JSB PRESENTS

in collaboration with Japan America Society of Colorado

and The Japan Society Canada

The Art of Scent: Incense Sachet Workshop with Shoyeido

Sunday, March 28, 2021

from 7:00 PM  EDT / 5:00 PM MDT / (Monday, March 29) 8:00 AM Kyoto time

The Shoyeido Incense Company began in the beginning of the 18th century, becoming the world's premiere incense-making company and the preferred supplier of incense to most temples in Japan. Twelve generations later, Masataka Hata continues his family's legacy and travels to the U.S. every year to spread the art of incense appreciation. 

While we are unable to hold our traditional in-person Kodo (incense appreciation) event this year, we hope you will join us online to hear Mr. Hata from Kyoto share the history and significance of incense in Japan. This year, we will end the event with a sachet-making workshop,* guided by Shoyeido, in lieu of the traditional incense appreciation ceremony.

         *If interested in the workshop, be sure to register with the sachet kit purchase by March 18 to receive the sachet kit in time for the event.  Limited to first 100 registrations.

       **Residents in Canada will be charged an extra $30 for international shipping. Please select the appropriate option when registering.

To get an idea of what the sachet workshop will entail, watch this video!

Our Speaker

Masakata Hata | President, Shoyeido Incense Co.

Masataka Hata was born in Kyoto in 1954.  After graduating from the Department of Commerce at Doshisha University, he studied in England for one year.  In 1977 he joined his family’s 300 year old incense company, Shoyeido, in Kyoto, and is currently the President of the company.

He is active in many prominent organizations and important events in Kyoto, including lectures at Doshisha’s Women’s College.

He has been the recipient of many honors, such as the first Distinguished Member Award from the Japan Society of Boston in 1997,  and in 2004 he was awarded the Society’s 12^th John E. Thayer Award in recognition of his 20 years of sharing incense programs that contribute to cultural exchange between Japan and the United States.

About Shoyeido: 

“Over 1,400 years ago, a large piece of fragrant driftwood washed ashore on the tiny Japanese island of Awaji. Realizing the uniqueness of the marvelous fragrance emanating from the wood, island locals presented it as a gift to the Empress Suiko. With this gift of precious agarwood began a new era of refinement of — and appreciation for — the enjoyment of fragrance.

In the early 18th century, Rokubei Moritsune Hata began incorporating incense-making techniques he learned as an employee of Kyoto's Imperial Palace. He would eventually introduce a new world of scent to an audience beyond the realm of royalty.

Twelve generations later, the Hata family continue to create an amazing array of fragrances. Shoyeido incense is considered the highest quality, most natural incense available on Earth.” [info from https://www.shoyeido.com/aboutus]