YAKUSUGI / Incense Sticks

A tranquil, yet energetic scent.

Yakusugi is a unique species of wood found only on Yakushima Island, with trees that have lived for over 1,000 years. As the harvesting of standing trees is now strictly prohibited, this incense is crafted by upcycling the sawdust from precious Yakusugi offcuts.

Taste: Sweetness = Acidity

Blending and Creation Notes

Agarwood and sandalwood, both deeply rooted in Japanese incense culture, are actually native to Southeast Asia. Thus, working with traditional fragrant woods from around the world, we began to wonder: Does Japan have its own native scent materials? This question led us on a journey deep into Japan’s natural landscapes in search of indigenous scents.

Our first visit to Yakushima Island was met with a raging storm. As we walked along the shore after the winds had passed, we stumbled upon a massive Yakusugi driftwood log washed down from the mountains. It was then that our story began. The islanders told us that while logging of Yakusugi trees is strictly prohibited, driftwood carried by the sea may be collected. Some even make their living from gathering and repurposing it.

Acquiring Yakusugi posed a challenge due to its high market value. However, upon further exploration, we discovered a potential solution in sawdust discarded from wood workshops. This discovery became the turning point of our project as securing a stable supply of raw materials is essential for incense-making.

Upon visiting the workshops, we witnessed the reality of Yakusugi sawdust being discarded in large quantities. While there had been previous attempts to repurpose it, none had been successful. This marked the beginning of our challenge to create incense from Yakusugi offcuts.

Many have likely tried to make incense from Yakusugi before. However, the development process proved challenging since a pronounced acidity, which Yakusugi possesses alongside its natural wood scent and sweetness, is not well-developed in Japanese scent culture. 

While the common approach to handling acidity is to balance it with sweet ingredients, it risks distorting the wood’s true character.

At Sanga Incense, our experience working with diverse scent materials-including those with strong acidity-allowed us to develop a unique approach. Rather than altering scents to fit conventional Japanese preferences, we blend incense based on the scenery that moved us on-site.

Our initial blends closely mirrored the fresh scent of milled Yakusugi from the workshops. However, when tested within Yakushima’s forests, something felt off. The final formula was refined by incorporating subtle earthy and fungal notes, achieving a perfect harmony between the raw scent of Yakusugi and the island’s lush natural environment.

Sanga Incense’s products release their scent as the flame ignites, revealing their depth with each breath. As scent and taste blend with the air, their clarity deepens.

The Special Incense Series is inspired by fascinating natural materials, exploring a wide range of scents from hidden gems known only to connoisseurs to those currently in the modern spotlight.