KODO 2026: 3 Venues, March 7-15, Los Angeles

KODO
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The Art of Listening to Scent: KODO 2026

March 7–15, 2026

Experience KODO, the Japanese Way of Incense, across three distinctive Los Angeles venues. This special program invites beginners to "listen" to fragrance through Japan's refined incense culture.

Event Schedule

Dates	March 7	March 8, 14, 15	March 11-13
Venue	IAO The Institute for Art and Olfaction	JACCC Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (Kosaka Center 503B - 5F)	TGS Tortoise General Store
Address	932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90012	244 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012	12701 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Tickets	12:00 pm – 1:30 pm 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm	See ticketing page	See ticketing page

Program details

Duration: 75–100 minutes
Ages: 18+ only
Chair seating (not tatami)
Souvenirs: Guide to KODO and Nippon Kodo incense

Program includes

KODO Installation by Mari Inagaki
History of KODO
About KODO & How to Enjoy KODO
Genjiko Experience
Q&A session

About the Japan–U.S. KODO Initiative

The Japan–U.S. KODO Initiative is an independent cultural initiative dedicated to expanding awareness of Kōdō through artistic and cultural exchange. By exploring Kōdō in dialogue with contemporary art, the initiative seeks to create new points of connection between this classical Japanese practice and audiences in the United States.

While arts such as the tea ceremony and flower arrangement are widely recognized, Kōdō remains a relatively hidden gem of Japanese culture. Through education, presentation, and creative collaboration, the initiative aims to share the depth, beauty, and contemporary relevance of the Way of Incense with a broader international community.

The initiative is guided by practitioners of the Oie-ryu School of Kōdō.

Yasuyo Konaka serves as incense master and writer, with extensive experience conducting Kōdō incense gatherings in Japan and abroad, as well as leading international workshops and educational programs.

Masayoshi Konaka oversees program direction and cultural programming, and has produced Kōdō-related events and publications, including Japanese Incense (Seibundo Shinkosha). He is President and Representative Director of Nippon Kodo Holdings Co., Ltd.

About the Artist: Mari Inagaki

Mari Inagaki is a Japanese artist working primarily in medium-format film photography. She explores social themes through cross-cultural perspectives. Her practice extends into installation and sensorial elements, inviting reflective, embodied engagement beyond the visual.