Listening to Scent: The Art of Kōdō Comes to Los Angeles

Listening to Scent: The Art of Kōdō Comes to Los Angeles
This March, the Japan-U.S. KODO Initiative invites Los Angeles audiences to experience Kōdō, the traditional Japanese Way of Incense, through Listening to Scent - the art of Kōdō experience -, a series of immersive workshops held at three unique locations across the city.

Rooted alongside the tea ceremony and flower arrangement, Kōdō is a contemplative practice in which participants “listen” to incense - approaching fragrance with focused attention, quiet presence, and care. Rather than passive smelling, Kōdō invites a heightened awareness of scent, time, and perception through guided ritual and shared experience. 


Three Los Angeles Venues
Across all locations, the program introduces the Japanese Way of Incense through guided instruction, a Genjikō incense game inspired by The Tale of Genji, and an immersive installation by artist Mari Inagaki. Each venue offers a distinct setting and perspective on the practice.

The Institute for Art and Olfaction (IAO) - March 7
Presented within a contemporary art context, the IAO session offers an expanded, in-depth experience. Exclusively at this location, participants are invited to engage in a special Monkō (listening to incense) practice, a rare and deeply focused ritual at the heart of Kōdō. This presentation emphasizes sensory awareness and contemplative listening through both ritual and installation.

Tortoise General Store (TGS) - March 11, 12, and 13
Hosted at Tortoise General Store, the workshop is experienced within an intimate retail environment dedicated to Japanese craft and everyday objects. This setting highlights Kōdō as a living cultural practice - one that exists alongside design, material culture, and daily life.

Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) - March 8, 14 and 15
Presented at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, the program situates Kōdō within a broader cultural and historical framework. The JACCC sessions emphasize tradition, literature, and cultural continuity, offering a community-centered context for engaging with the art of incense.

(Program length and components vary slightly by venue.)

Tickets & More Information
Tickets are required and availability is limited. For full schedules, pricing, and venue-specific details, please visit the page below.

Get tickets and learn more:
https://www.kodous.org/ 

Whether you’re new to Kōdō or curious about sensory-based art and mindfulness, Listening to Scent offers a rare opportunity to engage with a centuries-old practice in a contemporary Los Angeles context.