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
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245 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuyaku, Tokyo 1500031 Tel: 0354568082 Fax: 0354568388 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 incensesmelling 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 (19121926), 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 an act of placing a charcoalball 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 Haitemae 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 Edo Period (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 Bungono 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 EdoJo 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. Japan 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 Awajishima 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.