24-5 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0031 Tel: 03-5456-8082 Fax: 03-5456-8388 Mail: [email protected] Newsletter Vol. 13 Autumn 2018 http://www.japancivilization.org/

On 28th August 2018, a special lecture under the theme, “Making full use of the five senses—What is traditional Japanese scent and sound?” took place for the 13th Symposium of the Japanese Civilization Institute. Mr. Hachiya Isshiken Souhitsu, 21st successor and head of Shino School of Kodo, gave a lecture on Kodo (traditional -smelling ceremony), describing its content as well as its history—both its past and its future. After the lecture, crystal ball player Ms. Asami Ishizuka gave a demonstration on the crystal ball which sound is said to be close to the sounds of the Gion Shoja bells of “The Tale of the Heike.” As always, Naoki Inose, director of the Japanese Civilization Institute moderated the lecture. The lecture provided us with the opportunity to learn about our modern world, while learning about the Japanese culture. (Reprinted from “Shukan Dokushojin,” 16th November, 2018, No. 3264 & Web Dokushojin)

A Report on Our 13th Symposium torical facts on the fight over aromat­ ic wood between the Hosokawa and Making full use of Date family. Hosokawa Sansai orders the five senses his vassals Okitsu Yagoemon and —What is traditional Japanese scent and sound?— Yokota Seibee to travel to Nagasaki and bring him something rare that is suitable for a tea ceremony. The two Asami Ishizuka, Hachiya Isshiken Souhitsu vs. try and obtain top quality eaglewood, Crystalist Asami but fragrant wood is very expensive. Modulator Naoki Inose Therefore, Yokota insists that they choose the branch, which is inferior compared to the trunk. But Okitsu World’s culture of The book, which was written in the insists that they follow their master’s Taisho Era (1912-1926), includes orders and he ends up killing Yokota incense detailed descriptions on scent and after a dispute. As a result, the sound which is starting to lose its Hosokawa family obtains the trunk Inose: “Meiji Taisho-shi: seso-hen” presence amid today’s modernized while the Date family obtains the (History of Meiji and Taisho Eras: world. branch. But in fact, this historical The Phases of People’s Life) is a Kodo (traditional incense artistry) fragrant tree was something that was book written by Yanagida Kunio, is something uniquely Japanese. passed down generations in Mr. which I was fond of in my youth. In Scent is something that we normally Hachiya’s family. it there is a passage that comments “smell,” but in Kodo, we use the term Today, we would like to have Mr. on scent; hiking guides of the Japa­ “listen.” Hachiya explain to us what Kodo nese Alps realize whether people Mori Ogai’s “Okitsu Yagoemon no truly is. have already entered the mountains isho” (The Last Testament of Okitsu or not simply by the scent in the air. Yagoemon) is a novel based on his­ Hachiya: My father is the iemoto

About the group Address: 24-5 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0031 Designed by artisancompany Japanese Civilization Institute Tel :03-5456-8082 Fax:03-5456-8388 Established in August 2015 Website: http://www.japancivilization.org/ why we listen to the scent every It is act of placing a charcoal-ball single day. in an incense burner and covering it Now, I would like to go way back up with ash. Then you shape the ash in time to the primitive times when into a cone and place small mica we found a fire. In those days like flakes called ginyo on the summit of animals, the five senses were import­ the cone and add a chip of fragrant ant for humans too. In the modern wood. It is important that the hai- world today, it is said that our eyes temae looks beautiful, but equally and ears are most important, but in important is the heat of the charcoal- those days when humans lived with ball. The scent will become different nature, whether you live or died if the cone shape is 1mm high or low. greatly depended on the sense of Hai-temae requires extremely Naoki Inose smell because you needed to distin­ delicate artistry. guish enemies from allies and poison (the family head) of Shino School of from food. Kodo uniquely Kodo, and I am the eldest son, In fact, the culture of scent existed which is practically where my life all around the world for a long time Japanese is begins. I now practice every day with ago. For example, there are pictures founded a strong sense of responsibility to of Cleopatra having slaves burn carry on the culture of Kodo and incense for her in ancient Egypt. Hachiya: This is a great opportunity pass it down generations. Similarly, the kanji “ko” (香) is so I would like all of you here today During the (1603- inscribed in the ancient Chinese hi­ to actually listen to fragrant wood. 1868), local feudal lords from Nanbu eroglyphic characters left on bones Formally, we would avoid the front regions (Aomori Prefecture today) to and tortoise carapaces, which are side of the incense burner and show Bungo-no Kuni (Oita Prefecture said to be the oldest kanji. gratitude to nature before we listen today) all enjoyed Kodo. The nearest Meanwhile, in the New Testa­ to the scent. But today, we’re not from here would be Edo-Jo Castle, ment, three kings from the Orient going to worry about manners. where the servants of women of the bring gifts when Jesus is born. One is We’re just going to enjoy the fra­ inner castle all enjoyed Kodo of gold and the other two are frankin­ grance. You hold the incense burner Shino School. at the time cense and myrrh, both of which are firmly with your left hand so as to closed its doors to the outside world, essences. Other words, essences were keep it flat. Then you bring your but many fragrant kinds of wood as important as gold back then. right hand thumb in front of the entered Nagasaki from Dejima, and Mummies of Ancient Egypt is burner and surround the burner samurai families purchased them to referred to as “Mira” in Japanese, with your right hand as if to cover enjoy its odor. In order to enjoy fra­ which is derived from the word the scent and approach it to your grant wood, you need to be aware of Myrrh because mummies use Myrrh nose. Inhale the scent slowly three its intricate manners. Iemoto exists for preservation. From a long time times and listen to the scent. Fra­ to teach these manners and for 500 ago, people thought that smoke that grant wood is also medicine, so if years it has passed down these man­ rose up in the sky, bound humans to you take it into your body slowly it ners without changing it. heaven. Even today, incense is will cleanse your body and soul. So how do we practice Kodo…? burned when the Emperor is en­ The culture of Japanese incense We listen to the scent from the bot­ throned in order to inform the Gods. beings in Awaji-shima Island where tom of our hearts. Kodo is passed Also, in Buddhism, when someone fragrant wood drifted ashore. It is down by word of mouth. There are dies, incense sticks are burnt said that it was the 3rd year of Suiko hardly any books written on it. I my­ throughout the night. The incense is Emperor’s reign (595 AD). self learned by watching my grandfa­ said to be food for Buddha, so it Kodo hadn’t begun during the ther and father listen to the scent and mustn’t be extinguished. By the way, 400 years of the Heian Era (794- I simply imitated them. In the end, I in the Lotus Sutra, it is stated that 1185), but aristocrats valued aroma think it is a world in which the fra­ Buddha preached not with words but very much. For example, in “Genji grant wood itself invites you in. You with scent. Monogatari Emaki” (The Tale of need to pursue the “path” of Kodo In these kinds of ways, various Genji Picture Scroll) there is a scene your whole life. To learn about cultures of scent blended in were in which Hikaru Genji has his yourself is also an issue required in modified and finally developed into kimono penetrated with incense. order to understand Kodo, which is a mannerism known as “hai-temae.” There was a fragrance recipe for each

2 served Ashikaga Yoshimasa and the woman he loved. This woman founded Kodo. Since then, it has was Ayame Gozen (Lady Iris) a beau­ been passed down 20 generations tiful woman who stood beside until my father, without changing its Emperor Toba. Although Emperor artistry. Toba said he could have whatever he Ginkakuji is in Kyoto, and the wanted, he plays with him a little by room in which the Shino school having 4 identical women stand side began still remains after numerous by side and have Yorimasa pick the reconstructions. Today, there are right woman. classes of Shino School in Ginza and Harajuku, but every artistry is done Inose: At the time, the rooms were according to the layout of Ginkakuji. dark and men and women never met Hachiya Isshiken Souhitsu Every mannerism including the each other in broad daylight, so it walking stride, the number of strides, was difficult to pick out the right nobleman and they penetrated their and hand movement was decided at woman. original scent in their kimono, hair, Ginkakuji and it has been passed letter, and their living environment. down and polished for 500 years. Hachiya: Lacking confidence, Aromatic wood was valuable back The philosophy of Yin and Yang Yorimasa decides to answer the ques­ then let alone today, so it was a status are included in the shape of the ash tion in a form of waka (Japanese only available to people of the class of Shino School’s incense burner. poem): “Samidare-ni Sawabe-no who were able to obtain it and had Other words, it means space exists in Makomono Mizu-mashite Itsure the education to understand it. this small incense burner. At the Ayame-to Hikisowatsurau,” meaning Later on in the Kamakura Era (1185- summit of the mountain, incense because of the heavy rain, water has 1333), Zen entered Japan. At the blessed by nature is placed. We call risen and it has become hard to pick basis of every Japanese culture, lies this “Monko” (聞香). This discourse out the iris from the plants. He im­ the spirit of Zen. Each iemoto suc­ is not only captured by the sense of provised the poem, blending his feel­ cessor of the Shino school, place smell which we use every day, but ings with the outside view. Accom­ themselves in a Zen temple. I myself also by nature, space, and the soul. In plishments are a friend indeed for trained at a Zen temple for a year in China, the kanji “聞” means to feel Toba Emperor was deeply moved by my mid-twenties. with the five senses, but if you truly the poem and Yorimasa was able to spend some time practicing Kodo, be with Ayame Gozen. There are For samurais during the Kama­ you soon start to receive messages many games rooted in episodes like kura Era, aromatic wood was used to from the aromatic wood and the this in Kodo. You need to under­ expel impurities. If you listen to natural world. stand spirituality and literature to incense you’ll realize that it relaxes So, what exactly do we do in understand Kodo, so you not only your soul. I think samurais took aro­ Kodo? In regular classes, we do learn its artistry but also old Japanese matic wood to battles and listened to kumiko—a game to pick the right literature such as “Kokinshu” (Collec­ it to sooth their exhausted souls and incense. tion of Japanese Poetry, Ancient and used it to compare their lives to the Modern) and “Genji Monogatari” impermanent fragrance of the wood. Inose: So, you’re saying there is an (The Tale of Genji). If I may add another element that essence of play included in the pro­ constitutes Kodo that is typically cedure of pursuing Kodo? I heard Kodo—past and Japanese, that would be the Japanese that the episode of samurai Mina­ climate. Japan is an island that has moto no Yorimasa, who conquered a present continuously been attacked by ty­ Nue (fabulous animal) was made phoons, earthquakes, and tsunami. into a game of Kodo. Hachiya: I’m sure you are all aware That sense of life and death and the of the many aromas that is available changing seasons blended in and Hachiya: Yes, it’s a kumi-kodo (in­ around the world. There are spices made the path to pursue the faint cense comparing game) called that you use for cooking for example fragrance of Kodo, which was found­ “Ayame-ko” (iris incense). like , and star anise. ed in the Muromachi Era (1333- Emperor Toba was extremely Musk is a famous animal aroma. It is 1573). happy that Yorimasa conquered the obtained from a small caudal gland It was first founded in Gingakuji. monster Nue and insisted that he be of the male musk deer. Its scent is The first iemoto, Soushin Shino rewarded. Yorimasa asks to be with extremely strong and can attract a fe­

3 (right to left) “hai-temae ” To place a charcoal-ball in an incense burner and cover it up with ash. Then to shape the ash into a cone and place small mica flakes called ginyo on the summit of the cone and add a chip of fragrant wood.

male deer a few dozens of kilometers wine brands such as Bordeaux, Bur­ box. Its temperature and humidity away. Also, ambergris, which is a cal­ gundy, and Champagne. Before, clas­ are severely controlled. By doing so, culus created in a whale’s intestines is sification used to be done according the scent is maintained for 500 to very rare. In China, these are all to where it was produced, but recent­ 1,000 years. Through its scent, Chinese medicine. There’s also ly the iemoto does it by inhaling it. people are able to make discourse kyara. In the Shino School, we don’t He listens to the scent again and with samurais, noblemen, and Em­ use Sandalwood. Also, there’s Aloe again for about a year and classifies perors of the past. wood. The highest quality of Aloe kyara, rakoku…and so forth. wood is kyara. Other than land, aromatic wood Aromatic wood is not available in also has its tastes, often two to three Japan. The nearest country that we kinds of taste per wood. can find it is Vietnam, followed by Lastly, when the countries and Laos, Cambodia, and . tastes are classified, names are applied Recently, there are some found in to each aromatic wood. A season Papua New Guinea. In India, there might be picked from the scent or a are no Aloe wood or kyara, only landscape that comes into mind. Or Sandalwood. There is no aromatic maybe a perfect poem from “Kokin- wood in Africa either. Aromatic shu” or “Shin Kokinshu” might be wood traveled the land and crossed applied. Of course, the fragrance and the seas and came into Japan. The name must be perfect for each other. stop in the middle was Hong Kong. It is a difficult task. Hong Kong was the center for was a collector aromatic wood. Maybe the name of aromatic wood. He sent direct Hong Kong (香港) — meaning purchase orders to countries where Inose: Mr. Hachiya showed me a “aroma port”—was named because they produced the wood and import­ range of aromatic wood at his place. the port smelled so good! ed them on shogunate-licensed Is aromatic wood a result of bacteria There’s a classifying system called trading ships. Before he retired to entering the tree, causing a chemical “rokkoku gomi” (six countries five Sunpu (Shizuoka Prefecture today), change close to a catabolism? tastes) for aromatic wood. The coun­ he shared the wood to the gosanke tries are kyara (Vietnam), rakoku (the big three branch families of the Hachiya: If it were human, I guess it (Thailand), manaka (, Tokugawa house); Mito, Owari, and would be a disease. ), manaban (unknown), Kii. There is an aromatic wood that Inose: Chemical change is happen­ sasora (India), and sumondara is 3,000 to 4,000 years old preserved ing on one side of the tree, but not (Sumatra, Indonesia), while the in Owari of the Tokugawa family, on the other side. Other words, scents are bitter, sweet, salty, hot and which my grandfather gave an expert there are parts where the scent is fine sour. Aromatic wood smells differ­ opinion on in 1934. and not fine, so the value of the ently according to where it was Aromatic wood is wrapped in a trunk and branch becomes com­ produced. The six countries are like bamboo sheet, placed in a wooden pletely different. In fact, this detail

4 was mentioned in one of Mori Ou­ making it my responsibility to move gai’s books. back to Kyoto, because I think it’s natural that we place ourselves in Hachiya: When a branch is bent by our roots. When I mentioned that to natural cause, the tree gathers resin Mr. Tokugawa, he disciplined me to the inside part where it’s wound, with the words, “Because of whom, to prevent it from being eaten by do you exist!” insects or bacteria, like a scab. When the wound is surrounded by resin The scent of aromatic wood, and hardened, the inner parts fossil­ “Ichiboku Sanmeikou,” which Mr. izes and if it goes well, an aromatic Inose mentioned in the beginning, is wood is made. so good that people fought over it. The aromatic tree is a presence on its third person to cut a portion of the Inose: For example, what kind of own, so normally it shouldn’t be tree in the 1800s was the Meiji words would describe the scent of split. But once it was cut, which Emperor. kyara? even resulted in a seppuku (hara- Shosoin is in Todaiji. If you look kiri) incident. The portion which at the kanji of Ranjatai (蘭奢待) Hachiya: In our world, we refer to it the Hosokawa family achieved is carefully, you’ll be recognized that as, “like a noble courtier” because of “Shiragiku,” the Date family ob­ Todaiji (東大寺) is hidden inside it. its flamboyant scent. There are many tained “Shiba Fune,” the Maeda fam­ A sense of humor is included in this words to describe the wood like ily or Kobori Enshu took “Hatsune” so-called “hidden characters.” samurai, farmer or priest depending and the part called “Fujibakama” was on the type of wood. Among them, presented to the Imperial court. The are expressions that are not heard so four portions are also known as “Ichi­ Gratitude to nature often today. For example, the scent moku Shimei.” This kind of aromatic and issues of Kodo of the aromatic tree Manaka is said wood with a history still exists. to be “Onna-no uchi uramitaruga Also, there is the most famous gotoshi,” meaning it’s like a smell of aromatic wood in our world called Hachiya: There is a woman iemoto women’s bitterness. “Ranjatai,” which is a tree of 1.5 who existed in the past. Normally, meters withheld inside Shosoin of the artistry is handed down from the Inose: It’s an expression that reflects Nara. It is a very old tree that has father to his son, but the 17th iemoto the human soul. been preserved preciously from the is a woman named Momoe. By the way, your home, which is days of Shomu Emperor. It is said Customarily, it is the role of the ie­ also the home of the iemoto of the that 3 people have cut the tree moto to burn incense in temples and Shino School is in Nagoya. Why is it during its very long history; one per­ shrines for God and Buddha. The not in Kyoto where Ashikaga Yoshi­ son in the 1400s, another in the artistry is different for God and masa started the artistry? 1500s and another in the 1800s. The Buddha. first person to cut the tree was Ashi­ On the occasion of burning in­ Hachiya: The house in Kyoto was kaga Yoshimasa who cut the right cense at Kamigamo Shrine and other burnt in war at the end of the Edo section. He is the shogun who was shrines, a sheet of paper is placed Period during the times of the 15th present at the time when Kodo was between the lips, so as not to breath iemoto. founded. The next person cut the air to towards God. Iemoto burn tree on the beam. This person incense wearing special clothes called Inose: You’re referring to the Hama­ wanted a portion of the tree himself dobuku, and they use special tools guri Gomon-no Hen, right? It to show his strength to the people… and manners. This manner is a destroyed 60% for Kyoto. So, the yes, it was Oda Nobunaga. The ie­ secret, which only my father knows. house of the Shino School was burnt moto of the Shino School was with I will be taught when the time as well. him at the time and was able to comes. secure a section for himself too. It When you become a pupil of the Hachiya: It must’ve been a lovely seems this valuable portion has been Shino School, the iemoto initiates smell! The Owari family of Toku­ passed down generations at the Shino you. You go up the ranks while re­ gawa helped us out when we were School, but I’m not told about its ceiving certificates called “kyojo.” lost, and the 15th iemoto moved to whereabouts. A part of it was pre­ There are 8 teachings in the Shino Nagoya. As the 21st iemoto, I’m sented to the Tokugawa family. The School, which leads to a full master­

5 ship at the very end. You cannot 0 points, or 1 points. You are award­ one kumi-ko (matching incense) we acquire a full mastership until you ed a “kanae” (叶) –meaning dreams do at the Shino School. reach the age of 70. fulfilled—if you get all 3 correct. In There are also various types of The artistry of the Shino School is order to understand Kodo, you have tools for appreciating Kodo. For very intricate. You cannot alter to have knowledge in calligraphy, as example, fusego is a basket over anything, not even a single inch. We well as literature and Chinese poem. which clothes are put and placed have spent 500 years developing a It takes time, but practice is fun. over an incense burner. There is also beautiful, single artistry. The pupils There is also “Genji ko,” a kumi-ko ko-dansu, an incense box to put all practice every day in order to acquire (matching incense) contest that uses your precious aromatic wood inside that perfect artistry. It’s wrong to 52 out of the 54 scrolls of The Tale and ko-makura, a pillow in which move like a robot. You have to put of Genji. The ones we do not use is you can place incense inside—a your heart in it, or else the aromatic “Kiritsubo” and “Yumeno ukihashi.” crucial item to lure present dreams. wood will notice. Aroma produced The rule is to guess the difference of Meanwhile, jushu kobako is an without feelings does not smell good. the incense burner that is brought to elaborately crafted container that can The artistry is important, but at the you five times in a row. For example, hold all your Kodo tools. It is said end of the day, Kodo is not about after listening to five different that if someone who is new to the technique. People communicate by burners and you think the first and container takes something out, they the soul. That vibration is also cap­ the second incense are the same but will never be able to place it back tured by aromatic wood. others are different, the answer is again. Also, there is something close There are also several games in “Karasemi.” Whereas, if you think it’s to a board game like sugoroku, Kodo. For example, there’s “Sho Chi­ all different it’s “Hahakigi” or the which is used for Kodo games. A ku Bai ko” (pine, bamboo, and plum first burner different but the rest the horse proceeds if you guess the right incense), a game where you memo­ same it’s “Suetsumuhana.” Like this, scent but is thrown off a horse if you rize 3 aromas and guess its order. You 52 different types of incense guessing make a near miss. There are manners gain points by how well you do, like are formed with five burners. It is you have to follow for each Kodo

6 tool. When you level up, you learn to tie 1,000 trees, not all of them will cranes and tortoises not to mention become aromatic trees. The rest is up Inose: I often see the image of peo­ dragonflies when you reach the stage to nature. My children or my grand­ ple in the Heian Era having incense of a master. children might use them long after penetrated in their kimono sleeves. There are multiple schools for my father and myself have gone. I How does that work? sado (Japanese tea). It is said that mentioned earlier on that it was im­ there are about 100,000 members in possible to grow aromatic wood, but Hachiya: There are tools called each school. There are even more recently there are people who are sodekoro (sleeves incense burner) and people practicing kado (Japanese trying. Human technology is show­ marikoro (ball incense burner). It is flower arrangement). If you compare ing rapid progress. Chinese business­ about the size of a baseball and is a Kodo with sado and kado, you’ll men are trying to produce aromatic gyroscope that stays flat no matter realize that Kodo has limits to its wood in 10 years, while it normally how much you roll it around. If you materials. Both flowers and tea are takes 100 years. It won’t become a put coal and incense inside, it pro­ available in Japan. You can grow business if it took 100 years, see? duces aroma every time the wind them, cultivate them and harvest Aromatic wood is cultivated at blows. The scent is completely dif­ them every year. But with Kodo, you Hainan Island and Guangdong ferent from that of perfume. Tech­ can do none of these. The materials Province and sold in Beijing. I took niques such as these were passed are not available in Japan, and part in a competitive exhibition the down from the Silk Road. Apparent­ basically, you cannot grow it in other day, but an artificial fist-sized ly, Kodo picked it up and made it its Japan. Moreover, it also takes about aromatic wood was sold at approxi­ own. 100 years to grow. There are only mately 300 million yen. Basically, Do you know Chidori-no-koro (an two schools for Kodo and our school there is no culture for China to listen incense burner shaped like a plover)? has members of roughly 2,000 to to scents. Instead, it is used for burn­ It is a legendary incense burner that 3,000. The number is larger if you ing, making rosaries and for brewing was passed down to shoguns of the add the people who are yet to as a drink for Chinese medicine. time from Yoshimasa. When it was in become pupils, but I don’t think it I think it is our job to pass down the hands of , reaches 100,000. However, the goal incense not only in Japan, but also Ishikawa Goemon (semi-legendary does not lie in increasing the number around the world. I hope to connect outlaw hero) tries to steal it from of people who practice Kodo. people and countries using incense. him. But the plover cried and For example, I wanted to find out Goemon was caught. Such a tale is Inose: How do you become a pupil how they handled aromatic wood in passed down through generations if you want to start Kodo? the Arabic country Bahrain, so I and this incense burner still exists. went. They place the aromatic wood There’s also the Shino-bukuro Hachiya: There are about 30 classes directly on the coal, so it just created (Shino bag), an original tool of the in Tokyo, approximately 200 around smoke though it was an extremely Shino School. During the practice of the country not to mention a couple expensive aromatic wood. Today, we Kodo, we don’t decorate flowers abroad like Paris and Beijing. Those use tiny pieces of aromatic wood. because its fragrance will get in the who are interested should pay a visit. Also, in Kodo, we must begin by way. Instead, we use strings attached But becoming a pupil is a lifetime appreciating nature. I would like to to the bags and tie it into shapes of engagement so you cannot become a visit Bahrain again someday, in order flowers of the season to add color. pupil after just coming to the class a to inform them about this. There are 12 ways to tie the strings couple of times. If you ask to be­ Recently, I’ve started visiting kin­ according to the month of the year come a pupil and are accepted, you dergartens too. The scent of the city and season; plum, cherry blossom, have to dedicate your life to pursue is mechanical and lifeless. There are wisteria, hollyhock, iris, lotus, the path of Kodo with the iemoto. too many chemical substances. The morning glory, Chinese bellflower, You cannot quit halfway through. smell of fabric softeners has become chrysanthemum, autumn leaves, Aromatic wood is becoming rare strong, don’t you think? Natural narcissus, snow-covered bamboo leaf. today, for people have exhausted it fragrance is very expensive, so it is The method of tying these string and even people of China and Arabic impossible to use only natural designs has been passed by word of countries are after it today. If aromat­ fragrance, but I hope children expe­ mouth for 500 years. There are no ic trees are gone altogether, Kodo will rience natural fragrances as much as books that illustrate the instructions. not last so my father planted trees in possible, so that they remember the It’s top secret, but there are also Vietnam, the first to do so as an smell. reverse designs of the months too. iemoto. Of course, even if you plant I talked about a lot of things

7 today, but rather than listening to my words, it is better to listen to the scent, for the aromatic tree will teach you various things. The most im­ portant thing in Kodo is to listen to nature. I hope to dedicate my life to listening to scents, and pass down the tradition of Kodo, which my father, grandfather, and iemotos be­ fore me, passed along.

Cystal Bowl—the bells of Gion Shoja

Inose: I’m sure everybody knows this world listening to the sound, sound of the crystal bowl. that The Tale of the Heike starts feeling as if they were blending into The frequency is different for each with the words, “Gion Shoja-no nature. That kind of place truly bowl and it responds delicately to the Kane-no Oto. Shogomujo-no Hibi­ existed. frequencies exposed from each of our kiari” (The sound of the Gion Shoja If we were to recreate that sound, body parts, including around our echoes the impermanence of all it would be this crystal bowl. There coccyx, our navel, and our stomach. things). But what exactly are the are different colors and sizes, but all The stick we use to generate the bells of Gion Shoja like? of them are crystal. It is said that sound is called a Mallet. It is tanned It is said that there was a person in alpha waves are produced in the with goat’s skin. the early Edo Period, who went all brain if you listen to the sound. We Peoples’ hearing range is between the way to South East Asia and will have crystal bowl player Ms. 16 Hz to 16,000 Hz, but the crystal landed in Angkor War to find Gion Ishizuka perform it for us today. bowl produces 50,000 Hz. The small Shoya, only to realize that it was a frequencies we cannot hear, is effec­ mistake later on. It is estimated that Ishizuka: Like Mr. Inose’s introduc­ tive towards relaxation and raising Gion Shoja was most likely in India, tion, the crystal bowl is a bowl- our self-healing powers. where Buddhism was handed down. shaped instrument made from About 40 years ago, people tried Gion Shoja is a place where monks crushed pieces of crystal. When you to revive the instrument that ancient spent their last days of their lives. hear its sound, alpha waves are people of Egypt drew on wall The bells are said to be not like the produced in your brain. Alpha paintings. This is the most likely ones you see in temples but were brains are brain waves created when theory as to why crystal bowl was made with crystal and were like you are in a relaxed state, like when created in the first place. I normally shapes of wind chimes. It is said that you are receiving a massage or enjoy­ have people lie down while listening the bells could hit each other in all ing a hot spring. For some people, to the sound. But today, unfortu­ directions and monks could leave alpha waves will be produced as early nately, we have to sit on chairs, but as a few tens of seconds after you please close your eyes and relax while hear its sound. It’s an instrument you listen. Please feel free to fall with which you can relax in a matter asleep if you wish. of minutes, so it is suitable for busy modern people who need good sleep Inose: Today’s symposium revolved or need to relieve brain fatigue. around the theme of “polishing our There are a variety of colors be­ five senses.” Living in a society cause minerals other than crystal is today, which influence from modern blended in or sprayed. The sound Europe is extremely strong, I think will include frequencies of other we have come to lose a lot of things. minerals too. I’m sure you are all If we continue to think just based on aware of power stones, but each the standards of modernization, stone has different effects. The wave maybe we will lose many things. As Asami Ishizuka energy of each stone is added to the humans, can’t we discover other

8 ways to live? Maybe we are close to into the seas of modern society. the state of amnesia, having dis­ (Reprinted from “Shukan tanced ourselves from Japanese cul­ Dokushojin,” 16th November, ture and way of thinking? In order 2018, No. 3264 & Web Doku­ to reconsider these matters, we had shojin) Mr. Hachiya talk about Kodo, which we should know about and Ms. Ishizuka to perform the bells of Gion Shoja of “The Tale of the Heike.” Sometimes we need to stir Japanese culture, which has sunk

The panelists Hachiya Isshiken Souhitsu 21st Successor of Shino-ryu, Head of Shino School of Incense Born in 1975. He is the eldest son of Sougen Hachiya, the 20th generations master of Shino-ryu (The Shino School of Incense “Kodo”), the style of Kodo that has been passed down for over 500 years since the Muromachi Era. In 2002, he served under the 530th great monk Gyokudo Izumida at Daitoku-ji. In 2004, he received the name “Isshiken” and the Buddhist name “Souhitsu” from Master Gyokudo and was appointed the 21st successor of Shino-ryu. He is currently teaching at all Shino schools in Japan, schools abroad, as well as giving lectures from kindergartens to universities in order to spread awareness and share his insight. He is keen to communicate and connect with various countries through the Japanese culture of Kodo. He hopes that Kodo will be listed as one of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in the near future. In addition, he is actively working on a tree-planting program in Vietnam to preserve the now scarce “fragrant trees” for later generations. He holds lectures about these kinds of environmental programs under the title of “Kankyo-do” (Way of the Environment). He acted in behalf of the Japan Cultural Envoy of the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2009. He is also a guest lecturer at Ikenobo College and the honorary member of the Societe Francaise des Parfumeurs.

Asami Ishizuka, Crystalist Asami Representative director of the Crystal Bowl Academy Japan Foundation and CEO of Crystal Bowl Academy Japan. Born in Tokyo. Worked in a major corporation for 13 years, working as a personnel management officer and a secretary to the executive. She founded a house cleaning business before becoming a Crystal Bowl performer. In 2013, she made her CD debut from King Records, which marked her as the first Crystal Bowl performer to release a CD. In 2014, she released her second album. She has dedicated her performance at temples and shrines around the country, including Ise Jingu and Izumo Taisha. She has dedicated her performance at Araya Shrine in Fuji Yoshida nine times in a row. Other performances include, Yahiko Shrine in Niigata, Enoshima Shrine in Shonan, Kanagawa, Togakushi Shrine in , Okino-gu Shrine in Okinawa and others. In addition, she is also active as a woman entrepreneur, attending various business seminars and company establishment parties. She is the author of “Kikudakede No-no Tsukarega Toreru CD bukku” (A CD book that relieves brain fatigue just by listening to it), out from Diamond-sha.

Naoki Inose Author. Born in 1946. In 1986, he received the Souichi Ooya Nonfiction Award for his book “Mikado no Shozo” (Portrait of the Emperor).” In 1996, he received the Bungeishunju Readers’ Award for his book “Nipponkoku no Kenkyu” (A Report on Japan).” In June 2002, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi appointed him to the Promotion Committee for the Privatization of the Four Highway-Related Public Corporations. He served as Tokyo Governor from December 2012 to December 2013. In December 2015, he became Special Advisor to Osaka City. His books include “Show 16-nen no Haisen” (The Defeat in Showa 16), “Persona—Mishima Yukio Den” (Persona: The Story of Mishima Yukio) and “Picaresque—Dazai Osamu Den.” (Picaresque: The Story of Dazai Osamu). Upcoming books include “Kyushutsu” (Rescue), “Senso, Tenno, Kokka” (War, Emperor, State), “Seigi ni tsuite Kangaeyo” (Let’s Think about Justice), “Minkei” (Posse Man), “Tokyo no Teki” (Tokyo’s Enemy) and in collaboration with Lully Miura, “Kokumin Kokka no Riarizumu” (Realism and the Nation-state).

Translation: Ayako Karino

9 Japanese Civilization Institute 2018 14th Symposium

We have a goal in 2020 with the Olympics and the Paralympics, but what will come after that? Let us talk about our visions on the new coming era, after Heisei. Media artist Yoichi Ochiai and our director of Japanese Civilization Institute, Naoki Inose will discuss this theme thoroughly.

▶ Panel discussion: Thinking about Japan after 2021 Yoichi Ochiai Naoki Inose Media Artist, Pixie Dust Technologies Inc. CEO Author, director of the Japanese Associate Professor and Advisor to the President at University of Tsukuba Civilization Institute

Masato Kato

Date: 5th December (Wednesday), 2018, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (doors Admission: 2,000 yen (please pay at the door on the day) scheduled to open at 6:30 p.m.) How to attend: apply through the site below: Venue: Japan University of Economics, Tokyo Shibuya Campus http://www.japancivilization.org/ Hall (the hall seats approximately 100 people) Contact: Japanese Civilization Institute Address: 25-17, Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0031 03-5456-8082

Traditional Crafts Worldwide：https://shops.japancivilization.org Online Site Japanese：http://japancivil.shop9.makeshop.jp

Messages from Director Japanese Civilization Institute has been introducing and selling traditional crafts of Japan. Although it is said that there is approximately 1,200 types of traditional crafts in Japan, its production is declining. As part of our activities, we hope to discover valuable traditional crafts spread across the nation, enjoy Japanese craftsmanship and its beauty inherited over the centuries, and develop it with you.

Tsumami Kanzashi Folding Screen Folding Screen KYO-YAKI Japanese Bamboo Odoshi - (Crepe) (half size) (full size) Earthenware Basket Tokyotrad Samurai Armor

Contact：Japanese Civilization Institute 24-5 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0031 Phone : 03-5456-8082 Mail : [email protected]