Why "Listen" to Scent?
In our visually overwhelmed digital world, we invite you to close your eyes and open your mind.
KODO (香道) is not just about smelling; it is about "Mon-koh" (Listening to Scent).
Originating 500 years ago in Japan, this rare practice treats fragrance as a voice that speaks directly to the soul.
Like a deep meditation, "listening" to the subtle nuances of aromatic wood sharpens the five senses, clears the mind, and brings a profound stillness to your busy life.
Disconnect from the noise. Reconnect with yourself through the silence of scent.
Events
Presented by: The U.S.-Japan Kodo Initiative
Supported by: Nippon Kodo
Experience "one of the Three Major Arts" of Japan
For Japan Culture Enthusiasts
While Tea Ceremony (Sado) and Flower Arrangement (Ikebana) are widely known, Kodo remains the most elusive and refined of Japan’s three major classical arts (Geido).
Born in the Muromachi period (1338-1573) alongside the culture of the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji), Kodo was refined by aristocrats and samurai alike as a spiritual asset.
The History
The Literature
From the "incenses for prayers" of Buddhism to a refined game for the court.
Experience the world of The Tale of Genji through fragrances that tell a story.
The Method
Unlike Western perfumes, we heat—never burn—rare aromatic woods to release their pure, resinous essence.
A Journey for the Olfactory Connoisseur
For Scent Art Lovers & Niche Perfume Maniacs
For those who treat scent as art, Kodo offers the ultimate olfactory challenge.Explore the "Rikkoku Gomi" (Six Countries, Five Flavors)—an ancient classification system using taste metaphors for invisible scents:
The Flavors
The Woods
Sweet, Sour, Spicy, Bitter, Salty
Kyara, Rakoku, Manaka, Manaban, Sasora, Sumotara
Join us for "Kumikoh", an elegant incense guessing game where you will discern minute differences between these precious aromatic woods. It is a sophisticated interplay of memory, literary knowledge, and sensory acuity.
Videos
About The Organizers
The U.S.-Japan Kodo Initiative
We are a collective of students and volunteers dedicated to bridging cultures through the shared experience of Japanese heritage. Our mission is to introduce the spiritual depth of Kodo to the diverse communities of Los Angeles.
Special Support: Nippon Kodo
With a heritage dating back 450 years, Nippon Kodo continues to preserve the tradition of fine incense while innovating for modern lifestyles. We are proud to support the next generation in keeping this flame alive.