Incense Sticks - Jinsui Seikan - Agarwood

A single bundle of Jinsui Seikan (沈水 清閑), an agarwood incense from Gyokushodo (玉初堂) of Osaka, in its paper wrapper with a blue and gold wave band. Jinsui (沈水), sinking in water, is an old name for agarwood, whose resinous wood is heavy enough to sink; seikan (清閑) means quiet leisure.

The blend is built on agarwood, jinsui kōboku, with Indian sandalwood, spikenard and borneol. Gyokushodo describes it as sweet, with a fresh, watery edge, finished to feel clean and understated.

To use, light the tip, wave out the flame and stand the stick upright in an incense holder or a bowl of ash or sand. Never leave burning incense unattended.

Specifications:

• Maker: Gyokushodo (玉初堂), Osaka
• Ingredients: tabu bark powder, charcoal powder, agarwood, Indian sandalwood, spikenard, kaikō, borneol, fragrance
• Smoke: low
• Format: one bundle of short sticks in a paper wrapper, as packed in Gyokushodo's gift boxes
• Stick length: 138 mm
• Origin: Made in Japan

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Gyokushodo (玉初堂) opened in 1804 as a general wholesaler in Aki province, today's Hiroshima. Its second head, Sakubei, moved the business to Osaka, and the house began making high-grade incense after learning the methods of making and blending it from Tō Gyokusho (董玉初), an incense maker from Qing China, drawing on its knowledge of Chinese medicinal aromatics. Gyokushodo is still based in Osaka.