Start the New Year with the New You
Kaori-zome (香初め) is a term in Japanese that describes the practice of burning incense at home on New Year’s Day to wish a happy year for your family. It is believed that burning incense helps purify the air and allows good luck into the home to have a fresh start of the year. Many people in Japan also believe in using engimono (縁起物), an object that brings good luck. For burning incense on New Year’s Day, a high-quality incense such as Kyara and premium sandalwood are used as engimono along with using incense burners or holders of the zodiac of that year (Rabbit for 2023).
Suggested incense for the New Year’s:
Woody Incense
Kyara Taikan – Premium Aloeswood (45 short sticks- approx. 13 minutes)
★★★★★
Customer Review on 3/24/2018
“Superior Quality! I enjoyed this a lot and even though I’m no aloeswood expert, I can tell this is very high quality. All in the series are great quality. Very good value for the price. The packaging is always a part of the experience for me. It is the impressive Japanese style and the artful treat that I’ve come to expect. ” -Edmin
Mainichi Byakudan – Premium Sandalwood (60 short sticks- approx. 13 minutes)
★★★★★
Customer Review on 7/29/22
“Mainichi Byakudan is a most exquisite sandalwood. The scent is spicy, woody, and perfectly sweet and creates a tranquil and welcoming ambience. Many of my guests have remarked upon the “delightful fragrance” and have asked where they might obtain some for their own use. It is my pleasure to refer them to Nippon Kodo. “ –Gary
UME KOMON – Premium Sandalwood (45 short sticks)
A refreshing and sweet floral sandalwood that is suitable for greeting guests as well as simply refreshing your mind.
KYARA KIKU BOTAN – Premium Aloeswood (45 short sticks)
Experience a dignified and refreshing sweetness, spiciness, and acidity of aloeswood.
Floral Incense
Also for the New Year, engimono incense include Plum, Narcissus, and Chrysanthemum.
Plums bloom in cold winter which symbolizes hope. The flower also has a meaning of purity and integrity. The white and red (pink) colors of the flower are also loved by the people in Japan as they are the country’s traditional color combination.
 KAYURAGI - Plum |
 SCENTSCAPE - Ume Blossoms |
 YUME-NO-YUME - Pink Plum Flower |
Narcissus bloom beautifully with gentle scent in cold winter that symbolizes the coming of the next season, spring.
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KAYURAGI - Narcissus 40 sticks |
Chrysanthemum symbolizes longevity since it was used in herbal medicine in ancient China. Chrysanthemum is also one of the traditional flowers of Japan.
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Suggested incense holders & burners for the New Year’s:
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Other Ways to Purify Your Space: Smudging
Rooting from the Native American and Indigenous cultures, smudging has become a popular way to purify negative energy in your home and brining in positive energy no matter what the time of the year it is. Check out the article on “How to Smudge” and also see what we offer to start your smudging process: Positive Energy Set, Smudge Set, Abalone Shell with Wooden Stand, and more. Why not try smudging for at the start of the New Year?
Not Just for New Year’s?
It makes a significant difference spiritually when you practice burning incense or smudging at your milestones in life too. Make it a routine every time new events happen in your life such as graduating from school, starting a new job, moving into a new home, welcoming a new family, and more.
No matter what the occasion is, we hope that our incense brings comfort, joy, and enlightenment whether you use solo or share with your loved ones. We wish you all happiness and good luck for the New Year. Spread the fragrant life style!
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