It is most likely that with the discovery of fire, scraps of resinous wood were tossed upon the flames, causing a remarkable fragrance. Mankind had discovered fragrant smoke, or incense. Brought to Japan in the eighth century by Buddhist monks, who used the mystical aromas in their religious ceremonies, “Koh,” as incense is called in Japanese, passed into the realm of the aristocracy centuries later as a source of amusement and enlightenment as they “listened to the fragrance” in their parlor games. Now, incense has become even more acceptable and desirable as a new dimension in gracious living.
At Drala we have the largest selection of Japanese incense in eastern Canada (maybe all of Canada!), including sticks, cones, coils, granulated and body powder incense. We also stock handcrafted Japanese ceramic incense cups, bowls, and wheels, and other accessories such as sand, ash and charcoal. Below is a list of our most popular, regularly-stocked incense; drop into our store to see our complete selection. Due to import/export regulations, we are not permitted to ship Japanese incense to addresses outside of Canada.
SHOYEIDO INCENSE
Since 1705, master blenders a Shoeido have been perfecting the art of blending select natural ingredients into the finest, most subtle incense in the world. These fagrances are derived from recipies using the finest traditional ingredients: aromatic woods, herbs, roots, seeds, tree bark, resins and spices. There is no bamboo stick core, and no synthetic oils are used.
Daily Incense
Timeless natural fragrances blended for everyday enjoyment. Twenty to fifty natural ingredients are combined in precise proportions to create these soothing and evocative scents. Eight fresh fragrances…seven days a week: Great Origin ($4.95), Eternal Treasure ($3.95), Moss Garden ($6.95), Kyoto Autumn Leaves ($4.95), Golden Pavilion ($5.95), Kyoto Cherry Blossoms ($7.95), Five Hills($9.95), White Cloud ($17.95)
Bundle of 40 sticks, 8.75” Approx. burning time: 50 min. per stick
Jewel Series
Evoke the spirits of five precious stones, each a symbol of humanity’s greatest inner qualities: Diamond/Power, Ruby/Strength, Amythest/Balance, Emerald/Awareness, Sapphire/Devotion
Bundle of 40 sticks, 5.25” Approx. burning time: 30 min. per stick ($5.60)
Kyoto Moon
A source of creative energy; an old friend arriving to provide quiet company in the night; a heavenly guide, signalling the labors of each season. Creativity/blend of sandalwood, cinnamon and clove; Tranquility/blend of sandalwood and cedarwood; and Abundance/sandalwood and spices
Bundle of 35 sticks, 5.25” Approx. burning time: 30 min. per stick ($4.95)
Aesthetic Series
Low-smoke sticks, without sacrificing personality and refinement. Each of these three scents is as ambient and gentle as its namesake suggests.
Silhouette/Frankincense, benzoin, sandalwood, spices; Gossamer/sandalwood and patchouli; Illusions/sandalwood, camphor and aromatic herbs
Bundle of 40 sticks, 5.25” Approx. burning time: 30 min. per stick ($7.95)
Incense Road: Nan-zan
The Nan-zan incense recipe uses only the highest quality of raw frankincense available. Simply superb!
Box of 60 incense sticks, 2.75”; Approx. burning time: 20 min. per stick ($34.95)
Shoyeido Selects
Plum Blossoms: Combination of sandalwood, saussurea, and cinnamon evokes the scent of a spring forest.
Box of 150 sticks, 5.25” Approx. burning time: 30 min. per stick ($11.95)
Orchid: A combination of floral notes and cinnamon for an unusual and evocative scent.
Box of 300 sticks, 5.25” Approx. burning time: 20 min. per stick ($11.25)
Horin Incense Coils
Horin, meaning “fragrant ring,” offers a senses-pleasing and long-lasting way to fill your home or work space with a sublime scent.
Avenue of the Villa: Nijo
A timeless sandalwood recipe, reminiscent of a fresh afternoon rain.
Box of 10 incense coils, Coil incense holder. Approx. burning time: 2 1/2 hours per coil ($19.95)
Granulated Incense
Enjoyed by sprinkling a small pinch onto a lit charcoal. Made from superior aromatic woods, herbs, spices, barks, roots, resins, seeds, and more, our granulated incenses are a way to experience timeless natural fragrances, just as the ancients did. Use with white ash on charcoal.
Lotus Leaf Granulated Incense/Rendai-koh
Sandalwood, clove, cinnamon, spices
Box of granulated incense, .88 oz., ($7.95)
Floral World Incense Cones
Cone-shaped incense is a colorful alternative to the familiar “joss stick” format. Only top-grade herbs, woods, essential oils and other natural ingredients are used. Available in Lavender, Rose, Jasmine and Pine.
Box of 8 individually wrapped incense cones. Biodegradable cone holder. Approx. burning time: 10 min. per cone ($9.95)
NIPPON KODO INCENSE
Nippon Kodo’s devotion to making fine incense follows a long and honored tradition that started more than 400 years ago and can be traced back to Jyuemon Takai, a skilled artisan in the art and the principal provider of precious rare and exquisite aromas to the Emperor of Japan and his Court.
Daigen-Koh (Rosewood)
Purple sticks packaged in a red box, this is the incense traditionally used by Shambhala Centres.
Discontinued by the manufacturer.
Morning Star
Morning Star incense was created in the 1960s in Japan. The powerful fragrances in this collection, mixed with high quality ingredients, have made this incense a loved and trusted worldwide brand. Available in Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Pine, Musk, Patchouli, Jasmine, Rose, Amber, Vanilla, Green Tea, Lavender, Cinnamon, Lotus, Mimosa, Yuzu, Gardenia, Iris and Fig.
Box 200 sticks, 5 7/8” Burn time Approx. 25 min. ($12.95)
Box 50 sticks, 5 7/8” Burn time Approx. 25 min. ($4.95)
Mainichi-Koh
Sandalwood (Yellow box)
Box 300 sticks, 5 7/8” Burn time Approx. 30 min. ($12.95)
Viva Sandalwood
Bundle of 40 sticks, 5.7/8” Approx. burning time: 30 min. per stick ($2.95)
Bundle of 40 sticks, 10 1/2” Approx. burning time: 60 min. per stick ($4.95)
Ka-Fuh
[ka-fuh] : The scent of blossoms in the wind. This low-smoke incense is made from selected natural organic ingredients. Lavender, Cyprus, White Plum, Aqua, Daphne
Box 50 sticks, 6 1/8” Burn time Approx. 25 min. ($5.85)
Box of 120 sticks, 6 1/8” Burn time Approx. 25 min. ($11.95)
Cho-Cho-San
Thirty-six-cone assortment in a delightful package, with burner.
Nine each of Sandalwood, Cherry, Kyara, Pine
Burn time approx. 10 min. ($9.95)