Gendan. The character means dark. It is the same wood, further in.
Cold, the stick smells dry and resinous. Lit, it opens with spice and turns sweet as it burns — closer to vanilla than to a temple. People are often caught out by the second half, so light one before you decide what you think of it.
Made on Awaji, the island that produces most of Japan's incense. The blend is composed and overseen by a koshi, a certified incense blender, and the sticks are made by hand.
No bamboo core. A coreless stick burns down to nothing, so there is no core smell underneath the scent and very little smoke. It is a small difference until you go back to the other kind.
You will need something to stand it in. The ash falls straight down.
What is included
60 sticks, coreless. Each stick burns for 25 to 30 minutes.The holder in these photographs is not included.
How to burn it
Light the tip, let the flame catch, then blow it out. It should glow, not burn.
Stand it upright in a holder with ash or sand, or lay it flat on a ceramic plate — a coreless stick can be laid down without leaving a mark.
Never leave it burning unattended, and keep it clear of anything that will catch.
Care
Keep the box closed and out of direct sun. The scent holds for years that way.
