Every spring I visit an “old friend” at Kubota Garden in Seattle: a stately Chinese plum tree. If I sit against its large trunk, I’m completely hidden from view by its flower-covered branches that touch the ground. The scent of the thousands of white plum blossoms changes over time. The tiny round unopened buds smell fresh and leafy with a whiff of rain. At their peak, the flowers diffuse a strange and lavish perfume with hints of honey, clove, old-fashioned bubblegum, wood smoke and masa. As the flowers fade and begin to fall, their last breath smells of delicate incense.
It is this final stage of the plum flower’s existence that is evoked by Shoyeido’s Baika-ju (Plum Blossoms) Incense.
Shoyeido, based in Kyoto, Japan, has been making traditional Japanese incense since 1705 and selling it to the West since 1894. In the manufacture of traditional incense — made with all-natural ingredients (gums, resins, woods, dried herbs and spices) — it is a challenge to duplicate the scent of flowers. Shoyeido’s Plum Blossoms is the incense maker’s equivalent of an artist’s pencil or charcoal sketch — the fragrance of plum blossoms is hinted at, ‘outlined.’ Shoyeido does not fully divulge the ingredients of Plum Blossoms incense but I detect sandalwood, clove, cinnamon and benzoin in the formula. The scent is ethereal and conjures up a warm and sunny spring afternoon.
Shoyeido produces incense sticks, coils, cones, powder (for the body) and crystals (for use on hot charcoal or a mica plate). It also sells fragrant wood chips, books on incense, and many styles of incense burners — from traditional to quirky. Sample packs of incense are available for purchase. Baika-ju (Plum Blossoms) incense is $11.95 for a box of 150 sticks, and can be purchased at Shoyeido (or at their retail boutique in Boulder, Colorado), or at drugstore.com, japanesegarden, monastery store, and santosha.
Baika-ju is indeed a marvelous incense. It's one of the staples of my Reiki practice. It helps to create an atmosphere of calm contemplation.
My favourite Japanese incense maker is Baieido, Ogurayama being my favourite incense from them. Nakata-san, the MD of Baieido in Sakai City once sent me a marvellous incense stick holder with a cute Tanuki on it, it's one of my treasured possesions.
Barry: Yes, Baieido is wonderful. I want to try their new “Green Tea” incense (smokeless). I'll also try the Ogurayama on your recommendation. Wish I could SEE your tanuki incense holder! K
I'll definitely have to try their incense when I get the chance. Most of the popular incense is not really my cup of tea so I look forward to test some of this higher-end sticks!
Thank you for the lovely review. I have been using Shoyeido incense for years. I will definitely be looking for this one.
I think starting with some traditional Japanese incense would be good: calming, subtle. K
Thanks Vennie. I've been using Plum Blossoms for years and never tire of it
Kevin, I don't have a digital camera, otherwise I would have sent you a picture of it with pleasure.
Another one of Baieido's sticks is called Koubunboku, really, really wonderful.
I haven't had the chance to try the Green Tea sticks yet, they got favourable comments on Alice's Restaurant if I remember correctly. I think David Oller ran out of them at one point.
B: I ordered the Green Tea incense yesterday…I'll let you know “the verdict”…probably on NST. K
Looking forward to your review Kevin when your parcel arrives.