Kiyoko Morita

A book devoted to Kodo (also spelled Koudou or Kohdoh), the Japanese way of incense. The author is a Japanese woman who has trained in the Way of Incense; her explanations of how incense is prepared and enjoyed ("listened to") are clear and easy to read. She also recommends that Westerners who don't have access to formal instruction (which is most of us!) adapt the tradition so that we can enjoy Japanese incense without being bogged down by ceremony - a flexible and very reasonable approach. show more HIGHLY recommended! show less

Incense has a long history in Japan. At the ancient court, men and women alike scented their komono, their rooms, and even their writing paper with signature blends of incense that admirers were sure to mention later in their love poems. Even today, Japanese incense is highly regarded for its subtlety and beauty.

Author Kiyoko Morita describes how to mix blends, and how to play traditional literary games involving incense. She also introduces kodo, or the 'incense ceremony,' which enthusiasts show more still perform today.

The Book of Incense is the first book available in English that focuses on the incense traditions of Japan. Its approach is broad and eclectic. Morita encourages us to choose from among the elements of Japanese olfactory history, and to borrow the parts we like and use them as we see fit.

The Book of Incense fosters a new awareness of the importance of scent, and provides a fund old ideas for making optimal use of the sence of smell in our everyday lives.

Kiyoko Morita grew up in Hokkaido,Japan. she lives in Massachusetts,where she is a lecturer in Japanese at Tufts University and a Ph.D candidate in Educational Studies at Lesley College. Ms. Morita is also an Associate in Research at the Reischauer Institute of Harvard University and a founding member of the Boston Shino Incense Study Group. In her spare time she enjoys tennis, bicycling, and quilting.

'Opens up a fascinating dimension to the uses and pleasures of the senseof smell which is archetpally and uniquely Japanese.'-Aromatherapy Quarterly

'Gently unravels the mystique of kodo, the esoteric Japanese art form centeirng on incense, and brings it up to date.'-Daily Yomiuri

'Beautifully written introduction to the aesthetic practice of kodo.'-City LIfe News

Contents

Acknokwledgements
Foreword
Introduction
Color plates
I Incense and other aromatic substances
II Japan's encounter with incense
Incense and Buddhism
The courtiers' way
The warriors' way: The birth of Koh-do
The estabishment of incense schools: An art form for all
The decline and revival of Koh-do
III Varieties of Japanese incense
Ingredients of koh
Jinko
Incense products
IV The Koh-do way of appreciating incense
Kumikoh
Art objects for incense
The incense ceremony
Sample kumikoh for fun
Shirakawa-koh (Shirakawa border staton)
Sanshu-koh (game of three)
Sankei-koh (the three scenic sports)
Genji-kh (The Tale of Genji)
V The pleasures of incense today
VI The traditional and modern with Koh
VII Sampling Incense yourself
Appendix
Bibliography show less