Kyukyodo Nerikoh (Kneaded Incense) Collection

Kneaded Incense Favored in Tea Ceremony Tradition

This collection presents kneaded incense traditionally appreciated within Japanese tea ceremony culture. Each type reflects a refined aesthetic shaped by long-standing practice and lineage, allowing the quiet depth and seasonal sensibility of kneaded incense to be experienced.

Available Types of Kneaded Incense

Kurobo
A deeply traditional kneaded incense valued for its composed and dignified character, suitable for both formal occasions and everyday appreciation.

Zaun
A kneaded incense with a calm and balanced fragrance, expressing restraint and classical elegance.

Wakamatsu
A fresh and quietly vital kneaded incense that conveys a sense of youthfulness and clarity.

Shoju
A refined kneaded incense with a gentle, auspicious character, traditionally appreciated for its harmonious balance.

Murasakino
A kneaded incense that emphasizes quiet depth and maturity, offering a composed and contemplative aromatic presence.

Shibafune
A classical kneaded incense with a calm and understated fragrance, suited to unhurried and attentive enjoyment.

How to Use and Store Kneaded Incense

The formal method of enjoying kneaded incense is to use silver mica sheets. In periods before modern heating, kneaded incense was traditionally enjoyed from early autumn through winter and into early summer. Today, it may be used according to personal preference, while in tea gatherings it is typically used during the ro season from November to April.

When using an incense burner or brazier, place one or two pellets slightly away from the heat source so that the incense warms gradually and releases its fragrance. Care should be taken to ensure that the pellets do not come into direct contact with the heat. Kneaded incense should be warmed while still moist.

If the incense becomes dry or develops mold, gently wipe away any mold and place the pellets on a dish. Add a small amount of lukewarm water and gently rotate the pellets so that moisture is evenly absorbed, restoring both texture and aroma. Alternatively, the incense may be re-kneaded in a mortar with a thin solution of honey to revive its fragrant character.