Kibn Japanese incense, contemporary fragrances

In Japan, incense has occupied a special place in arts and rituals for centuries, but also in the art of daily living. The Japanese brand kibn is part of this world through a resolutely contemporary vision, where fragrances dialogue with photography, music, and the spaces around us.

Created at the initiative of Japanese photographer Kisshomaru Shimamura, kibn explores the relationships between beings, places, and sensations. Its incense, handcrafted in Japan, offers four original olfactory compositions, in which woody accords meet fresh, vegetal, or warm notes.

It was in Kyoto, on the occasion of an unexpected meeting with Kisshomaru Shimamura, that Atelier Ikiwa discovered these creations. A meeting and a real coup de cœur for this unique interpretation of Japanese incense, at the crossroads of tradition and contemporary creation, which we are proud to introduce to Europe.

The creator and the brand
Kisshomaru Shimamura is a renowned Japanese photographer and artist, the creator of kibn, a project that combines fragrances with different forms of artistic expression.

The name kibn refers to the Japanese word kibun, which evokes mood and state of mind. The brand is also interested in the notion of ma, this interval that exists between beings and things, and which occupies an essential place in Japanese aesthetic sensibility. This reflection on the relationships between individuals, their environment, and the world around them constitutes the foundation of its approach and the exploration of how a fragrance can participate in the experience of a place. 

This approach today finds expression in its incense sticks, designed to bring fragrances into the simple gestures of daily life.

The fragrances
The four kibn incense are based on woody accords, enriched with vegetal, fresh, or warm notes. Each bears a number that identifies its olfactory composition. You simply need to select the fragrance of your choice when placing your order.

002 | Fresh and woody | Color: Blue

Olfactory notes: Japanese cypress (hinoki), lemon peel, cedarwood, evergreen foliage, sandalwood, amber, and musk.

A fresh and luminous fragrance that combines the woody notes of hinoki and cedar with the liveliness of citrus. The vegetal accords bring a sensation of freshness, while sandalwood, amber, and musk complete this balanced composition.

Each box contains 20 incense sticks, for a burning time of approximately 30 minutes per stick.

005 | Vegetal and earthy | Color: Green

Olfactory notes: Japanese cypress (hinoki), patchouli, cedarwood, juniper, moss, sandalwood, and musk.

Inspired by the energy of the earth, herbs, and the plant world, this fragrance combines the depth of woods with the aromatic notes of juniper and patchouli. Moss brings an earthy dimension to this composition evocative of nature.

Each box contains 20 incense sticks, for a burning time of approximately 30 minutes per stick.

006 | Woody and warm | Color: Brown

Olfactory notes: Japanese cypress (hinoki), teakwood, leather, tobacco leaves, sandalwood, and musk.

A fragrance with deep woody accords, enriched with notes of leather and tobacco leaves. The composition develops warm and delicately roasted nuances, which give it an enveloping character.

Each box contains 20 incense sticks, for a burning time of approximately 30 minutes per stick.

008 | Woody and soft | Color: Beige

Olfactory notes: Japanese cypress (hinoki), tonka bean, balm, palo santo, sandalwood, oud, and musk.

A woody composition with soft and slightly sweet accents. The tonka bean brings its characteristic warmth to the notes of sandalwood, palo santo, and oud, while the balsamic accords prolong the softness of this fragrance.

Each box contains 20 incense sticks, for a burning time of approximately 30 minutes per stick.

Manufacturing and use

Kibn incense are handcrafted in Japan, from aromatic wood powders, bamboo, and perfumed materials. Their manufacturing excludes the addition of combustion agents and favors raw materials that are respectful of humans and the environment, capable of returning to nature.

To enjoy their fragrance, simply light the end of a stick, then extinguish the flame so that the incense can burn slowly in a suitable incense holder. The combustion lasts approximately 30 minutes, during which the perfume gradually diffuses.

Place of manufacture

Japan

Dimensions
Stick length: 15 cm

Quantity
20 sticks per box

Burning time
Approximately 30 minutes per stick

Materials
Aromatic wood powders, bamboo, and perfumed materials

Directions for use
Place the stick in a suitable non-combustible incense holder, above a dish intended to collect the ashes. Light the end, then extinguish the flame to let the incense burn. Never leave burning unattended. Keep away from flammable materials and out of reach of children. Store in a dry place, away from heat and humidity.