The Kōdō ceremony, or the art of perfume in Japan
There are civilizations whose codes and traditions span the ages. Japanese civilization is one of them. Recognized for its refinement, precision and delicacy, Japanese culture contains hidden treasures that only a handful of initiates know, master and perpetuate. Thanks to his strong ties to Nippon Kōdō , a Japanese brand of incense since 1575, Estéban had the privilege of attending a most confidential ritual: the kōdō ceremony (literally, "the way of incense" ). This ancestral art based on olfaction and concentration was once practiced by samurai before a battle, Zen monks and some members of the Imperial Court. A look back at a fascinating and intimate initiation ...
If the exercise of kōdō has experienced a certain enthusiasm during the previous century, it is today particularly confidential, especially as its learning in Japan is only provided by two schools: the Oie school, at the approach very artistic, and the Shino school, with a more spiritual approach. Each of these schools has a single “great master”, a title and a vocation passed down from generation to generation for 500 years, just like the raw materials they handle: certain woods used in these ceremonies are centuries old. Imagine the emotion one can feel when living the same sensory experience as a shogun*, a poet or an aristocrat of the time. This is an emotional journey that no one can be prepared for.
*shogun: High ranking samurai
Each chapter of this collection is illustrated visually, by a calligraphic symbol, and olfactory, by a combination of precious woods. Indeed, during the preparation of the game, the master of ceremonies chooses 5 different species of incense wood that he cuts into 5 pieces each, then places the 25 fragments in paper envelopes. The 5 envelopes that will be used for the ceremony of the day are then selected. Mathematically, there are thus 52 possible wood combinations - as many as the number of chapters contained in Genji's Tale (excluding introduction and conclusion).
The aim of the game ? Recognize the nature of each of the woods smelled thanks to their scent in order to state the right combination (and therefore, the right chapter). The 5 pieces can come from the same wood, be all different or even be partially identical (some from the same stumps and others not). If the plot is stimulating, the task is no less difficult ...
The course of the game
To begin with, the master of ceremonies constitutes the censers which will receive the fragments of wood “listened to” during the session: ceramic vessels inside which is placed a piece of charcoal, immediately covered with ashes (in order to preserve its incandescence). . Placed in equilibrium at the top of the ash dome, a mica plate serves as a base for the incense wood which diffuses its fragrant wake without being consumed.
Once the first incense burner is made, the master of ceremonies gives it to the first guest who “appreciates” it before placing it on a square of fabric in front of him - a sign, for the next participant, that he can himself. seize the object -. And so on for all participants. Five incense holders circulate in this way in a precise order, until all the guests have taken cognizance of the scented woods randomly selected by the grand master.
The right gesture:
To "appreciate" the incense at its true value, it is advisable to adopt a specific gesture:
> First, grab the container with your right hand and place it on your left palm,
> Make sure that the "listening line" * of the container is facing you, [* named Kikisuji, this line is a line drawn on the ash of the censer which indicates the front of the object - the prettiest part and the one that decorum invites us to contemplate while appreciating the scent of the sacred woods -].
> Cover the dome with ash tightly with his right hand, leaving a gap between his thumb and forefinger so as to form a 'fragrance chimney' up to his nose.
> Finally, observe 3 deep breaths (and not one more) of the emanated perfume, taking care to exhale on the side (always on the right), so as not to disturb the volutes of smoke.
Finally, each guest gives his answer on the different woods felt, indicating on a pre-filled parchment the combination he thinks he has identified - and this, by means of the famous calligraphy symbols (e.g. if the first 4 woods felt we look similar, and the 5th different, it will choose the symbol that shows first 4 sticks connected at the top and the 5th alone stick (left to right reading))
All the answers are then collected and recorded on a parchment by a calligrapher, who also counts the points. The master then reveals the correct answer and the participant with the highest score (that is, the greatest number of correctly identified wood species) receives the parchment as a gift. An honor that we have had the privilege to receive, thanks to the expertise of our team on site.
Following this award ceremony, the host of the ceremony greets all the guests , who also bow their heads, their hands clasped, in a sign of deference. The kōdō ceremony is officially closed. Everyone leaves with a smile on their face, delighted to have shared this moment of concentration and refinement, in the presence of other perfume enthusiasts. Wouldn't the greatest 'magical power' of incense be this ability to bring together individuals from all walks of life, in the same spirit of spirituality? After having lived this experience, we are deeply convinced of it ...
The birth of an art:
The kōdō ceremony is considered the third (and probably the most difficult) of the three traditional Japanese arts, behind the flower ceremony ( kadō ) and the tea ceremony ( chadō ). This apparently simple activity (smelling and appreciating the scent emanating from heated precious woods) is highly codified: words, gestures and attitudes have a very specific role, inherited from several centuries of practice (probably formalized around the 16th century, although incense was introduced in Japan in the 6th century). Incense, in general, is an integral part of the Japanese art of living, whether it is to perfume rooms and clothes or to pay homage to ancestors.
Metal incense burner and Nippon Kōdō incense box (© Nippon Kodo. Co., Ltd)
If the exercise of kōdō has experienced a certain enthusiasm during the previous century, it is today particularly confidential, especially as its learning in Japan is only provided by two schools: the Oie school, at the approach very artistic, and the Shino school, with a more spiritual approach. Each of these schools has a single “great master”, a title and a vocation passed down from generation to generation for 500 years, just like the raw materials they handle: certain woods used in these ceremonies are centuries old. Imagine the emotion one can feel when living the same sensory experience as a shogun*, a poet or an aristocrat of the time. This is an emotional journey that no one can be prepared for.
*shogun: High ranking samurai
(© Wie Sunghwan)
The wake of a treasure:
The origin of the kōdō is shrouded in mystery ... Legend has it that a stump of fragrant wood - probably a jinko - washed up on the shores of Awaji Island in 595 and that fishermen, fascinated by the smell almost supernatural that emerged from the fragments thrown into the fire, hastened to offer some to the emperor. Some of these woods, preserved for 1000 years, still figure among the riches of the Imperial Court where they continue to arouse admiration and envy. And for good reason, the precious woods used in this type of ceremony are real treasures: the price of the rarest species can reach 850€ per gram, which further adds to the prestige of this ceremony, reserved for major events and guests of 'honor.
Fragment of incense wood used during the ceremony
Play to learn to smell:
The practice and the discovery of kōdō are most often done through "games" which allow one to become familiar with the different essences of scented wood, in order to memorize them. There are nearly 300 games, but the "Genji-ko" (the one in which we participated) is certainly the best known game, because it is based on another monument of Japanese culture: "The Tale of Genji", a collection of poems of the 11th century recounting the life of the courtiers of the time.
The Tale of Genji (© Nippon Kodo. Co., Ltd)
Each chapter of this collection is illustrated visually, by a calligraphic symbol, and olfactory, by a combination of precious woods. Indeed, during the preparation of the game, the master of ceremonies chooses 5 different species of incense wood that he cuts into 5 pieces each, then places the 25 fragments in paper envelopes. The 5 envelopes that will be used for the ceremony of the day are then selected. Mathematically, there are thus 52 possible wood combinations - as many as the number of chapters contained in Genji's Tale (excluding introduction and conclusion).
The aim of the game ? Recognize the nature of each of the woods smelled thanks to their scent in order to state the right combination (and therefore, the right chapter). The 5 pieces can come from the same wood, be all different or even be partially identical (some from the same stumps and others not). If the plot is stimulating, the task is no less difficult ...
A very codified ceremony:
Preparation of censers by the master of ceremonies
If we speak of "listening" to the incense, rather than "smelling" it, it is to evoke the concentration necessary for this exercise, comparable to that imposed on us by listening to a barely audible sound. . The scent of these precious woods is so subtle that its appreciation is done through a precise ceremonial that the participants observe with the greatest respect.The course of the game
To begin with, the master of ceremonies constitutes the censers which will receive the fragments of wood “listened to” during the session: ceramic vessels inside which is placed a piece of charcoal, immediately covered with ashes (in order to preserve its incandescence). . Placed in equilibrium at the top of the ash dome, a mica plate serves as a base for the incense wood which diffuses its fragrant wake without being consumed.
Installation of mica plates at the top of the censers / Gesture of Monkô - listening to incense (© Nippon Kodo. Co., Ltd)
Once the first incense burner is made, the master of ceremonies gives it to the first guest who “appreciates” it before placing it on a square of fabric in front of him - a sign, for the next participant, that he can himself. seize the object -. And so on for all participants. Five incense holders circulate in this way in a precise order, until all the guests have taken cognizance of the scented woods randomly selected by the grand master.
Master of ceremonies "enjoying" the scent of one of the censers before passing it around
The right gesture:
To "appreciate" the incense at its true value, it is advisable to adopt a specific gesture:
> First, grab the container with your right hand and place it on your left palm,
> Make sure that the "listening line" * of the container is facing you, [* named Kikisuji, this line is a line drawn on the ash of the censer which indicates the front of the object - the prettiest part and the one that decorum invites us to contemplate while appreciating the scent of the sacred woods -].
> Cover the dome with ash tightly with his right hand, leaving a gap between his thumb and forefinger so as to form a 'fragrance chimney' up to his nose.
> Finally, observe 3 deep breaths (and not one more) of the emanated perfume, taking care to exhale on the side (always on the right), so as not to disturb the volutes of smoke.
Finally, each guest gives his answer on the different woods felt, indicating on a pre-filled parchment the combination he thinks he has identified - and this, by means of the famous calligraphy symbols (e.g. if the first 4 woods felt we look similar, and the 5th different, it will choose the symbol that shows first 4 sticks connected at the top and the 5th alone stick (left to right reading))
Explanation of the reading of the symbols by the Grand Master / Participant looking for the symbol corresponding to his answer among the 52 existing symbols.
All the answers are then collected and recorded on a parchment by a calligrapher, who also counts the points. The master then reveals the correct answer and the participant with the highest score (that is, the greatest number of correctly identified wood species) receives the parchment as a gift. An honor that we have had the privilege to receive, thanks to the expertise of our team on site.
Calligrapher listing the answers given on a scroll / Winner of the game, receiving the scroll as a gift
Following this award ceremony, the host of the ceremony greets all the guests , who also bow their heads, their hands clasped, in a sign of deference. The kōdō ceremony is officially closed. Everyone leaves with a smile on their face, delighted to have shared this moment of concentration and refinement, in the presence of other perfume enthusiasts. Wouldn't the greatest 'magical power' of incense be this ability to bring together individuals from all walks of life, in the same spirit of spirituality? After having lived this experience, we are deeply convinced of it ...
