“Shorodo,” whispers the wind, carrying scents of pine and plum. Here stands Shorodo. It is not just a building but a story etched in wood and incense.
Shoyeido. It is one of Japan’s oldest incense companies. Shoyeido was established in 1705. Hata Rokuberi founded it. He was an incense hobbyist and an employee of Kyoto’s Imperial Palace.
Shoyeido brought incense to the Western world in the late 19th century. The first Shoyeido shop opened in 1705. It was at the corner of Nijo and Karasuma streets. The Hata family ran it. They were former employees of the Imperial court. Exports to the West began in 1894.
The name “Shoyeido” comes from three characters: Sho, Ei, and Do. Sho means “Pine tree”. Ei means “Prosperity”. Do means “store or company”. Sho is from the Sho Chiku Bai trio. It includes pine, bamboo, and plum tree. This trio represents a Japanese grading system. Sho represents the highest quality.
In 1999, Shoyeido had 140 employees. It made $30 million in sales. Most products are made in Nagaoka-kyo. Shoyeido owns an artisanal shop near Karasuma. There, craftsmen preserve incense-making techniques. They also fill custom orders.
Shoyeido still uses its 300-year-old secret recipe for religious orders. The twelfth generation of the Hata family runs Shoyeido today. Shoyeido has stores in five Japanese cities. These include Kyoto, Tokyo, and Sapporo. There is also a store in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Since 2004, Shoyeido manages LISN in Kyoto. LISN is designed for customers new to incense.
Shoyeido carries several incense series. The main series are “Daily Incense” and “Premium Incense”.
In the early 18th century, Moriyoshi Rokuzaemon Hata created a store called “SASAYA”. Rokubei Moritsune Hata, the third generation, incorporated Imperial Palace incense methods. He applied the court’s secret traditions of blending incense. These traditions had been enjoyed exclusively by royalty.
Today, Shoyeido is considered the highest quality, most natural incense available. There are several Shoyeido stores in Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, Yokohama, and Sapporo. The key stores offer incense ceremonies and cultural activities. Shoyeido sponsors an annual “incense competition”. Contestants submit essays about their fragrance experiences. Shoyeido preserves tradition in the modern world.
As the aroma of pine and plum envelops you, remember Shorodo. It is more than a temple. It is a legacy of scent. It is a testament to the enduring power of tradition. It is a gateway to tranquility in the heart of Kyoto.