The Composition Of A Japanese Incense Stick

A Japanese incense stick is a form of aromatherapy that has been around for hundreds of years. The composition of a Japanese incense stick varies depending on the company that manufactured the incense stick. There are some basic ingredients that are found in almost all Japanese incense sticks which are requisites in making them. Japanese incense sticks are renowned for their quality and delicacy as well as their presentation. The Japanese may have perfected the composition of incense in spite adopting its use from the Chinese who introduce this and Buddhism to the Japanese.

Basic Ingredients

These two are the basic ingredients that are the foundation of most Japanese incense sticks. Agarwood is also known as jinko and can be found in Japan and some other regions near it in Asia. On the other hand, sandalwood is also a common but expensive ingredient which is commonly found in most Indian states. The problem with a Japanese incense stick is that most companies who produce this require top quality ingredients. The highest quality of sandalwood is indeed in India but comes from an endangered plant specie.

Required ingredients or components to make the light and delicate scent of a Japanese incense stick are benzoin, frankincense, star anise, clove, rhubarb, licorice, patchouli, cinnamon and Borneo camphor. These are most of the other basic ingredients for a Japanese incense stick that are quite common in Asia and not as endangered as the first two stated above. All of the ingredients mentioned above has benefits that will help the individual with his or her mental and physical state.

Other ingredients will depend on what the manufacturing company will add. There is also a binding powder that is commonly used to bind the ingredients of a Japanese incense stick. This powder is called makko and is one of the more common ingredients that make up a Japanese incense stick.

Burning Incese

A Japanese incense holder can be a traditional incense burner that looks like a vase or pot with a lid or the more modern plate with a hole where the Japanese incense stick is stuck to and lit. There is actually little difference when it comes to incense burners and holders other than aesthetic value of both. How a person perceives the burner is how it will look to him. Many might prefer the traditional Japanese burner but others also like the more modern one with clean lines and minimalist look.