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, selected as one of 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 designating 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, 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, 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 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, still 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, our Bunkudo hopes to continue helping preserve the rich fragrances and the natural, cultural, and daily life sources behind them 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."
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 by being 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 and in imitation of Ma Lin, people have held memorial services on July 15th.
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.)
Generally, the Obon holiday period is from August 13th to 16th, called "Tsukure Obon."
Additionally, it is customary to perform "Bon Odori" during Obon, 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 "Chūnichi" (midday), and 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.

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."
The belief that Amida Buddha's Pure Land is located in the west led to the custom of offering memorial services on the day of the equinox when the sun sets in the west, marking the beginning of Higan.
Stories about offerings.



Some people ask, "What is Shinmotsu?"
"Shinmotsu" refers to items or gifts given to others.
During the Obon and year-end gift seasons, you often see the word "Shinmotsu" in department stores, and some customers may have experienced staff asking, "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 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 typically 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, and their bereaved families.
"Shinmotsu" usually involves a decorative paper called "Noshi" (officially "Kakegami"), often printed with Mizuhiki (decorative cord).

The type of Noshi varies depending on the occasion, such as celebrations, condolences, or reciprocals.
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 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板 (plate) called "Banban" without gaps.



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



Agarwood (Jinkō)
Resin that has accumulated and solidified 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 "Jinkōboku."
Resin formed over many years within the wood, buried in soil or water, solidifies and emits a distinctive aroma, becoming a prized fragrant wood.
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."
An essential ingredient in Eastern-style fragrance blending, also used as a valuable material in Buddhist statues and arts and crafts.
Due to natural disasters and increased demand, sandalwood is becoming increasingly scarce and is approaching the rarity level of agarwood.
Clove (Chōji)

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



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 major producers.
For cooks, the term "clove" is more familiar than "Chōji."
It is commonly 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 such as Cinnamomum verum (true cinnamon) of the Lauraceae family, believed to originate 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 Kudzu root decoction (Kakkonto) is characteristic of cinnamon.

It pairs well with cakes, bread, cookies, and black tea, and is widely used in cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast, and cinnamon sticks.
A traditional incense since 1850 (Kaei 3).
Scent of cedar.

Made entirely in Japan from Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture.
Burning time may vary slightly depending on how the incense is burned and air flow.
Approximately 28g per bundle, with a diameter of 15mm (bundle size and weight may vary slightly depending on manufacturing period).
Main raw materials of incense: Momiji incense, three types of incense: cedar powder, talc powder, dye.
Contents: 7 long bundles, smoky, length of incense: about 24cm, burning time: about 50 minutes, product dimensions and weight: 140x43x276mm, 363g.
2023/03/06 17:54:35#35495798c1f6ce480eaae59206b92d8a28a7e370
・内容量：長寸7束 煙の量：有煙 線香の長さ:約24cm 燃焼時間:約50分 商品寸法・重量：140x43x276mm 363g
2023/03/06 17:54:35#35495798c1f6ce480eaae59206b92d8a28a7e370