Kayuragi Osmanthus

I love Nippon Kodo's Kayuragi Osmanthus incense, and it's the only one that I burn in my home itself. I am not a fan of smoky, religious incense except in temples, when I'm actually praying. I really dislike the burning, creosote smell that many incenses have as a matter of course. My tea ceremony teacher taught me several Kodo games as part of our okeiko and taught me to appreciate incense/okou. Frankly, before her teaching me otherwise, I thought all incense was of the religious, smelly kind. There are better ones than this one, I suppose, meaning that they are more refined and more expensive, but this is very nice for every day. This incense has the peachy fragrance of Osmanthus, feminine and uplifting, and is strong and sweet. If I burn two sticks in the morning, the fragrance lingers gently throughout the day, very nicely, with no odd, fake undertones.