Designing Japanese Incense: The Story Behind “ma"

In today's world, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by waves of information and emotion, losing sight of our true selves. MUSUBI KILN's first original Japanese incense series, ma was born from our desire to offer a "small ritual to recenter oneself" amidst the demands of modern life.

Yet the development process didn't start with a defined concept. We began by exploring different materials and forms, and as prototypes took shape, we found ourselves asking a fundamental question: "Who is this scent for, and where does it guide them?" By delving into this question, the concept of "Return to Yourself" became clear, and the full vision for ma took shape.

Let us share the story behind the making of this series.

MUSUBI KILN has long focused on delivering the beauty of Japanese aesthetics to the world, primarily through tableware. During our travels to kilns across Japan, we encountered not only vessels for food but also artisan crafts for scent, such as koro (incense burners) and kozara (incense holders)—items rooted in the Japanese appreciation for fragrance.

Memories of incense smoke in temple halls, quiet moments of prayer before family altars, and the tradition of kodo, where the scent of fragrant wood is “listened to” and savored, all highlighted how deeply scent is interwoven with Japanese aesthetics. This realization became the small seed from which this project grew.

Typically, product development follows a "concept to form" sequence. This time, however, our merchandiser Takahashi, who was in charge of developing the incense, started by defining the form while still in an exploratory phase.

She tried various traditional incense forms like neriko (kneaded incense) and inko (pressed incense). While deeply impressed by their profound world, she felt they were not easily accessible for casual, daily use. This led her to choose senko (incense sticks), which are easy to use and light, burn for a consistent length of time, and offer a simple way to reset the mind.

The core of our scent creation was entrusted to two professionals. First, we commissioned Fujiwara Yujiro of Kikujudo, a koshi (master incense artisan) from Awaji Island, to produce the incense sticks. Awaji Island is known as the "Island of Scent," accounting for about 70 percent of Japan's incense production. Fujiwara is a rare talent who could directly grasp Takahashi's vision and transform even the most delicate nuances into a tangible form.

Next, SeaAroma, an aromatherapy specialty store in Todoroki, Tokyo, selected the essential oils for the incense. As experts in pure essential oils sourced from around the world, they helped us shape our vision of "Japanese scenery" into fragrance blends through repeated dialogue.

An island of traditional craftsmanship and a city of organic sensibility. Their collaboration set our incense project in motion.

Our first prototypes included nine varieties. However, once lit, their scent changed dramatically from how they smelled in oil form. Citrus notes, in particular, evaporated with heat, their aroma disappearing into the air. This volatility was likely due to our commitment to using 100 percent organic ingredients, which, while pure and natural, often have more delicate scent profiles that can dissipate quickly when heated.

Faced with this challenge, both Fujiwara and SeaAroma guided us in identifying which organic materials were better able to retain their scent when burned. We meticulously compared fourteen varieties, carefully assessing smoke volume, fragrance projection, and lingering notes. Through this process, we ultimately selected three distinct fragrances that preserved their essence beautifully even after burning.

As the form gradually took shape, a fundamental question resurfaced: “Who are these three fragrances for, and what moments in people’s lives are they meant to accompany?”

In response to this question, our Creative Team Director, Umehara, carefully interpreted each fragrance and put the world of ma into words. The core concept she identified was ma (間)—a fundamental element of Japanese aesthetics representing the silence between words, the stillness within breath, the original self we encounter again when we pause.

The act of burning incense became a small ritual for reclaiming this pause—a pathway back to oneself. Thus, the ma series was infused with the unwavering concept of fragrance as a means to retreat from external noise and return to one's center.

The result is a collection of three scents, each inspired by a distinct time of day, creating a gentle flow from morning to night.

A time when the morning light gently unfurls the heart. Soft florals and calming wood create a blend that brings a quiet kindness back to oneself.

Fragrance: Tuberose × Ylang Ylang × Oakmoss

A moment when external distractions fade, and thoughts settle into focus. A scent that nurtures concentration within tranquility. 
Fragrance: Tuberose × Neroli

A time when deep breaths return with the quiet of the night and the mind gently stills. The crisp, lingering note of patchouli guides your awareness inward. 

Fragrance: Patchouli

The ma incense sticks are 7 cm (2.8 in) long and have a burn time of approximately 15 minutes. Neither too short nor too long, this duration is the ideal length to savor a restorative break for reading, meditation, or a mental reset.

Once the concept was established, the packaging design came together naturally. The set includes a lidded container from Hibino Ceramic, in colors corresponding to each scent, paired with a brass incense holder. The entire sequence of actions—opening the lid, placing the incense, and lighting it—is designed to be a graceful and beautiful experience.

Toward the end of the project, Umehara shared a thought: "Scent can be a cue to return to your inner self."

It’s not just the incense itself, but the entire experience: lighting it, watching the scent rise, and seeing the smoke drift away. This simple ritual soothes the mind. The ma series expresses this tranquility through scent.

We hope that the short time it takes for a single stick of incense to burn will create a quiet space in your heart and remind you of the center to which you can always return.