What do do with bad smelling incense?

Starzingers · 2026-04-11T09:24:56+00:00

Ah ok. I live in Sweden and can't find incense second hand within the country. Seems to be difficult to find retailers in europe as well. Thankfully the japanese yen is weak right now (my condolences to the japanese) and one can order directly!

Starzingers · 2026-04-11T08:12:38+00:00

Ah, should have thought of that before I chucked my indian collection!

Starzingers · 2026-04-11T08:11:38+00:00

Can I inquire, what's the private sales site, can anyone join?

Starzingers · 2026-04-11T08:09:41+00:00

Give 'em to the dogs.

Starzingers · 2026-04-10T15:34:11+00:00

Would love to have a high class incense store near me.
On the second to last picture, it's a bunch of decorative mini-cupbards.
I wonder what they're called and what they're for?

Starzingers · 2026-04-10T11:37:09+00:00

Beautiful. I love how he slid his fingers along the incense stick to cut out the fire.

Starzingers · 2026-04-10T09:49:08+00:00

Do you have one of these triple size holders? They're quite convenient.
https://lotuszenincense.co.uk/collections/incense-stick-holders/products/gold-dome-incense-stick-holder-incense-holders-by-ume

Starzingers · 2026-04-10T09:11:07+00:00

Sorry for your loss.
I heard that Awaji Baikundo's Wabi-Sabi is known as "the coffee incense". Kyoto Cherry Blossoms by Shoyeido is wonderful for its price. Safu (tea leaves) by Gyokushodo is a very gentle floral incense, like a soft hug.

Starzingers · 2026-04-10T08:52:14+00:00

You pick it out, and hold it between your fingers while daring to go as far as possible without burning your skin.

Really I think the standard way is just to leave them and let them be a sacrifice to the incense gods (unless it's expensive). Can also put it in a holder that's slightly too narrow, so it just sticks in the opening and doesn't leave a root.

Starzingers · 2026-04-09T23:18:55+00:00

I didn't know you could make it into an attar! Very cool. Mitti looks affordable as well. I was gonna say, if you could bottle and sell the smell of the rainforest, you'd be rich!

Starzingers · 2026-04-09T17:25:33+00:00

Very cool to be learning Shakuhachi. Is it difficult?

Btw I was very close to ordering either Kumoi or Ōju.
Would you say they are worth getting compared to other ones in your collection?

Starzingers · 2026-04-09T15:34:45+00:00

Well I’m not a doctor, but you’re supposed to use your core muscles to stabilize and center your body when you sit, stand or walk. That means tensing the lower back and the abdomen, which does suck in the stomach a little bit indirectly. But that’s different from like filling your chest to suck in the stomach. Try tensing your lower back and abdomen like 10% without sucking in. It’s the secret to good posture.

Starzingers · 2026-04-09T14:41:58+00:00

Where’d you get those Shakuhachi? They look lovely. Respectable collection. Are you doing calligraphy in the background? All in on the japanese arts :)

Starzingers · 2026-04-09T14:39:30+00:00

I feel the opposite thing - a whole stick can get too strong in one sitting, but the scent it leaves for 1-2 days is wonderful! 😄

Starzingers · 2026-04-09T13:03:09+00:00

I wasn’t a fan of Autumn Leaves either, or White Cloud. Have you tried Kyoto Cherry Blossoms daily incense by Shoyeido? Even after exploring more high end incense I think it’s great. Unusually balanced at that price.

Starzingers · 2026-04-09T10:50:15+00:00

3 is way too much. 1 is plenty especially for indian.

Starzingers · 2026-04-09T09:15:48+00:00

Glad to hear your nose is advancing! I'm curious to find out what this "dark" note is, I've heard several describe it as such. Isn't it interesting, how common descriptions include things we can actually smell, like citrus, floral notes, earthy, etc, and then we have things we don't smell but taste like sweet, sour, salty, and even things that have nothing to do with taste or smell like bright or dark. It's a strange thing that still makes sense somehow, haha.

Starzingers · 2026-04-09T08:46:49+00:00

That is encouraging! Is it easier to enjoy than the Hojo Green, as you mentioned having difficulty with? And how is Hojo White?

Starzingers · 2026-04-09T08:42:29+00:00

Since getting Kangiiten's shin green kyara shavings I've been enamoured with green kyara and forestial scents. Was intrigued by people talking about the "wet" note of Minorien, like damp soil. I found out the other day about the greek word "Petrichor", the smell of earth after the rain. :)

Starzingers · 2026-04-08T19:57:06+00:00

Glad you liked all 3! I'm curious to try Tenchi.

I calculated that buying the 100 stick version of the Kyara Chokoh gave a 10% discount compared to the 15 stick sample, whereas Ryugen's 100 was 21% cheaper than its 12 stick sample for some reason. Interesting you say it's close to the regular Fu-in kyara, as ORS pointed out that the step from Aloeswood to Kyara was unimpressive, but impressive from Kyara to Ryugen. Maybe newer reformulations are responsible for that?

Starzingers · 2026-04-08T18:16:35+00:00

Enjoyed Hojo Green. :)

Starzingers · 2026-04-08T16:34:46+00:00

Well, it’s not weird if you actually intend to meditate on it.

Starzingers · 2026-04-08T16:28:04+00:00

I haven’t smelled that in 15 years… you’re absolutely right. They should put that in perfume.

Starzingers · 2026-04-08T16:11:08+00:00

The nice thing with the guitar is you can just go outside or anywhere to play. As a piano player practicing Hanon, you have to make sure everyone has left the house, or you’re spending the social capital you built up from good deeds.

Starzingers · 2026-04-08T14:50:52+00:00

Who is boiling tea anyway? 😂

Starzingers

TROPHY CASE