Rare Cedar Aloeswood

Rare Cedar Aloeswood 茶人: Liang Zun Zhi / 梁俊智 f the many types of incense This Aloeswood was produced in “Six itary, established schools to teach the in the world, Aloeswood is Countries (六國)” and became a reli- arts of incense, tea and flower arrang- the king. And among the able source for a quality Aloeswood ing. These three “Ways of Elegance” O th many varieties of Aloeswood, Rare incense product. From the 17 cen- (雅道), initiated a spectacular culture Cedar (奇楠) is the highest quality, tury on, the reference to the “Six of incense across in Japan. The Japa- thought they are all produced in sim- Countries” of Aloeswood was no lon- nese tea ceremony is conducted with ilar ways. There is an ancient saying: ger used, but the characteristic “Five rigorously strict procedures and care- “A piece of Rare Cedar incense from Flavors (五味)” of the six places was fully studied etiquette. The purpose Champa (a kingdom in southern Viet- still used to distinguish Aloeswood. of the rigidity is to create ceremonial nam) is worth more than ten thousand The Six Countries and Five Flavors space, baptizing the conscience and pieces of gold.” chart became the standard for evaluat- achieving a state of refined spirit. After the Yuan Dynasty (1279– ing Aloeswood. The incense ceremony During the Warring States period in 1368 C.E.) practising the Way of and Buddhism spread together, reach- Japan (15th–17th centuries), incense Incense decreased precipitously ing Japan in the 6th century. During studies were supported by the shoguns in China. The Japanese, how- the Japanese Muromachi (室町) and samurai, who believed the ritual ever, discovered a new location for period (1333–1573 C.E.), the eighth would bring peace and calm, as well Aloeswood production via trade with shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa (足利 as purification in troubled times. Southeast Asia in the 15th century. 義政), with the support of the mil- At first, incense was categorized by where it was produced, but later on a new system of classification was developed at the behest of the sho- Six Countries & Five Flavors gun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, which eval- uated the intrinsic qualities, merits Jialuo/ Kyara (伽羅) and drawbacks of the different incense Refers to Aloeswood incense, which is considered the highest grade. Bitter; varieties. Nowadays, Japan has many positive polarity; gentle fragrance; bitter as if a red-crowned crane suddenly different schools of thought in regards appeared. Its elegance emerges naturally, like a person living within the impe- to the study of incense, and each rial palace. school’s opinions differ. The “Five Fla- Luoguo/ Rakoku (羅國) vors” are spicy, sweet, sour, salty and bitter. They were used to metaphor- Located in Siam (Thailand). Sweet; positive polarity with a hint of white ically describe and categorize all the sandalwood; odorless, its aroma relies mostly on a bitter smell; descriptive different kinds of incense, including analogy would be the samurai. Aloeswood. These “Five Flavors” are Zhen Nahe/ Manaka (真那賀) also important to Chinese and Japa- nese cosmology and Traditional Medi- From Malacca, Malay Peninsula region. Odorless; negative polarity; gen- cine, representing the elements and so tle and gorgeous fragrance that gradually becomes fainter; descriptive analogy would be a woman. on. Nowadays, the “Five Flavors” Zhen Nanman/ Manaban (真南蠻) are used to describe specific aromas, and do not refer to a specific kind of One theory says it came from the Malabar coast of India, another theory says it came from Cambodia and Laos long ago, and another says Thailand. incense wood. Incense that only pos- Salty; negative polarity; at first smell it seems low and superficial; descriptive sesses one such aroma/flavor is called analogy would be the common people. “One Established Flavor (一味立).” Aloeswood incense has an aroma that Zuo Cengluo/ Sasora (佐曾羅) is clear, abundant and winds around Found in eastern India. Spicy; negative polarity; the fragrance is cold and for a long period of time without dis- leads with sour; at first it resembles Jialuo, though gradually fading; descrip- sipating. It combines all five aromas/ tive analogy would be the monk. flavors, so it is called “Five Estab- lished Flavors (五味立).” Like tea, Cunmen Duoluo/ Sumotara (寸門多羅) Aloeswood is a balance of all the ele- From Sumatra, Indonesia. Sour; positive polarity; odorless and acrid; its ments. It brings together the best of aroma is weak and lowly; descriptive analogy would be a field worker. what incense has to offer. 37 In traditional Japanese incense In reality, the texture is both soft and wood with a knife. When kneaded, study, the highest-grade of incense hard. It certainly is not soft through- it will become a pellet, and will leave was called “Jialuo (伽羅),” but Jialuo out the production process, and some the tongue tingling when tasted. Gen- is not exactly equal to Rare Cedar. old Rare Cedar incense resin will crys- tle heating will coax forth a complex One could say that Rare Cedar is tallize when it has been underground aroma that awakens the spirit upon a kind of Jialuo. The first line of the for a very long time. Resin that origi- cooling. As time passes, the fragrance chart shows that Jialuo is high-grade nally was soft will harden under those will change, its gradations will release incense not because of its production conditions, but its aroma can still be and the twisting, changing, rich aro- location, but rather because of qual- coaxed out with a bit of heat. Rare mas will last for a long time. The ity, which is unique amongst the five. Cedar has resin that is as soft as paste. beautiful fragrance will fill the nasal The traditional study of incense pays If a bit is pinched off, it will leave a cavity all day long, changing the way particular attention to the variation scar. It rolls up when pared out of the you experience the world. in aroma and gradation the incense releases. The enriched aroma of Rare Cedar is undoubtedly unmatched. Rare Cedar and ordinary The Four Features of Rare Cedar Aloeswood incense are difficult to distinguish by appearance alone. But, Rare Cedar has a fragrance Rare Cedar is pliable and delicious when heated, Rare Cedar is com- even before it is heated to the taste paratively clear with a fragrance that Without heat, most Aloeswood incense Aloeswood incense tastes bitter, has changes over time and lasts much lon- does not give off an aroma. Rare Cedar, a hard texture, and is not suitable for ger. In sum, when evaluating “color” however, offers a cloud of fragrance chewing. Rare Cedar is pliable and can be with the naked eye, categories are even when it is cold. Some other kinds chewed. When first placed in the mouth, subjective and not a definite standard. of Aloeswood are slightly fragrant when it is a bit bitter, turning spicy and finally The amount of resin produced and smelling the wood itself, but none as pro- leaving the tip of your tongue numb and nouncedly or with as much depth. tingling. whether or not the Aloeswood sinks in water (because it is heavier and Rare Cedar changes as you burn it Rare Cedar is soft more full of resin) remain the most important standards. A rich resin, like When heated, Aloeswood’s fragrance Though surrounded by wood, Rare that of a good Jialuo, produces a com- is very stable, but Rare Cedar’s aroma Cedar has a soft texture. The resin can plex, rich fragrance; whether or not changes over time. At first Rare Cedar is easily be pared out with a knife; the shav- very clear, then percolates into a honey ings will roll up and can be kneaded into a it can sink in water is of secondary smell and finishes with a strong fragrance pellet-shape. Aloeswood has a hard tex- importance. that smells like milk. There is no incense ture, and cutting it is similar to cutting Jialuo has a texture that is “hard known to man with as much complexity bamboo. But Rare Cedar incense is as soft like jade” and also “soft like clay.” and gradation as Rare Cedar. as sand. .

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