However, making this idea a reality was not so easy. The first difficulty was to recreate this particular perfume. Indeed, unlike classic incense which releases its fragrance when burnt; tea is an organic leaf and releases an unpleasant smoke when burned. This is why "matcha scent" incense is, in fact, only made of chemical perfumes. Kyoko-san was not going to give up so easily. She thought of the tea leaves whose scent is exhaled by hot water. So here was the solution: heat, but not burn. Heating has another advantage; it prevents toxic fumes, responsible for many diseases, from being released. With this natural smoke-free incense, you can enjoy a sweet Japanese fragrance without risk for the air in your home.

Thus, Kyoko Goto, after years of developing her idea, officially started her activity in 2018, offering a healthy incense, produced from Uji matcha tea. Like other Japanese artisans, Kyoko personalized her handmade incense using wooden molds of traditional and iconic Japanese shapes. You can find the daruma, the maneki neko, the Mount Fuji ... As well as less common forms, but all representative of the country like the turtle, the maple tree leaves and ginkos ... Without forgetting the symbols of Uji, dear to Kyoko-san's heart.

 

Sublime shapes from Japanese folklore  

A little bit of history about incense in the land of the rising sun. The kōdō 香 道, literally the way of perfume, is considered an art in Japan. In the archipelago, the expression “listening to the scent” is used. This art was codified in the 15th century; inspired by a much older and once popular activity among the Japanese nobility. Already in the 11th century, the famous novel "Genji Monogatari" (“Genji’s sayings” in English) depicted life at the imperial court during the Heian period (8th century) and described perfume competitions, where the most talented noses of the palace were battling and trying to recognize each components of a scent. It is interesting to note that the last chapters of this book; a reference in Japanese literature, take place in the city of Uji.

All the stars were therefore aligned for the creation of this matcha incense. To accompany her incense, Kyoko Goto has also designed a support with a refined line, the Gin-yo set, in order to heat this delicate incense according to the rules of the art. And to share her art and passion, she also organizes incense-making experiences for the public at the Agata-jinja shrine in Uji. 

If you are interested in her creations, please visit our store. Kyoko Goto's incense is exclusive to UNJAPAN. If you want to experience making your own incense with Kyoko-san in Uji, please contact us at info@unjapan.jp

To learn more about Kyoko and her incense, you can find her interview below for UNJAPAN in a meditative atmosphere in the heart of the Agata temple in Uji.