Nerikō (“Kneaded” Incense) Making Workshop 練香作り体験
Since the Heian period (794-1192), fragrant powdered ingredients were mixed with honey or plum flesh and kneaded into round pastilles know as nerikō.
The Plum Tree Branch (Umegae), Illustration to Chapter 32 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari).
Artist: Tosa Mitsunobu, Japanese (active c. 1469-1522)
This form of incense is indirectly heated rather than burned to release aroma - ideal for individuals sensitive to smoke.
In February, we had the pleasure of hosting three hands-on, nerikō-making workshops. Guests had the opportunity to learn about the significance of nerikō and its use throughout Japanese history before getting their hands dirty blending and rolling their own incense to take home. Each participant made one of three specially formulated recipes crafted by the Senzan Goryū school of kōdō (incense ceremony) in Kyoto, Japan: Baika 梅花 (Plum Blossom), Kurobō 黒方 (Black One), or Zuiun 瑞雲 (Auspicious Clouds). In addition to their lovely aroma, each incense blend is associated with its own historic and symbolic significance. Our wonderful community, being generous and curious of spirit, was keen to share, so each guest ended up taking home samples of all three blends in the end!
This was a popular workshop that sold out incredibly quickly. We thank all who attended for their enthusiasm and encourage those who may not yet be on our mailing list to consider signing up to receive notice of future programs. We plan to hold these nerikō-making workshops annually as we receive a new set of historic and custom blends from the Senzan Goryū school of kōdō at the beginning of each year.
We gratefully acknowledge support from the Community Fund of the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society.