Nippon Kodo's products have unique fragrances. These fragrances come from tying together closely guarded preparation skills that are more than 400 years old with the sensitivities of modern perfumers. We inherited our skills through writings on the mixture of aromatic woods by Takai Juemon, an incense preparer who supplied the Emperor of Japan in the Tensho era (late 16th century). Perfumers with Japan's best noses and instincts interpret and evolve that tradition to create exquisite fragrances.
Valuable natural aromatic materials come from the goodness of the Earth. Even today, when materials can be hard to obtain, our researchers take it upon themselves to find and gather high-quality materials from around the world through our long - cultivated network. We create our incense by using these materials generously and effectively. But more than simply using these materials, we also engage in forestation and other forms of conservation in Southeast Asia to protect the environments from which they come.
We believe that passing on an intangible cultural activity requires practicing it with a mindset oriented toward preservation for future generations. At Nippon Kodo, we strive to convey the quality of Japan's beautiful traditions with the feeling of pride and respect. We hold lessons on incense burning and engage in activities designed to communicate the significance of Japan's traditional customs. We are taking Japanese tradition to the future in forms that fit with the times.