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 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 derived from 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, when American occupation soldiers visited E, 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 all over the town, so I thought there might be a memorial service for someone important."
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 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, Kaunkudo hopes to continue helping preserve the rich fragrances, natural environments, culture, and lifestyles 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 Maudgalyayana, one of Buddha's disciples, who sought to save his deceased mother.

Once, Maudgalyayana learned that his mother was being punished by being hung upside down in the realm of hungry ghosts, 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, out of respect for ancestors, it is 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.)
Generally, the Obon holiday period is from August 13th to 16th, called "Tsukure Obon."
Additionally, it is customary to hold "Bon Odori" during Obon, which is said to originate from Maudgalyayana dancing joyfully after saving his mother.
Various aspects of Higan.



The day when daytime and nighttime are of equal length is called the "Chūnichi," 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 the deceased and ancestors.

At temples, memorial services called "Higan-e" are held to honor ancestors.
Originally, "Higan" refers to the world of enlightenment, free from delusion, called the Pure Land in Buddhism.

Our current world is called "Shigan," meaning the "this shore."
The Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, believed to be in the west, is the reason why the day of the equinox, when the sun sets directly in the west, became a day of memorial service.
Stories about offerings.



People sometimes 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" on department store displays or hear clerks ask, "Is this for a gift?" when purchasing.
So, what is the difference between "Gōtōhin" (gift items) and "Shinmotsu"?
In simple terms, they are the same, but considering their meanings, 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 a decorative paper called "Noshi" with a printed or attached "Noshi" (formal wrapping), often with a Mizuhiki (decorative cord).

The type of "Noshi" varies depending on the occasion, such as celebrations, condolences, or return gifts.
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 pressed with a 玉締め機 (compression machine) to create "Neridama" (kneaded balls).


(2) Bonyuki (cutting into strips)
The "Neridama" is pressed through a 玉押し機 (strip extruder) to form long, thin strands resembling somen noodles.



(3) Itamuki (placing on a board)
The strands are laid out 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."
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.

Sandalwood (Byakudan)

Evergreen trees 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 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.
Clove (Chōji)

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



It is named because its shape resembles a nail.
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, "Chōji" may 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 call it "Cinnamon" rather than "Keihi."
The aroma of cinnamon is similar to that of the Chinese herb Kudzu root (Kakkonto).

It pairs well with cakes, bread, cookies, and black tea, and is widely used in cinnamon rolls, cinnamon toast, and cinnamon sticks.
When lighting incense, the characters "Ancestor Memorial" appear as the incense burns.
A subtle fragrance.

Main ingredients of incense: charcoal powder and wood powder.
Content weight: about 70g, Smoke: smoky type.

Incense length: about 13.5cm, Burning time: about 45 minutes, Product dimensions and weight: 85x23x260mm, 113g.
2023/06/08 19:19:11#13b1d7ad676d8cec2f5d0eb71d537de9da3146e6
・線香の長さ:約13.5cm 燃焼時間:約45分 商品寸法・重量：85x23x260mm113g
2023/06/08 19:19:11#13b1d7ad676d8cec2f5d0eb71d537de9da3146e6