Kaunkudo Co., Ltd. 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 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 focusing on natural, healthy, and convenient products.

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.
The tradition of incense making in Awaji City was recognized in 2001 by the Ministry of the Environment's "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 at 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 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 of this act, 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, in some areas, the "Old Obon" is observed around the 15th of the lunar July, based on the old lunar calendar.)
Typically, the Obon holiday period is from August 13th to 16th, called "Gekurei Bon" (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 "Shunbun no Hi" (Spring Equinox Day) and "Shuubun no Hi" (Autumn Equinox Day), and the three days before and after each make up a total of 7 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 enlightened world of Nirvana, the pure land, free from confusion, according to Buddhist terminology.

In contrast, our current world is called "Shigan."
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 when the sun sets directly in the west, the "Chuu-nichi."
The story of offerings.



People sometimes ask, "What is Shinmotsu?"
"Shinmotsu" refers to items or gifts given to others.
During the Obon and 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 items) 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 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 ribbon), which is called "Noshi-gami" (*officially called "Kakegami").

The type of "Noshi" varies depending on the occasion, such as celebrations, condolences, or return gifts.
Manufacturing of incense sticks (by handmade craftsmen).
(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 clay-like consistency, then compressed using a 玉締め機 (a pressing machine) to create "Neridama" (kneaded balls).


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



(3) Itamuki (placing on a board).
The strands are laid out closely on a flat board called "Itamuki-ban."



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



Jinkou (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 "Jinkou-moku."
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.
Used as a sedative and stomachic medicine.

Byakudan (Sandalwood).

Evergreen trees of the Santalaceae family distributed from the Maluku Islands to 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.
Chouji (Clove).

Chouji is the dried flower bud of the tree of the Myrtaceae family called "Choujino ki."



It is called "Chouji" because of its nail-like shape.
Its origin is said to be the Maluku Islands in Indonesia.
Currently, Indonesia and East Africa are major production areas.
For those who cook, it might be more familiar to call it "Clove" rather than "Chouji."
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 bark of trees of the Cinnamomum genus, such as Cinnamomum cassia, dried after harvesting. Its origin is said to be southern China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.



It might be more familiar to call it "Cinnamon" rather than "Keihi."
The fresh scent of cinnamon, similar to that of the Chinese herbal medicine "Kakkonto," is characteristic of Keihi.

It pairs well with Western confections like cakes, bread, cookies, and with black tea, and is widely used in cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast, and cinnamon sticks.
・Handmade traditional high-quality incense sticks.
Five types of floral scents (Shikuramen, Sumire, Yuri, Bara, Ran) x 2 bundles each.

Made entirely in Japan from Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture.
The burning method and airflow can cause slight variations in burning time.
・Approx. 15g per bundle, 5 types, 2 bundles each, bundle diameter about 18mm (diameter and weight may vary slightly depending on the manufacturing period). Main ingredients: Agarwood powder, various fragrances, dyes.
・Contents: 10 bundles. Smoke: Yes. Incense length: about 13.5cm. Burning time: about 40 minutes. Product dimensions and weight: 176x38x310mm, 611g.

2023/03/06 21:26:53#f98dcf8de07789d53d60e825738448f715fc71ae
・内容量：10束 煙の量：有煙 線香の長さ:約13.5cm 燃焼時間:約40分 商品寸法・重量：176x38x310mm 611g
2023/03/06 21:26:53#f98dcf8de07789d53d60e825738448f715fc71ae