The long summer has finally come to an end. At our home, the small brazier from Iwamoto Kiyoshi Shoten, which served as a “small mosquito repellent,” has now transformed into an “incense burner” for enjoying fragrances through autumn and winter. : Shokunin.com Blog

[Enjoying Incense with a Mame Hibachi]

The long summer has finally come to an end. At our home, the small brazier from Iwamoto Kiyoshi Shoten, which served as a “small mosquito repellent,” has now transformed into an “incense burner” for enjoying fragrances through autumn and winter. Changing the role of the same tool with the seasons allows us to truly feel the beauty consciousness cherished by the Japanese since ancient times—a spirit that savors the changing seasons and finds ingenuity in “altering the arrangement” of daily life.

Incense has long been used to prepare spaces and welcome guests. Though invisible, its soft, enveloping scent gently relaxes visitors and naturally soothes the atmosphere. Many have experienced that comforting feeling when a gentle Japanese fragrance drifts through a ryokan lobby. When using incense as hospitality, aim to light it about 30 minutes before guests arrive to subtly enjoy the lingering fragrance. Stick incense is also convenient because the burning surface area is consistent, allowing the scent to spread evenly. Longer sticks can be broken to adjust the burning time.

On the other hand, burning incense at night is also recommended for relaxing and enjoying your own time. While I choose fresh, bright scents during the day for visitors, at night I enjoy a slightly mellower, sweeter fragrance for myself. I burn incense with a short burn time of about 20 minutes. During that time, I open a favorite book or dim the lights to slowly sip tea. After the incense goes out, I savor the lingering scent as it fades, quietly reflecting on the day's events. There's a certain poignant charm in faintly sensing the lingering trace of last night's fragrance the following morning.

Iwamoto Kiyoshi Shoten's Mame Hibachi, featuring a lathe-turned wooden base combined with a shallow copper tray, charms with its adorable palm-sized dimensions and warm presence. Simply add ash inside, and it's ready to use as an incense holder. Use it for entertaining guests by day, and for yourself by night. Simply switching the same bean brazier's purpose throughout the day naturally shifts the space and your mood. Why not try incorporating a subtle change of fragrance into your daily life with a small tool like this, and enjoy a pleasant moment?

Iwamoto Kiyoshi Shoten's Mame Hibachi *Ash is not included.
https://www.shokunin.com/en/iwamoto/hibachi.html
Small Mosquito Repellent
https://en.shokunin.com/archives/54129411.html

Reference
https://www.shoyeido.co.jp/incense/category.html