Kyoto Gyoen National Garden was once lined with the mansions of Heian aristocrats. Today, it is a vast park beloved by locals and tourists alike, and is the very heart of the ancient capital. One street west of this historic site, stands a quiet gate to a shop specializing in aromatic woods that has been in business since the Edo period.

Yamadamatsu Incense Store is a long-established incense store that has preserved and passed down the tradition of "Japanese fragrance" that has been cultivated since the Heian period in the birthplace of incense culture. Here, you can experience the profound scents born from fragrant woods and natural fragrances, and spend a luxurious time contemplating them.

Connecting the culture of fragrant woods cultivated over time

Founded in 1772 (Meiwa 9), Yamada Matsu Incense Store's history began as a drug wholesaler, importing ingredients for herbal medicines, mainly from China. These drugs also included fragrant woods, and those with strong scents were suitable for use as incense ingredients, so the store gradually shifted its focus to specializing in fragrant woods.

Once you pass through the noren curtain, the interior is enveloped in a soft, calming fragrance, and the highlight is the impressive wall-to-wall incense chest of drawers. The 400 drawers contain carefully stored incense woods and ingredients, sorted by origin and grade, finely chopped or powdered according to their intended use.

"Aromatic wood is made of wood fibers entangled with resin, and when heat is applied indirectly, the resin melts and a pleasant fragrance wafts through the air," explains Public Relations Officer Noriko Miura.

Fragrant wood is difficult to create artificially, and is a miraculous product that is born in nature over a long period of time. It can take more than 100 years to produce a high-quality product. Yamadamatsu Fragrant Wood Shop offers products and experiences that allow you to enjoy traditional scents made from these precious fragrant woods and natural incense ingredients.

"I believe that we must pass on Japan's incense culture, which has continued since the Heian period, to the next generation and the generation after that," says Miura, whose words exude a sense of mission as a long-established company involved in fragrances for many years.

Relive the scent of ancient times by making incense paste

The experiences offered at the shop include the "Perfumery Course," where you can create your own original fragrance using natural fragrance ingredients, and the "Monkou Course," where you can take your time to appreciate the profound fragrance of fragrant wood.

In the "Incense Blending Course"'s "Incense Making Experience," you can make "incense" by mixing several types of fragrances, such as resin, nuts, and conch shell caps, and kneading them with honey.

The main ingredients of the fragrance are agarwood, which gives off a complex and deep scent, and sandalwood, which has a sweet and woody scent.Other natural fragrance ingredients include shellfish, which gives off a long-lasting scent, and musk, which is so precious that it has now been largely replaced by synthetic fragrances.

As we listened to the explanations for each ingredient and tried their scent, we discovered that they all had a unique scent reminiscent of Chinese herbal medicine. "I wonder what kind of scent it will have when these ingredients are mixed together and heated," we thought, our hearts building with anticipation for the finished product.

The base fragrance is based on existing documents from the Heian period, and you can learn a recipe that is close to the original. After that, add your favorite fragrance ingredients and mix with honey to complete the fragrance.

The finished incense can be enjoyed using a method called "sora-daki," an old-fashioned way of burning incense to fill the air with fragrance, and was used by Heian aristocrats to infuse their rooms and kimonos with fragrance.

By placing lit charcoal among the ashes of the incense burner and slowly warming the incense with indirect heat, it is said that smoke is less likely to be produced, making it ideal for enjoying the scent indoors.

During the Heian period, the practice of "takimonoawase" (incense contests), in which participants competed to see who could create the best incense by blending their own original incense, flourished among aristocrats, and it flourished as an elegant culture. When you look at the incense ingredients and think of the ancient people who must have enjoyed creating incense, you will feel as if you have traveled back in time.

Another popular experience is the "sachet making experience," where you mix several types of chopped fragrant wood to create your own unique fragrance.

You can also experience the world of fragrance in various ways, such as the "Monkou Practical Experience" where you can fully savor the scent of fragrant woods, and the "Genjiko Experience" where you can burn five fragrant woods and distinguish the differences in their scents.

A fragrance that inherits tradition and accompanies you every day

"We want the younger generation to become familiar with incense culture, so we are also focusing on developing products that are easy to purchase," says Miura.

"Hanakyoko" is a flower-shaped incense called "Inko" that looks like a colorful Japanese confectionery and is adorable, making it perfect as a souvenir or gift. You can enjoy the scent of flowers that correspond to each of the 12 months, such as "Cherry Blossom," "Morning Glory," and "Autumn Leaves."

The popular "hand cream" comes in two varieties: sandalwood and ambergris, two precious natural fragrances. Both have gentle scents that are easy to use in everyday life, allowing you to easily incorporate the soothing scent into your work breaks or breaks.

Lighting incense brings back memories of travels woven by the scent

Experience the traditional Japanese incense culture that has been passed down through the generations at Yamadamatsu Incense Store, a special experience that allows you to take home your own unique scent as a memento of your trip.

When you return from your trip and light the incense, the timeless scent will blend into your daily life, enveloping you in the feeling of an elegant moment from long ago.

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山田松香木店 京都本店
電話：075-441-4694 
住所： 京都府京都市上京区勘解由小路町164
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