Incense of the Day

[Oudamberlove]

Shoyeido’s agarwood chip, Matsu grade….

This is heavily fragrant and better, to me, than the next grade up which is almost wine as much for half of less. While I find the heat needs to be turned up higher than the expensive stuff, it fills the room with scent while the other is more for incense ceremonies. I think that I will ask for another 10grams for a gift from my mom.

what’s the silk box?

Over a decade ago, the Shoyeido Premium Line was packaged in a silk covered box. Here are the ones I have, from left to right, Shokaku, Myoho, Goun, Gaho, and Nankun.

 

[Oudamberlove]

Yamadamatsu Hojo Red

The aroma reminds me of facets of many regions of agarwood.

 

[p$yl35h]

Today I dug into my Japanese favorites and lit up the minorien fu-in sandalwood. It’s nice and homely - great for prayers!!

 

[p$yl35h]

Today I opened up the powerful and foreboding Dzongsar monastery Incense of Concentration! Off the top, the tree juices - spruce, Sal, cypress, juniper and the valerian are clear and present. What else - perhaps with some more concentration!

 

[Olfactory Nomad]

Today I opened up the powerful and foreboding Dzongsar monastery Incense of Concentration! Off the top, the tree juices - spruce, Sal, cypress, juniper and the valerian are clear and present. What else - perhaps with some more concentration!

It seems you have a good collection of Tibetan sticks brother. Can I ask where you get them from?

 

[p$yl35h]

It seems you have a good collection of Tibetan sticks brother. Can I ask where you get them from?

Many of these were from Incense Traditions (CAN) but they don’t deliver to US anymore. Got into it a few years ago due to a freak purchase in an organic store - original healing tara incense - still one of my favorites. Since then been a combination of Buddhist relic sites, Etsy, eBay. Ali, new age therapy sites and direct from monasteries if possible 🙂 I find it a bit easier to stay away from wannabe monastery sticks now with some experience - bad quality ones may turn you off from the entire space lol. I find these variants amazing compared to even Japanese or Indian styles due to the restrain in not using concentrated perfume oils in the final stick. Just (presumably) natural ingredients processed to form sticks. Their effects are subtle and varied even with the processing/ ingredient rigor - some hidden mesOuds there for sure. God bless them!

 

[PerfumeAl]

Yamadamatsu - Hojo White - This has rapidly become one of my favourite scents period. It is so uplifting, clean, woody, slightly musky - even the wife - who does not really enjoy incense loves it. Trying it on the sub to try and make it go a little further... works great on very low - but you need to be incredibly close, goes a little strange - almost rubbery on medium. Now how to turn this profile into a perfume...?!?!?

 

[The Scent Guru]

The Sundering Seas from Yi-Xin Craft Incense, a blend of agarwoods and Ambergris

 

[skiros]

Yamadamatsu - Hojo White - This has rapidly become one of my favourite scents period. It is so uplifting, clean, woody, slightly musky - even the wife - who does not really enjoy incense loves it. Trying it on the sub to try and make it go a little further... works great on very low - but you need to be incredibly close, goes a little strange - almost rubbery on medium. Now how to turn this profile into a perfume...?!?!?

Always gets better when the wife approves it 😃

 

[SteveE]

Jianfeng Peak

Starting the morning with study of scripture and this lovely scent. Long and smooth burning. a half a stick fills an entire large room. Lasts long…

 

[p$yl35h]

Burning the Dzongsar Relieving incense - definitely a relief from traditional Dzongsars with their usual overdose of valerian, sage and woods. This one is softer with nice wormwood, hints of sandal and agar along with the usual robust mountain hearth fragrance. It’s good to calibrate senses with such sticks.

 

[YanniFu]

On Sundays we go with Green Hojari EO from @SULAYM

Compared to other Essential Oils like Rose or Vetiver Oils this one hits different in terms of complexity.

It opens with a very bright lavander-citrus-combo. Imagine sitting in a spa getting whiffs of ethereal lotions and bodyoils being transported by the dense humidity.

A few moments later there is a hint of pepper. White pepper in particular, freshly grounded releasing its oilcontent.

Herbs and spices like cardamom and nutmeg appearing throughout the day giving this cooling effect on the skin.

With more time passing by the ethereal character changes to an amazing peppery frankincense note with a salty twist in the background.
The Oman coastline comes to mind where the smoke of frankincense meets the ocean air.

Finally the drydown welcomes you again with its lemony green basenotes.

CRISP

 

[p$yl35h]

Tsogyal latso monastery sticks - fine exposition on more spicy lively Tibetans with a saffron kick to them. Remind me of another old favorite Ba’er Kude Se incense.

 

[Olfactory Nomad]

Dreams of An - Nam - Kangiiten. Brought these away with me and only just found them in my luggage. 💚🤤

 

[skiros]

Dr Incense- Emperor Li’s Sleeping Incense

Truly surprised by this blend, did not expect I would enjoy this so much. I think this has pear juice submerged sandalwood and agarwood. I wish I had ordered a backup for this.

 

[RexNobody]

Dr Incense- Emperor Li’s Sleeping Incense

Truly surprised by this blend, did not expect I would enjoy this so much. I think this has pear juice submerged sandalwood and agarwood. I wish I had ordered a backup for this.

One of my favorite incense ever. I have variations of Emperor Li and this one is my favorite by far.

 

[p$yl35h]

One of my favorite incense ever. I have variations of Emperor Li and this one is my favorite by far.

Agree wholeheartedly!! Very beautiful incense.

 

[Alamande]

‘Honey agarwood’ sticks (蜜沉) from Yu Xiang Tang in Taipei.

These were a bit of an afterthought, but I am actually enjoying them on the subitism. Thick, oudy, sweet, slightly floral.

 

[p$yl35h]

Bhutanese Drichog Chotrim - smooth well-blended, hard sticks that burn with fragrances full of berries - especially juniper, safflower and some sandal. Easy to use and like.

 

[p$yl35h]

Billowing clouds of smoke from the palyul monastery incense. Immediately, the high quality woods like cypress show themselves - there’s also bits of sweetness from sandal and funk from agar. Very calming and grounding incense.