New Acquisition-
ZIYO recently purchased an electronic incense censer from Taobao, and it finally arrived this week.
An incense censer is one of the tools (kōdōgu 香道具) used for the traditional ceremony of enjoying incense, also known as Kōdō (香道, “Way of Fragrance”), which originates from Japan.
As with many Japanese traditions, the art of enjoying fragrant scents was culturally inherited from China through Buddhism in the 6th century CE. Since this time Japan has continued the develop the practice and they refined into almost an art form which seeks to maximise the enjoyment incense.
There are two methods of enjoying incense,”direct-burning” and “indirect-burning”.
Direct-burning is by burning aromatic biotic material which releases fragrant smoke, and it the traditional approach to using incense. Indirect-burning is when the fragrant materials are warmed up to the point where the scent is released, but not to the point where the incense will actually burn; in affect vapor rather than smoke is released. The heat source is traditionally charcoal or glowing embers.
This electronic censer uses the indirect burning method. It is uses an electronically controlled heating element to replace traditional heat sources. It is rechargeable, portable, and safer to use (because there is no fire and glowing embers involved) so it is a safer, easier, more time efficient and therefore very convenient way to enjoy fragrant incense.
This three-legged electronic censer is crafted by the Chinese brand 悟雅堂 who are specialists in the manufacture of incense and incense related equipment and accessories. There are many different styles of censers available in their shop with prices ranging from 660 to 980 RMB. The one we choose is styled on Chinese Shanshui paintings.
It comes in a beautiful wooden box. The layout is quite elegant as well as coherent with their calligraphic logo. The box is well padded with cotton lining so the censer sits snugly and safely in the box for convenient transport. The box is divided into two sections so the censer’s tools are separated from the delicate ceramic censer. As a criticism I found that the lid of the box is a bit loose and doesn’t slide in smoothly.
The accessories that are included with the censer are:
- A Brush
- Silver dish (incense holder)
- Metal tweezers or tongs
- Bag (for protecting the censer)
- Wooden censer lid with a silver vermeil pattern
Although the brush, silver dish and tweezers included with the censer are basic, entry-level tools, they actually do a good job. You can opt to use better quality accessories, but what is included is of sufficient quality to get you up and running.
The bag for protecting the electronic censer is well made, we like the colour and texture of the fabric used, and its functional, practical design. The lid equally is well crafted and of very high quality.
The lid is made from the luxury red hardwood, Amboyna wood. It has been decorated with a silver vermiel orchid silhouette etched onto the surface. In my opinion, the contrast of the dark wooden lid and the white porcelain censer is a nice touch.
The ceramic is fine and smooth, with a highly detailed hand-painted Chinese landscape. The heat source is a small, round indentation in the centre-top of the censer. This is where you place put the small silver incense holder. The heat source is made from a different ceramic, more conductive ceramic. It is has a rougher surface to the rest of the censer to ensure that the incense holder it held in place.
The underside of the censer is a stark contrast to the beautifully crafted, hand-painted ceramic body and wooden lid. Here you find the electronic controls, and let’s be honest, there is no real way of making this beautiful.
The control panel has an electronic 3-digit temperature display, a dial for setting the temperature and an magnetic charger connector.
It is a simple, well-considered, functional design. It is actually quite weird to see any electronics within the censer, because based on its outward appearance you wouldn’t guess that this actually an electronic appliance. Personally I don’t like the looks of the controls and feel they could have refined this so that it is more in keeping with the exquisite ceramics and wooden lid, and perhaps could have been of slightly better quality. The temperature display is very bright, so much so that it emits a red glow on the underside of the censer when it is turned on, which is annoying and perhaps distracting.
The censer can set to to a maximum temperature of 250 degrees Celsius.
In conclusion, the quality of the censer itself is great, the accessories do let it down somewhat as this has the potential to be a premium product. In terms of value for money, I would it is very reasonably priced, and definitely worth purchasing. Overall, I am very happy with this purchase.
