Fermented Incense

The creation of fermented incense is a work of art.  The fragrance of Eriyo’s signature incense is exquisite and everlasting. 

Neri-koh, originally known as takimono in ancient Japan, is a hand-kneaded incense crafted from a harmonious blend of fragrant woods, rare herbs, exotic spices, and natural sweeteners such as honey or plum pulp.

Unlike incense sticks or cones, Neri-koh is not meant to be lit; rather, it is gently warmed to release its scent, allowing the fragrance to unfold in quiet, contemplative layers.

From the late eighth century onward, Japan’s aristocracy embraced neri-koh as a refined sensory ritual. The exquisite aroma was used to scent rooms, garments, and even handwritten letters. The elegant pastime of takimono-awase—a poetic incense blending contest—gained popularity in courtly circles and gradually evolved into Koh-do, the formal Japanese incense ceremony established during the Muromachi period.

As recorded in the Kunjuu Ruishou, one of Japan’s oldest texts on incense, seasonal motifs were essential in crafting Neri-koh. Fragrance compositions paid homage to the natural world: plum blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in summer, chrysanthemums in autumn, and fallen leaves in winter—each evoking a moment in time and a shift in sensibility.

My journey into the art of neri-koh began in 2004, inspired by the ephemeral beauty of flowers. Since then, I have refined my creations to focus primarily on fragrant botanicals such as plum blossom and lotus, honoring both tradition and personal expression.

In seeking the historical roots of neri-koh, I traveled to Grasse, France—the cradle of French perfumery—where I visited the International Perfume Museum. There, a permanent exhibition traced the history of aromatics from Ancient Egypt to the modern era. While no definitive link was established between Japanese incense and the Silk Road in the exhibits, I felt a deep, intuitive connection. In particular, Kyphi, the sacred incense of ancient Egypt, seemed to resonate as a spiritual and olfactory ancestor to Neri-koh.

Today, I continue to explore this lineage—this aromatic legacy of the Silk Road—through my signature fermented Neri-koh blends. After years of experimentation and study, I have developed an original formula incorporating the highest quality agarwood, sandalwood, frankincense, benzoin, amber, and fresh seasonal flowers. The result is a timeless, meditative fragrance that transcends borders and eras—a modern expression of an ancient art. 

Frankincense, one of the world’s most revered resins, played a central role in the creation of Kyphi—an ancient Egyptian incense used in both sacred rituals and traditional healing. This storied compound later found its way into the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, where its ceremonial value endured across centuries.

For nearly two decades, I have devoted myself to the alchemical craft of reinterpreting Kyphi. Over time, my creative process began to shift: I moved beyond traditional dry ingredients, embracing the ephemeral beauty of fresh flowers. I also replaced red wine—historically used in kyphi recipes—with vodka, allowing for enhanced preservation and a cleaner aromatic expression.

Through countless experiments, I discovered something unexpected: a quiet fermentation and subtle maturation took place. The result was a transcendent fragrance—one that felt not only vibrant and pure, but also eternal, as if time itself had folded into the scent.

My approach to fermented Kyphi is guided by intuition, imagination, and a deep reverence for the sacred. I often envision ancient priests, kings, and emperors guarding their incense formulas with utmost secrecy, and I imagine that somewhere along history’s hidden paths, they may have discovered the transformative power of fermentation using living flowers.

In my formulations, a variety of botanicals may be used—lotus, damask rose, plum blossom, jasmine, plumeria, and beyond. Yet among them, I hold a particular reverence for the fragrant Japanese lotus: a flower of unmatched purity and profound spiritual symbolism. For me, it is not merely an ingredient—it is the soul of the blend.

This is not simply incense. It is an offering.

A timeless essence, reborn through fire, memory, and bloom.