Incense Research Institute

The Incense Research Institute (IRI) is an international platform dedicated to researching and reviving incense traditions across cultures, with a special focus on the Japanese Incense Ceremony: Koh-do.  From field research on natural incense materials such as frankincense and agarwood to honoring and evolving ancient rituals, IRI connects fragrance, stillness, and cultural heritage across time and borders.

The Incense Research Institute (IRI) was founded on January 1, 2011, in collaboration with Dr. Ryohei Kanzaki of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo.  What began as an academic initiative has since evolved into a global platform dedicated to researching and regenerating incense cultures—particularly the Japanese Incense Ceremony: Koh-do.  IRI is an institute redefined for our current interconnected world—built not on walls, but on purpose, presence, and connection.  It brings together researchers, artists, and seekers of wisdom, scent, and stillness across borders, all drawn to fragrance as a bridge between spirit, culture, and the senses.  The institute is led by incense artist and scholar Eriyo Watanabe, whose work repositions Koh-do as a living art form for contemporary global audiences.  Her academic background in Expressive Arts Therapy at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts—and a decade of international experience in Boston, London, Paris, and Hong Kong—deepened her insight into the spiritual refinement of Japanese culture: the power of stillness, the clarity of Zen, and the beauty of restraint.  It was during this period that she launched arts-wellness.com, originally as a platform for expressive arts therapy. Over time, her focus shifted toward incense, especially the Japanese Incense Ceremony: Koh-do, recognizing its unique capacity to evoke mindfulness, peace, and aesthetic sensitivity.  Today, IRI explores incense not only as cultural heritage but as a path to inner awareness and international connection.  The institute continues to expand its cross-cultural presence through a variety of activities.  These include global research—such as fieldwork on natural incense materials like frankincense and agarwood—as well as Koh-do: Japanese Incense Ceremony, Substack publications, bespoke incense creations, and educational offerings.

The Incense Research Institute (IRI) envisions a world where incense is not only preserved as cultural heritage but also reawakened as a path to inner stillness and spiritual nourishment. From ancient times, incense has been used across civilizations and religious traditions as a sacred bridge—offered in prayer, purification, and reverence—to connect the human spirit with the divine. This universal role of incense, as a vessel of intention and presence, remains deeply relevant in our time.  Rooted in the aesthetics and philosophy of Japanese culture, IRI explores incense not merely as ritual, but as soul nourishment—a practice that invites contemplation, refines the senses, and illuminates one's deeper purpose in life, or Ikigai.  With a spirit of returning to origins, while responding to the deep longing for inner peace, oneness, and wellbeing in today’s world, Koh-do: Japanese Incense Ceremony stands at the heart of this vision. It offers a quiet, profound experience that transcends time.

The mission of IRI is to research, transmit, and reimagine incense culture—especially Koh-do: Japanese Incense Ceremony—for a global audience. Through scholarly inquiry, sensory-based workshops, international dialogue, and ceremonial experiences, IRI cultivates spaces where fragrance becomes a language of peace, mindfulness, and human connection.  In a world saturated with synthetic fragrances, IRI is committed to honoring the gentle power of natural materials. Most commercial incense and scented products today rely on artificial compounds, which are known to trigger chemical sensitivities and overwhelm the senses. In contrast, IRI emphasizes the use of authentic, plant-derived ingredients—such as agarwood, sandalwood, and natural resins—to create incense that is kind to the body, respectful of tradition, and aligned with nature.  This commitment reflects a broader philosophy: that fragrance can heighten ecological awareness and contribute to a more harmonious relationship between humans and the Earth. By cultivating sensitivity to subtle, natural aromas, IRI invites a way of living that values purity, intention, and environmental responsibility.

The Incense Research Institute (IRI) advances its mission through a range of interconnected activities that weave together research, education, artistic expression, and cross-cultural dialogue. Each initiative is rooted in the values of stillness, refinement, and the mindful transmission of fragrance as a cultural and sensory language.

Koh-do: Japanese Incense Ceremony

At the heart of IRI’s activities is Koh-do, the Japanese Incense Ceremony. Watanabe leads public and private sessions that invite participants to experience incense not merely as scent, but as a practice of quiet presence, attention, and inner alignment. These ceremonies are offered internationally in academic, diplomatic, and cultural settings.

Lotus Peace Project

The Lotus Peace Project shares the spirit of Japanese Incense Ceremony to promote inner peace and cross-cultural harmony. Rooted in the symbolism of the lotus and sacred aromatic wood like Kyara, it offers lectures, and hands-on workshops to inspire reflection and connection.

 ▶️ For more details, please visit our Lotus Peace Project page.

Outreach and Cultural Exchange

IRI actively engages in international outreach and cultural exchange through lectures, Japanese Incense Ceremony, and academic collaborations. These activities have taken place in renowned institutions such as the University of British Columbia, Portland Japanese Garden, and Vietnam National University, as well as Japanese embassies and cultural centers worldwide. By offering slide lectures, interdisciplinary dialogues, and workshops, IRI helps illuminate the spiritual and aesthetic dimensions of Japanese culture.

Fragrant Retreats and World Tour  

In parallel with its academic outreach, IRI is expanding its global presence through fragrant retreats and world tour. These immersive experiences combine Koh-do: Japanese Incense Ceremony with serene natural environments, offering participants a rare opportunity to engage with incense not only as tradition but as a meditative art. Destinations include luxury hotels, wellness resorts, and cultural venues where stillness, fragrance, and deep reflection come together.

Juku-koh™: Fermented Incense

Pioneered by Watanabe, Juku-koh™ is a one-of-a-kind incense developed through years of research and fermentation. Created entirely from natural materials, it offers a deeply resonant aromatic experience designed to support reflection, stillness, and subtle awareness. IRI plans to share Juku-koh™ with fragrance specialists and cultural institutions worldwide.

Bespoke Incense 

IRI also receives private commissions for bespoke incense, carefully crafted using natural, ethically sourced ingredients. Each creation is shaped through an intuitive, dialogue-based process that honors the client’s spiritual and aesthetic intentions.

Educational Programs

IRI provides online and in-person programs in Japanese incense culture, including introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses. These offerings support a new generation of global incense practitioners committed to cultural literacy, sensitivity, and depth of practice.  Looking ahead, IRI seeks to cultivate a select circle of highly gifted disciples across the globe—individuals capable of embodying and transmitting the essence of Koh-do: Japanese Incense Ceremony with sincerity, depth, and cultural intelligence.  Equally essential to IRI’s vision are patrons and cultural allies: those who recognize the transformative power of fragrance and offer their support through meaningful collaboration. These include individuals or institutions who provide space, invite audiences, and help host Japanese Incense Ceremony around the world.  Together, these stewards and supporters will form the backbone of a quietly growing movement—one that connects inner peace with cultural renewal and brings the spirit of incense to new generations.

The Incense Research Institute (IRI) shares its philosophy and cultural insights through publishing projects that intertwine fragrance, stillness, and heritage.  In 2023, Japanese Incense Ceremony for Wellbeing was published in English as paperback via Amazon. Authored by Eriyo Watanabe, the book explores the meditative and sensorial power of Koh-do: Japanese Incense Ceremony, presenting it as a path toward inner peace, aesthetic sensitivity, and cross-cultural connection.  Ongoing initiatives include upcoming book projects and essays intended for global readers—scholars, artists, and those seeking moments of depth and quietude in a fast-moving world. 

If you would like to follow these writings and support the vision of IRI, please consider:

▪️Subscribing to   

Eriyo Watanabe’s Substack newsletter

▪️Reading the book   

Japanese Incense Ceremony for Wellbeing