Hachiya Sōyu 蜂谷宗由
H7 × Dia 7.5 cm
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Kōdō developed alongside the tea ceremony during the Muromachi period as both practices were shaped by the broader philosophy of geidō, the way of art: Geidō emphasized personal cultivation through disciplined aesthetic training. Tea masters often began a tea gathering by burning incense, an act believed to purify the participants and prepare their spirits for the contemplative experience that followed.
Fragrance practices emphasize multi-sensory awareness, spatial refinement, and an understanding of subtlety of objects’ forms. Incense sets the atmosphere before tea is served, guiding participants toward mindfulness during the Japanese tea ceremony. Unlike Western perfumery, Japanese incense focuses on the inherent character and quality of a single natural material.
Fragrance games such as kumikō are incorporated into tea ceremony practice to cultivate the guest’s ability to “listen to the fragrance.” These games use specialized containers called kikikōro (聞香炉) with high walls designed to hold and present the incense, as exemplified by the two following floating tripod sometsuke kikikōro by Hachiya Sōyu 蜂谷宗由. By “listening to the fragrance,” practitioners shift their consciousness into a realm shaped by the aromatics being presented. This process prepares the mind to enter the environment of the tea room.