Nerikō: Japanese Kneaded Incense Hands-On Workshops & Lectures
Photo credit: Xun Yu 六入處感官美學研習社 The Six Sensorial Lab
Our 2025 programming season began with the return of our popular Nerikō: Japanese Kneaded Incense workshop and deep-dive lecture.
This year we were pleased to be able to offer the program in two locations - at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby and SaBi Tea Arts in Vancouver. Thank you to our venue partners for their continued support and to everyone who came out to join us to learn about the art and history of Japanese blended incense.
Photo credit: Xun Yu 六入處感官美學研習社 The Six Sensorial Lab
Each 90-minute, hands-on workshop began with a “Deep-Dive” lecture presented by our Executive Director, Maiko Myōkō Behr, highlighting the significance of nerikō and its use throughout Japanese history. One of the core mandates of Dōjin Arts is to provide context for deeper understanding and appreciation of traditional Japanese arts. It is our great pleasure to continue to provide programs such as our “Deep-Dives with Dōjin Arts” series designed to offer contextual understanding as well as highlighting points of connection between the arts within the traditions of Japan and beyond.
Photo credit: Xun Yu 六入處感官美學研習社 The Six Sensorial Lab
Following the lecture, guests then had the opportunity to blend and roll their own nerikō incense to take home. This year we had two specially formulated recipes crafted by the Senzan Goryū school of Kōdō (incense ceremony) in Kyoto, Japan. Kayō 荷葉 (Lotus Leaf), one of six classic blends whose recipes date back over a thousand years, and Chikubu 竹生, a formula referencing the sacred shrine to the goddess Benzaiten and her messenger, the white snake, in honour of the zodiac sign for 2025.
Thank you again to all of our participants for another enjoyable season of making nerikō together. For anyone interested in learning more about Japanese incense traditions, we have some very special programs coming up this year! Stay tuned to our “Upcoming Programs” page for more information and events including our “Experience Kōdō 2025: The Way of Japanese” symposium and public incense ceremonies happening this May at UBC.