Ceremonies
of Life
of Life
Ceremonies of Life: From Birth to Longevity with Incense
It is said that when a person enters this world, they do so with an abundance of joy. Birth marks the beginning of a new life and serves as a significant milestone for all those who support and cherish it. In truth, every single day marks someone’s birthday. What may seem like an ordinary day to you is, for another, a moment of profound celebration. In essence, each day carries the essence of festivity. Therefore, let us not only cherish our own existence but wholeheartedly celebrate the birth of those around us, embracing the beauty of life itself.
The moment of birth is profoundly mystical, beyond what words can fully express. How many times have you witnessed or personally experienced the birth of life? Many people might answer, "not very often." This highlights how rare it is in one’s lifetime to be present for such a profound event.
If you have never witnessed the birth of life or experienced it firsthand, look forward to the possibility of such a moment in your future. Celebrate yourself in anticipation of that experience—because after all, you, too, were once born into this world.
As mentioned in previous discussions on the theme of prayer, the act of blessing is a deeply sacred gesture. The moment life comes into existence on this Earth is profoundly meaningful, and it is only natural to welcome it with blessings. This act of blessing is a universal ceremony, carried out by those who came into this world earlier, wishing for the happiness of all.
Each person has their own way of offering blessings. No matter the method, does incense play a role in yours?
For those who do use incense, what kind of prayers do you infuse into its fragrance? They are filled with beautiful sentiments, perfectly suited for a blessing. And if you have never used incense before, why not give it a try?
Incense carries invisible thoughts and prayers, delivering them through its scent and rising smoke. Choose one that aligns with your blessing ritual or tradition, and at the right moment, let its fragrance fill the space. Planning a new way to celebrate can also be a joyful experience. We offer a wide variety of incense, so you will surely find one that resonates with you. May you fully embrace and cherish the precious moment of life’s birth.
As a note, giving incense as a gift for a baby’s birth is a wonderful idea to support the mother’s relaxation and create a pleasant atmosphere. However, since the environment includes a baby, it is important to avoid strong scents or ingredients that may be stimulating, and instead choose a gentle, natural fragrance.
In Japan, the concept of Gaju (賀寿) represents a tradition of celebrating longevity and honoring those who have lived a long life. Historically, since life expectancy was shorter than it is today, these celebrations carry deep respect and blessings for those who have lived to an advanced age. It is a time to rejoice in the individual’s progress, express gratitude for their safety, and celebrate the preciousness of life itself. Thus, Gaju not only honors the years lived but also celebrates the wisdom, challenges, and triumphs that come with each stage of life.
If you know someone who has lived a long life, take the opportunity to celebrate them with pure and heartfelt gratitude. Honoring their years with a genuine gesture of respect is a meaningful way to acknowledge their journey and the wisdom they bring to the world.
60s and 70s
The Gaju celebration begins at 60 years old. This might be a bit of a niche topic, but in Japan, there is a way of counting days using both the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle (十二支) and the 10 day cycle of the Heavenly Stems (十干). Both of these cycles complete a full cycle every 60 years, meaning that by the time a person turns 60, they return to the same zodiac sign and Heavenly Stem as when they were born. This signifies the completion of a full cycle, hence the meaning of Kanreki (還暦)—"the time has come full circle."
At 60, or Kanreki, the celebratory color is red, which symbolizes luck. When a person turns 70, the celebratory color changes to purple. This milestone, called Koki (古希), reflects the rarity of reaching this age in the past, as it was once uncommon.
80s, 90s, and a hundred years old
When a person turns 80, the celebratory color becomes gold, in which the milestone is called Sanju (傘寿). The number 8 symbolizes eternity and infinity, resembling the symbol for infinity (∞) when turned vertically, which is quite a mysterious and powerful number.
At 90, the dress code is purple, gold, or white depending on the region, symbolizing purity and wisdom. The milestone is called Sotsuju (卒寿). For 99, the celebration acknowledges that the person is just one year away from reaching 100 years called Hakuju (白寿) a significant achievement.
And finally, at 100, the milestone is met with great joy and celebration, referred to as Hyakuju (百寿). The dress code is white, symbolizing the culmination of a century of life.
For these longevity celebrations, specific colors are associated with each milestone age. Choose incense that matches these colors to enhance the celebration, or alternatively, select a fragrance that the birthday person enjoys, creating a meaningful and personalized atmosphere for the occasion.
Life takes many forms, and the ways of celebrating it are unique to each individual. Let us embrace and appreciate the important milestones of our own lives and those of others in our own meaningful way.
Funeral (Buddhist)
From the moment all living beings are born into this world, they begin a journey toward the inevitability of death. Death is the time when each of us, having been given a single body for this lifetime, uses it to its fullest and finally bids it farewell. Parting can often be an incredibly painful experience. Yet a funeral is a ceremony of profound respect and gratitude — a final, heartfelt tribute to the soul and body that have completed a remarkable life’s journey.
In a traditional Japanese funeral, there is a deep, prayer-like sentiment — a heartfelt wish to honor and reflect on the life of the departed, to pay respect, and to gently guide their soul to a place of eternal peace. The burning of incense is a common practice, but what is its deeper significance? The fragrance of incense is believed to have protective and purifying qualities. It carries the wish that the cleansed and purified soul of the departed may be free from any malevolent influence and find peaceful rest. At the same time, the incense serves to protect those attending the ceremony, keeping them safe from negative energies.
Furthermore, the rising smoke of the incense is said to act as a guide — a gentle beacon — helping the soul that has left its physical body find its way to the heavens without losing its way.
In Japan, the remembrance of the deceased continues long after the funeral, through memorial services held on significant anniversaries such as the first year (Is-shūki), the third year (San kaiki), the seventh year (Shichi-kaiki), and beyond. These ceremonies honor the memory of the departed, offering prayers and reflections on their life.
Incense has become deeply woven into people’s lives across various regions and cultures. In traditional ceremonies, its use goes beyond the simple enjoyment of fragrance — it embodies the wisdom and prayers of those who came before us, taking shape as a tool for protection, purification, and guidance. It is this profound meaning, rooted in ancient beliefs and hopes that has allowed the practice of burning incense to endure through the ages and remain an essential part of spiritual and cultural rituals even today.
Wedding
While it may be rare for incense to be used in traditional wedding ceremonies, weddings have indeed evolved in recent years, becoming much more casual and personalized. The inclusion of incense could offer a symbolic touch, adding a sense of peace, blessings, spiritual connection, purification, and protection to a significant occasion.
Many are familiar with smudging rituals. For example, the popular white sage is known for its powerful purifying effects, believed to cleanse away past negativity and bring about a fresh, clean slate. Additionally, Palo Santo and Juniper are said to attract fairies with their rich aroma, bringing good fortune and blessings — making them perfect for celebrating a wedding.
In a traditional Japanese wedding: Before getting married, when visiting your partners parents for a formal introduction—
The fact that your loved one was born into this world and that the two of you were able to meet is due to the presence of their parents and, ultimately, their ancestors. While it’s important to cherish your parents, it’s equally crucial to show gratitude and respect to the ancestors. Offer a prayer at the family altar, acknowledging and honoring their presence.
When visiting the home of your partner's parents’, take a moment to respectfully ask, "Please allow me to offer my greetings to the ancestors" or "Let me pay my respects at the family altar." At this time, offer incense to the altar. Even if the home does not have an altar, visit the graves of your partner’s ancestors and offer incense at their family graves. Additionally, if you have the opportunity to visit your own family home, it would be a thoughtful gesture to bring incense as a gift for the ancestors. The incense is primarily a gift, but the main purpose is to offer your respects to the ancestors. Therefore, be sure to bring it with the intention of greeting and honoring your ancestors. Offering incense to ancestors on both sides and bringing happiness to them can be considered an essential ritual for the couple as they prepare for their joyous day.
The Power of Celebratory Holidays
With lifestyle diversity today, many people might continue their routine regardless of holidays. How holidays are spent can also vary greatly depending on region, culture, and tradition. However, holidays generally carry a deeper meaning — it is a time to reflect on people, events, express gratitude, and show respect.
It's also important to understand what kind of holiday it is. Taking a moment to reflect, express gratitude, or embrace the spirit of celebration can be meaningful. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to prepare an extravagant meal or buy something special— simply taking a little time during the day to focus on the occasion is enough, and it's something anyone can easily do.
Celebrating with many people is certainly one key aspect of the holiday experience. Coming together in one place to share joy with others generates a powerful energy. This collective celebration can create a sense of connection and positivity, allowing that energy to return to you in a meaningful way.
Capture this exciting, beautiful energy in incense or candles and share it with even more people. The light and fragrance of incense and candles can absorb this vibrant energy, transforming it into scent that carry the positive vibes. If we can spend holidays filled with happiness, the wave of joy will spread across the world, touching everyone it encounters.
Incense serves as a vessel for one’s message, making it profoundly suited for sacred ceremonies. Its fragrance lingers only briefly before dissolving into the air, while its delicate tendrils of smoke drift beyond sight, vanishing into the unseen. This is because they transcend the limits of our five senses—yet in reality, they continue their journey, carrying with them the essence of our thoughts and emotions.
Nevertheless, just by noticing the joyful energy of this celebration nearby, even your ordinary day will be enveloped in a wave of happiness. Giving incense is symbolic of sending happiness, as the word "香 ko" (incense) sounds like "幸 ko" (happiness), and since ancient times, offering and burning incense has been an important tradition in celebrations.