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A Different Style of Indian Incense Kanak Bhawan comes from Malaan Gaudhoop Co., a small Indian incense house based in Maharashtra. Unlike the bamboo-core agarbatti most commonly associated with Indian incense, Kanak Bhawan is made in the dhoop style. The sticks are thicker, hand rolled and contain no bamboo core. This gives Kanak a noticeably different presence. Each stick is substantial and slow burning, with a fragrance that quickly fills the room. The name translates as “Palace of Gold” and is also shared with the Kanak Bhawan in Ayodhya, a palace and temple traditionally associated with Rama and Sita. It's...

A Woody Japanese Incense Umeshoin is one of the higher-grade traditional incenses from Gyokushodo, a Japanese incense house based in Sakai, Osaka. The blend centres around aloeswood, with Borneo camphor and spices used alongside the woods. The amount of wood in the blend is noticeable. Umeshoin has a dry, woody character throughout the burn, while the spices and camphor sit further in the background. They add warmth and brightness without turning it into an obviously spicy or camphorous incense. This gives Umeshoin quite a different character from many Japanese blends where spices, florals or oils are easier to identify. Here,...

An Introduction to Premium Japanese Incense Japanese incense can vary enormously in price. Some are designed for everyday burning, while others use rare aromatic woods and are produced in much smaller quantities. So what actually makes premium Japanese incense different? The biggest difference is usually found in the ingredients. Higher-end Japanese incense often contains greater quantities, or higher grades, of precious aromatic woods such as aloeswood and sandalwood. At the very top end, some incenses incorporate exceptionally rare materials such as kyara. But expensive incense isn't simply about using expensive ingredients. Blending, craftsmanship and balance all play a part. And...

A Refined Japanese Classic Tokusen Kobunboku belongs to Baieido's well-known Kobunboku family, a collection built around one of the incense house's signature formulas. The original Kobunboku combines sandalwood with traditional aromatic ingredients including borneol, clove, cinnamon and other herbs. Tokusen takes this familiar foundation and adds Kalimantan aloeswood, giving the blend greater depth and a darker woody character. The name Kobunboku is associated with the plum tree, while 'Tokusen' roughly means specially selected or excellent. Rather than completely reinventing the original, Tokusen feels like a deeper and more complex interpretation of it. For anyone beginning to explore traditional Japanese incense,...

Agarwood vs Sandalwood Agarwood and sandalwood are two of the most important aromatic woods used in incense. Both have been used for centuries across Asian incense traditions, but their fragrances are quite different. Sandalwood is generally warm, smooth and sweet. Agarwood, also known as aloeswood or oud, tends to be deeper and more complex with woody, resinous, sweet, earthy and sometimes bitter notes. What Do Agarwood and Sandalwood Smell Like? Sandalwood has a soft and rounded aroma. Good sandalwood can smell creamy, slightly sweet and almost buttery, with a woody warmth. It's usually quite easy to recognise and often provides...