (hungry ghost) realm, and he asked Buddha how to save her. Buddha replied,
"Offer food to monks who complete their training on July 15th.
With that merit, you can save your mother."
Since then, out of respect for ancestors, it has been customary to perform 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 observed around July 15th based on the lunar calendar.)
Typically, the Obon holiday is from August 13th to 16th, called "Tsukure Obon" (delayed Obon).
During Obon, traditional "Bon Odori" dances are performed, which are said to originate from Maudgalyayana dancing joyfully after saving his mother.
Various aspects of the Higan festival


The day when daytime and nighttime are of equal length is called the "Chūnichi" (midday), and it occurs twice a year in spring and autumn.
The midpoints are "Vernal Equinox Day" and "Autumnal Equinox Day," and the seven days around each are called "Higan."
During Higan, families visit graves to remember and honor their ancestors.


Temples also hold memorial services called "Higan-e" 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, which coincides with the sun setting in the west on the day of the equinox.
Stories about offerings


Some 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" in department stores 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 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 wrapping with a "Noshi" (a decorative paper with a ribbon), which is called "Noshi-gami" (*officially called "Kakegami").


The type of Noshi-gami varies depending on the occasion, such as celebrations, condolences, or reciprocals.
Incense manufacturing (handcrafted artisans)
(1) Fragrance blending and powder kneading


(2) Bonyaki (cutting into pieces)
(3) Itomuki (plate attachment)
(4) Drying
(1) Fragrance blending and powder kneading
Various raw materials are placed into a powder kneading machine, mixed with water or hot water to form a dough-like consistency, then compressed using a 玉締め機 (a compression machine) to create "Neridama" (kneaded balls).
(2) Bonyaki (cutting into pieces)
The "Neridama" is pressed with a 玉押し機 (ball pressing machine) and extruded into long, thin strands like somen noodles.


(3) Itomuki (plate attachment)
The strands are laid out closely on a plate called "Bonyaki ita" without gaps.


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


Agarwood (Jinkō)
A resinous substance that has accumulated in trees of 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 "Jinkō-moku" (agarwood).
Resin that has formed over many years within the wood, buried in soil or water, solidifies and emits a characteristic fragrance, becoming a precious fragrant wood.
White Sandalwood (Byakudan)


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


The wood itself emits a sweet fragrance, also called "Sandal".
An essential ingredient in Eastern-style fragrance blending, also used as a material for Buddhist statues and other 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 that of agarwood.
(Chōji) Clove (Chōji)


Clove is the dried flower bud of the tree of the Myrtaceae family called "Chōji no ki."


Its shape resembles a nail, which is how it got its name.
It is believed to originate from the Maluku Islands in Indonesia.
Today, Indonesia and East Africa are the main production areas.
For those who cook, "Chōji" might be more familiar as "Clove."
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 cassia, originating from southern China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.


It may be more familiar to think of it as "Cinnamon" rather than "Keihi."
The fresh, refreshing scent of Chinese herbal medicine like "Kakkonto" is characteristic of cinnamon.


It pairs well with cakes, bread, cookies, and tea, and is widely used in cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast, and cinnamon sticks.
A traditional incense made by balancing natural sandalwood, agarwood, musk oil, considering traditional techniques.
The flower character "Rin" designed by Yoshiho Hanawaki.

Made from 100% domestic products from Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture.
The burning method of incense sticks and airflow can cause slight variations in burning time.
Main raw materials of incense: Agarwood powder, sandalwood powder, musk oil (synthetic), wood powder, dye.
Content weight: about 50g, smoke: smoky.

Incense stick length: about 15cm, burning time: about 35 minutes, product dimensions and weight: 76x30x175mm, 110g.
2023/03/06 17:50:34#c97dc6f72a7978f40d15e62d7f76c60619ba231c
・線香の長さ:約15cm 燃焼時間:約35分 商品寸法・重量：76x30x175mm110g
2023/03/06 17:50:34#c97dc6f72a7978f40d15e62d7f76c60619ba231c