Shōrankō is one of the classic aloeswood fragrances sold by Kyukyodo of Kyoto. In Japan, for many fans of incense, Shōrankō is a fragrance that will win your affection slowly but surely. It won’t create a big impact, nor will it be overly dramatic.
Each time you burn Shōrankō, it tends to be more and more apparent.
Kyukyodo is possibly Japan’s oldest establishment for making incense. Kyukyodo was founded in 1663. Initially the company sold medicinal plants, as a pharmaceutical supplier, and later became known for making incense.
When the company obtained the imperial court's incense formulations during the Meiji era, the elegance and restraint of the Kyukyodo style of incense began to develop. Generally speaking, Kyukyodo produces fragrances that emphasize refinement and natural beauty over boldness—and I do NOT like one over another or gravitate towards the elegant, especially when I want to perfume my room. Each incense house of fame has their own, hundreds of years old traditions. Well there’s one that started in the 1980’s that happens to be my second favorite. But all have their qualities to admire.
As far as Shōrankō goes, it has been part of Kyukyodo’s offerings since the Meiji period (1868-1912); that is over 100 years ago (I think the company started in the 1600’s).
Additionally, there has been virtually no changes to the original Shōrankō formulation since then. Prove me wrong and send me a stick from the 1900’s. 😁
There are only a handful of Japanese incense that allow you to experience what someone in Kyoto might have experienced 100 years ago. So in a way it’s like reading Proust without the bold sensuality as this stick is more meditative and serine.
The main component of Shōrankō is a high-quality jinko (agarwood/aloeswood), although the amount of jinko utilized in creating the fragrance is very low-keyed.
Unlike almost all other Japanese incense, Shōrankō will never overpower a space; instead it evolves over time. Buy the latest box you can because your understanding of it grows the more exposed you are to it.
When I burn Shōrankō (I just burned a stick before writing this), I perceive the following characteristics:
Aged polished wood
Softly warm resins
Small nuances of something dry, maybe leather
Mildly medicinal undertones
Very faint bitterness and still:
Very faint sweetness
None of the individual characteristics dominate the others. They live together in pure harmony, like a fine wine or well blended perfume: all notes create a new odor, rather than showcase one.
Neither florals or strong spices exist. Every element seems to complement each other so perfectly that they allow the inherent nature of the aloeswood to shine through.
In terms of comparison to other well-established Japanese incense houses, I would say that Shōrankō is:
Less spicy than many of the aloeswood scents made by Baieido.
Less floral/perfumey than many of the products offered by Shoyeido.
Much less bombastic and much more contemplative than all of the rich temple style incense made by Nippon Kodo.
I’m not saying it is better than those great houses. I am saying it excels at NOT being one of those great houses.
Also, the smoke from Shōrankō is milder and more refined than almost all other Japanese incense. It is not “low smoke” it’s that the smoke itself is more general than a perfumed one.
Due to these qualities, Shōrankō is perfect for extended periods of reading, sipping tea, meditating, etc., where you don’t need a fragrance competing for your attention.
Although Shōrankō does not represent a specific temple, Kyukyodo has historically provided incense to many temples, tea schools, and homes of traditional people in Kyoto for centuries. When Kyukyodo acquired the Imperial Court's incense heritage during the Meiji era, their incense represented a direct association with the classical Kyoto aesthetic: refined and unobtrusive.
For many collectors, I recommend Shōrankō as a model of traditional Japanese agarwood incense and just how beautifully fine jinko can be when not accompanied by perfumes and spices.
As such, Shōrankō requires patience, whether for an Eastern or Western nose/lover of Japanese incense. The longer you expose yourself to it, the more nuances you will discover. And Wa no has some of the best prices. I just wish they could ship a tad faster. But it’s worth the wait for both variety and savings. And while you wait it’s unusual to spend any more money as that anticipation of your “presents” dominates.
