We began the year with this popular annual workshop and two new formulations for the Year of the Fire Horse - Jijū 侍従 and Aouma 白馬.
During this 90-minute, hands-on workshop, guests learn about the history, materials, and preparation of nerikō, as well as the significance of the two blends selected for the current year.
Since the Heian period (794-1192), fragrant powdered ingredients were mixed with honey or plum flesh and kneaded into round pastilles that are now known as nerikō. This form of incense is indirectly heated rather than burned to release aroma and offers complex fragrances that were originally used to scent clothing and purify living spaces.
With this context in mind, guests then have the opportunity to get their hands dirty blending and rolling their own incense. Participants left with samples of each of the two blends to enjoy at home.