Kodo 101
Kodo is a practice of burning incense in a ceramic bowl and enjoying the scent for the senses, the human spirit, and nature. Kodo incudes all aspects of the incense process such as tools, and the activities. Activities includes incense comparing games known as Kumiko, and genjiko. Kodo is counted as one of the three Japanese cultural arts along with Ikebana (flower arrangement), and Chado ( the Japanese tea ceremony).
The word Kodo expressed in Japanese is 香道. The 香is scent, and 道is the way. 香in Chinese is translated to “fragrance”, but in context “incense”. The 道can be translated in different ways. It has similar meanings in Japanese and Chinese. In Chinese it is Tao/dao, which literally (a street), and metaphorically (a stream of experience). In Japanese it would translate into the way~seen as a tradition, or practice. The 道can also be translated in to ceremony, used for 華道、and 茶道as well.
According to legand a piece of agarwood drifted ashore on Awaji Island during Empress suiko`s reign in (595 CE). People then put this wood by fire, and noticed that it gave a pleasant scent. Then, this wood was presented to local officials wherein they started practicing burning incense.
Japan is the eastern end of the silk road, and imported incense from China and Korea. This art of incense developed over 1000 years. This history of incense began in the 6th century when Agarwood was brought back from China to build Buddhist temples. Then, a ritual called sonaeko established. In this, fragrant wood, and herbs and other fragrant substances were burned to provide incense for religious purposes. Further, the practice of burning incense spread amongst the court nobility.
Further, samurai warriors would prepare for battle by purifying their minds and bodies with incense. Through their appreciation of its fragrances and their aesthetic developed the practice known as Kodo. Present kado retains the structure and manner of it in Muromachi period. At this time is when tea ceremony and ikebana developed as well.
Past time of takimono, a powdered mixutre of aromatic substances, developed. These fragrant scents played a vital role at court life during the Heian period. You may have heard The Tale of Genji in the 11th century where court life was lavish, and romance took the air. Then, robes, and even fans were perfumed, and poems were written about them. Poems written to court would be scented in one of these aroma as well.
Kodo is a practice of burning incense in a ceramic bowl and enjoying the scent for the senses, the human spirit, and nature. Kodo incudes all aspects of the incense process such as tools, and the activities. Activities includes incense comparing games known as Kumiko, and genjiko. Kodo is counted as one of the three Japanese cultural arts along with Ikebana (flower arrangement), and Chado ( the Japanese tea ceremony).
The word Kodo expressed in Japanese is 香道. The 香is scent, and 道is the way. 香in Chinese is translated to “fragrance”, but in context “incense”. The 道can be translated in different ways. It has similar meanings in Japanese and Chinese. In Chinese it is Tao/dao, which literally (a street), and metaphorically (a stream of experience). In Japanese it would translate into the way~seen as a tradition, or practice. The 道can also be translated in to ceremony, used for 華道、and 茶道as well.
According to legand a piece of agarwood drifted ashore on Awaji Island during Empress suiko`s reign in (595 CE). People then put this wood by fire, and noticed that it gave a pleasant scent. Then, this wood was presented to local officials wherein they started practicing burning incense.
Japan is the eastern end of the silk road, and imported incense from China and Korea. This art of incense developed over 1000 years. This history of incense began in the 6th century when Agarwood was brought back from China to build Buddhist temples. Then, a ritual called sonaeko established. In this, fragrant wood, and herbs and other fragrant substances were burned to provide incense for religious purposes. Further, the practice of burning incense spread amongst the court nobility.
Further, samurai warriors would prepare for battle by purifying their minds and bodies with incense. Through their appreciation of its fragrances and their aesthetic developed the practice known as Kodo. Present kado retains the structure and manner of it in Muromachi period. At this time is when tea ceremony and ikebana developed as well.
Past time of takimono, a powdered mixutre of aromatic substances, developed. These fragrant scents played a vital role at court life during the Heian period. You may have heard The Tale of Genji in the 11th century where court life was lavish, and romance took the air. Then, robes, and even fans were perfumed, and poems were written about them. Poems written to court would be scented in one of these aroma as well.