Traditional Fragrance and Perfumes

[inume]

Is there any mention in period texts about what types of scents that men and women wore pre-Edo?

In fiction that I've read, jasmine has been mentioned, and also the idea that men would have probably smelled of wintergreen oil from their use of it as a hair product.

Just curious. Have a great weekend, everyone!

[Noriko]

In the Heian era, people would use incense to perfume their clothing- scent wasn't applied neat to the skin like it is today. There was also an incense smelling game called "Genji-Ko" that evolved later. This data might give you some ideas as to what scents and materials were used in period. Here is a link to Liza Dalby's page on incense and such that may be a good starting off point for you:

lizadalby.com/TofM%20incense.html

[Otani Harukojoou]

The link on the 'cooking' of the incense is really interesting!!!

In The World of the Shining Prince by Ivan Morris, on page 193, he lists some incense blends submitted during a competition in The Tale of Genji...

For example::

kurobo: Aloes, cinnamon, ground conch shell, Indian Resin, sandalwood, musk and cloves.

Jiju: aloes, cinnamon, ground conch shell, musk, sweet pine and Tropical tulip.

Baika: aloes, cinnamon, ground conch shell, Indian resin, sandalwood, musk, and sweet pine.

Konoekou: cinnamon, ground conch shell, Indian resin and white gum.

I usually just keep a sachet of sandalwood and cedar in my sleeve.

[Saionji Shonagon]

I've taken to buying boxes of the cheapest line of Nippon Kodo's incense and tossing them into dresser drawers.

Nice overview of Japanese incense here:
www.japanese-incense.com/

Some companies specializing in Japanese incense:
www.nipponkodo.com/ (I like their Morningstar cypress, sandalwood and amber. Simple, clean, basic and inexpensive).
www.shoyeido.com/ (I like their Nokiba "Moss Garden")

If you can't decide, look for sampler packs. I know Shoyeido does samplers.

I don't know about wintergreen, but camellia oil was - and still is - used as a hair treatment. (Get a wooden comb and a bottle of camellia oil which will last you for ever. Really nice for your hair.)

[Saionji Shonagon]

shows one of the characters at Genji's "Summer Palace" in the Kyoto Costume Museum burning incense under an openwork basket to scent robes.

This is a komakura or incense pillow from the Momoyama period in the Suntory Museum. A drawer which can't be seen in this photo allows one to slip a small incense burner inside this small box. The komakura would be set directly behind the sleeper's regular pillow and her long hair draped over the box to be scented while she slept. (Image is from a catalogue titled Autumn Grasses and Water: Motifs In Japanese Art (1983, Japan Society).

[Noriko]

Jun 6, 2008 22:25:07 GMT -5 Saionji Shonagon said:

I don't know about wintergreen, but camellia oil was - and still is - used as a hair treatment. (Get a wooden comb and a bottle of camellia oil which will last you for ever. Really nice for your hair.)

If I may go on a tangent, is this a good remedy for wavy frizz hair? I have the worst hair in Boston, I swear. (;

[Saionji Shonagon]

Jun 7, 2008 21:19:46 GMT -5 Noriko said:

If I may go on a tangent, is this a good remedy for wavy frizz hair? I have the worst hair in Boston, I swear. (;

Not having wavy, frizzy hair, I have to say I don't know.
www.naturaljapanesebeauty.com/njb.page12.html has some information on camellia oil's properties and uses.

[kurokamakiri]

Jun 7, 2008 16:09:37 GMT -5 Saionji Shonagon said:

shows one of the characters at Genji's "Summer Palace" in the Kyoto Costume Museum burning incense under an openwork basket to scent robes.

Is THAT what the doll is doing? Very cool!

Honestly, sweetie, if not for you, I'd be lost in a storm-tossed sea

Now I have a mad desire to scent all of my robes... and the weather outside is 96 degrees...

[inume]

Thanks for all your input, everyone! This honourable person is most grateful for your continuing instruction. Hope everyone had a great weekend!