Japanese Wa Kampo Incense Kakuwari - Nerikoh - Pressed Incense

A little history to help understand what this product is...

As many know, I am a licensed practitioner of Chinese Medicine - encompassing Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Gua Sha, Cupping, Tui Na, and Internal Medicine (some refer to as a Chinese Pharmacist), among a host of other things.

Specifically - I lean more towards Japanese Kampo - Kampo meaning "Chinese Medicine" in Japanese. Sometimes referred to as Japanese/Chinese Medicine.

Wa Kampo - refers to Japanese/Japanese Medicine. Understand the difference?

Wa Kampo differs from Kampo in that it is more of a Japanese philosophical approach to compounding - both in methods and in ingredient selection.

Many don't realize that in Japan, all of the old incense houses started out as Kampo Pharmacies. Even in the West - perfumes, soaps, cosmetics - these things were under the purview of the local pharmacist until the 20th century. In Japan - pharmacists made incense, medicine, "tea pills" (compounded pill-form medicine that was the precursor to Nerikoh), and a host of other products that would fall under "cosmetics" in our modern world. So at the heart of incense culture in the East - we find Chinese and Kampo Medicine. It's why the materials that are used are used, it's why the materials are combined and compounded as they are, it's why incense always accompanies meditation, it's why fumigation is an age-old method of fumigation (which was a medical application), and it's why simply smelling it can help us cool and calm down.

Knowing this now - it's funny looking back at how my journey and the founding of Rising Phoenix came about - as it was in medical school that I chanced upon the connection of pharmacy compounding and cosmetics, fragrance and flavor, and ultimately - incense compounding. I started in Medicine and took that into Perfumery and Incense, just as countless others had before me - without ever knowing about the progression of one into the other until much later.


So why is understanding this important...?


These Kampo squares are actually internal medicine. They are chewed *slowly* before swallowing. Several ways they are intended to be used:

*They are great taken before bed if you're having trouble sleeping

*They are taken before meditation to quiet the Mind and Spirit

*They are taken for feeling sluggish or fatigued or heaviness in the body

*They are taken for any kind of pain

Talking about the medicine and HOW it works can be quite complicated when chatting with someone with no background on how this all works - so suffice it to say - incense was traditionally formulated as medicine and meditation aids. To slow the breath, align the organs, Calm the Mind and Spirit. Specific formations were compounded to treat specific maladies - but overall - Mind, Body, and Spirit are intended to be aligned and quieted.

That circles us back to these squares...


I was first given these as medicine. My first impression was, "Whoa, these smell great!". My second was, "These taste like eating incense!" haha - and followed shortly thereafter tasting it was "These are made in a base of Agarwood!"

I'm sure you can guess what happened next...

I plugged in my electric heater and tossed a square on there! And BOOM...I was enthralled.

Friends, these little squares are medicine and are made from a 400+ year old Edo Era formula. The base is of superb quality Agarwood, what I suspect is a hint of Kyara, plus a variety of other materials common in both the medicine and Japanese incense world. If you are well-versed in Japanese incense - you will immediately recognize the scent and quality of these.

And although these can safely and effectively be taken internally - they make for some superb pressed incense!


To use:

If using internally - *slowly* chew a piece before swallowing. A single small cup of sake can be taken with it (making sure that we are using high quality sake), but is not necessary.

As incense - I recommend an electric heater. Start off on low heat and slowly work your way up to a higher temp until you get a slight wisp of smoke before pulling the heat back. It's best if you stay close and "cup" the aroma - similar to a Kodo session.

If embarking on Kodo-style use - one of these little squares will keep you entertained for a solid 2-3 hours - which can also be done on an electric if you have the patience.


The quality of these are superb, and rival the best of top grade formulations from Japanese houses - although arguably better considering that they are intended for internal use.

They make for great internal medicine, as well as a divine aromatic ride - so they pack a double punch!

Pick up a blister pack or two of these 10 squares...you won't find anything else quite like them!

Materials: Wa Kampo,Japanese Medicine,Japanese Incense,Chinese Medicine,Incense Pastille