Kaunkudo 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.

The townscape of E, selected for the Ministry of the Environment's "Fragrance Landscape 100 Selections."
The "Fragrance Landscape 100 Selections" is a project to support regional efforts to preserve and create pleasant scents and their sources—nature and culture—by selecting 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 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, "No, I smell incense from all over the town, so I thought there might be a memorial service for some important 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 can smell the fragrance of 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 continues to be an integral part of 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 fragrance, nature, culture, and lifestyle sources for future generations.



A gaze that looks at the tradition and future of fragrance


Various aspects of Obon
Obon is originally an abbreviation; the formal 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 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 the 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 has been customary to perform memorial services on July 15th following Ma Lin's example.
Today, Obon generally refers to the period from July 13th to 16th or August 13th to 16th, depending on the region.

(However, in some areas, the "Old Obon" is observed around July 15th based on the lunar calendar.)
The period from August 13th to 16th is called "Obon holiday," which is a "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 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 their 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 led to the custom of offering memorial services on the day when the sun sets directly in the west, marking the beginning of Higan.
Stories about gift-giving



People sometimes ask, "What is Shinmotsu?"
"Shinmotsu" refers to items or gifts given to others.
During the periods of Ochugen and Oseibo, you may often 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 a superior or an elder.
A superior or elder refers to someone with a higher age or status, such as a boss or senior, but this also includes ancestors, the deceased, and their bereaved families.
"Shinmotsu" is usually wrapped with a "Noshi" (a decorative paper with a ribbon), which often has a "Noshi" (a ceremonial paper strip) attached, called "Noshi-gami" (*officially called "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 (a machine for shaping balls) to create "Neridama" (kneaded balls).


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



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



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



Agarwood (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" (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.
It is used as a calming and stomachic medicine.

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 "Senda" (sandalwood).
An essential ingredient in Eastern-style fragrance blending, it is 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 has decreased, and it is becoming a valuable material rivaling agarwood.
Clove (Chōji)

Clove 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 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 has a strong sweet aroma and a spicy, tingling taste on the tongue.
Cinnamon (Keihi)
Cinnamon is made from the dried bark of trees of the Cinnamomum genus, 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 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.
• 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 the airflow.
Approximately 18g per bundle, with a diameter of 12.5mm (the thickness and weight may vary slightly depending on the manufacturing period).
• Main raw materials of incense: cedar powder, talc powder, dyes
• Content: 10 long sticks, smoky, approximately 25cm in length, burn time about 55 minutes, product dimensions and weight: 163x45x270mm, 346g
2023/03/06 17:55:16#26736d867dc05e8715fbe2a14657a0fa4d644fff
・内容量：長寸10束 煙の量：有煙 線香の長さ:約25cm 燃焼時間:約55分 商品寸法・重量：163x45x270mm 346g
2023/03/06 17:55:16#26736d867dc05e8715fbe2a14657a0fa4d644fff