Nerikō: Japanese Kneaded Incense - Hands-on workshop & Lecture
With Maiko Behr & Hitomi Tōkō Ginnan
Date: Sunday, January 19, 2025
Two sessions to choose from:
Session one 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Session two 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre - 2F, Matsu Room 201
Fee: $45 (includes all materials and supplies)
Presented by The Dōjin Japanese Arts Society
With support from Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
Learn about the art and history of Japanese blended incense before making your own batch of nerikō to enjoy at home.
Since the Heian period (794-1192), fragrant powdered ingredients were mixed with honey or plum flesh and kneaded into round pastilles know as nerikō. This form of incense is indirectly heated rather than burned to release aroma - ideal for individuals sensitive to smoke.
During this 90-minute, hands-on workshop, guests will learn about the significance of nerikō and its use throughout Japanese history before getting their hands dirty blending and rolling their own incense to take home.
All supplies and equipment will be provided, including specially formulated recipes crafted by the Senzan Goryū school of Kōdō (incense ceremony) in Kyoto, Japan.
About the Educators:
Maiko Myōkō Behr has worked as a Japanese to English translator, curator, and consultant specializing in Japanese arts for over twenty years. She is the owner of SaBi Tea Arts, where she teaches chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony) in the Omotesenke tradition and kōdō (Japanese incense ceremony) in the Senzan Goryū tradition.
Hitomi Tōkō Ginnan is a certified kōdō instructor in the Senzan Goryū tradition. She teaches kōdō and holds monthly kumikō (incense gatherings) in both Japanese and English at SaBi Tea Arts in Vancouver.
About Deep Dives with Dōjin Arts
This program is part of "Deep Dives with Dōjin Arts," a series of engaging programming designed to offer participants context for a deeper understanding and appreciation of traditional Japanese arts. Each program in the series delves into the history, cultural significance, and techniques behind various Japanese art forms, from ceramics and incense to tea traditions, flower arrangement, and beyond. Whether you are an art enthusiast, cultural scholar, or simply interested in deepening your understanding of Japanese art traditions, we hope that you will join us!