Japanese Incense
Incense use became popular in Japan first through the influence of Buddhism imported from China. This is because Buddhist rituals slowly began to replace Shinto (Japan's indigenous religion) rituals that were part of state functions and imperial court ceremony. By the end of the Muromachi period (1336-1573) in Japan, "listening to incense" became an established art form called Koh-do. Japanese incense as you would expect has a very refined character producing light wispy almost smokeless scents, whilst supplying a big olfactory hit!
