--- title: Names of Incense Used., part 1 — In Ghostly Japan · full text with trees description: Names of Incense Used., part 1, «In Ghostly Japan» by Lafcadio Hearn: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: I. “Tasogare” (“Who-Is-there?” --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8128/3/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [In Ghostly Japan](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8128/) / Names of Incense Used., part 1 # Names of Incense Used., part 1 Names of Incense Used., part 1 of «In Ghostly Japan» by Lafcadio Hearn: the whole text, 116 sentences and 2676 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8128/3/page/2/) I. “Tasogare” (“Who-Is-there?”[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") I. e. “Evening-Dusk”).[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") II.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") “Baikwa” (“Plum Flower”).[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") III.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") “Wakakusa” (“Young Grass”).[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") IV.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") (“Guest Incense”) “Yamaji-no-Tsuyu” (“Dew-on-the-Mountain-Path”).[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") To the Japanese original of the foregoing record were appended the names of the players, the date of the entertainment, and the name of the place where the party was held.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") It is the custom In some families to enter all such records in a book especially made for the purpose, and furnished with an index which enables the \_Kō-kwai\_ player to refer immediately to any interesting fact belonging to the history of any past game.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") The reader will have noticed that the four kinds of incense used were designated by very pretty names.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") The incense first mentioned, for example, is called by the poets’ name for the gloaming,—\_Tasogaré\_ (lit: “Who is there?” or “ Who is it?”)—a word which in this relation hints of the toilet-perfume that reveals some charming presence to the lover waiting in the dusk.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Perhaps some curiosity will be felt regarding the composition of these incenses.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") I can give the Japanese recipes for two sorts; but I have not been able to identify all of the materials named:—[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Recipe for Yamaji-no-Tsuyu.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Ingredients Proportions. about Jinkō (aloes-wood) 4 \_mommé\_ (½ oz.) Cōoji (cloves) 4 ” ” Kunroku (olibanum) 4 ” ” Hakkō (artemisia Schmidtiana) 4 ” ” Jakō (musk) 1 \_bu\_ (⅛ oz.) Kōkō(?)[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") 4 \_mommé\_ (½ oz.)[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") \_To 21 pastilles\_[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Recipe for Baikwa.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Ingredients Proportions. about Jinkō (aloes) 20 \_mommé\_ (2 1/2 oz.) Chōji (cloves) 12 “ (1 1/2 oz.) Kōkō(?)[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") 8 1/3 “ (1 1/40 oz.) Byakudan (sandal-wood) 4 “ (1/2 oz.) Kanshō (spikenard) 2 \_bu\_ (1/4 oz.) Kwakkō (Bishop’s-wort?)[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") 1 \_bu\_ 2 \_shu\_ (3/16 oz.) Kunroku (olibanum) 3 ” 3 ” (15/22 oz.) Shōmokkō (?)[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") 2 ” (1/4 oz.) Jakō (musk) 3 ” 2 \_shu\_ (7/16 oz.) Ryūnō (refined Borneo Camphor) 3 \_shu\_ (3/8 oz.)[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") \_To 50 pastilles\_[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") The incense used at a \_Kō-kwai\_ ranges in value, according to the style of the entertainment, from $2.50 to $30.00 per envelope of 100 wafers—wafers usually not more than one-fourth of an inch in diameter.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Sometimes an incense is used worth even more than $30.00 per envelope: this contains \_ranjatai\_, an aromatic of which the perfume is compared to that of “musk mingled with orchid-flowers.”[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") But there is some incense,—never sold,—which is much more precious than \_ranjatai\_,—incense valued less for its composition than for its history: I mean the incense brought centuries ago from China or from India by the Buddhist missionaries, and presented to princes or to other persons of high rank.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Several ancient Japanese temples also include such foreign incense among their treasures.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") And very rarely a little of this priceless material is contributed to an incense-party,—much as in Europe, on very extraordinary occasions, some banquet is glorified by the production of a wine several hundred years old.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Like the tea-ceremonies, the \_Kō-kwai\_ exact observance of a very complex and ancient etiquette.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") But this subject could interest few readers; and I shall only mention some of the rules regarding preparations and precautions.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") First of all, it is required that the person invited to an incense-party shall attend the same in as \_odorless\_ a condition as possible: a lady, for instance, must not use hair-oil, or put on any dress that has been kept in a perfumed chest-of-drawers.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Furthermore, the guest should prepare for the contest by taking a prolonged hot bath, and should eat only the lightest and least odorous kind of food before going to the rendezvous.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") It is forbidden to leave the room during the game, or to open any door or window, or to indulge in needless conversation.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Finally I may observe that, while judging the incense, a player is expected to take not less than three inhalations, or more than five.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") In this economical era, the \_Kō-kwai\_ takes of necessity a much humbler form than it assumed in the time of the great daimyō, of the princely abbots, and of the military aristocracy.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") A full set of the utensils required for the game can now be had for about $50.00; but the materials are of the poorest kind.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") The old-fashioned sets were fantastically expensive.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Some were worth thousands of dollars.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") The incense-burner’s desk,—the writing-box, paper-box, tablet-box, etc.,—the various stands or \_dai\_,—were of the costliest gold-lacquer;—the pincers and other instruments were of gold, curiously worked;—and the censer—whether of precious metal, bronze, or porcelain,—was always a \_chef-d’œuvre\_, designed by some artist of renown.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") V[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Although the original signification of incense in Buddhist ceremonies was chiefly symbolical, there is good reason to suppose that various beliefs older than Buddhism,—some, perhaps, peculiar to the race; others probably of Chinese or Korean derivation,—began at an early period to influence the popular use of incense in Japan.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") Incense is still burned in the presence of a corpse with the idea that its fragrance shields both corpse and newly-parted soul from malevolent demons; and by the peasants it is often burned also to drive away goblins and the evil powers presiding over diseases.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") But formerly it was used to summon spirits as well as to banish them.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") Allusions to its employment in various weird rites may be found in some of the old dramas and romances.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") One particular sort of incense, imported from China, was said to have the power of calling up human spirits.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") This was the wizard-incense referred to in such ancient love-songs as the following:—[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") “I have heard of the magical incense that summons the souls of the absent: Would I had some to burn, in the nights when I wait alone!”[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") There is an interesting mention of this incense in the Chinese book, \_Shang-hai-king\_.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") It was called \_Fwan-hwan-hiang\_ (by Japanese pronunciation, \_Hangon-kō\_), or “Spirit-Recalling-Incense;” and it was made in Tso-Chau, or the District of the Ancestors, situated by the Eastern Sea.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") To summon the ghost of any dead person—or even that of a living person, according to some authorities,—it was only necessary to kindle some of the incense, and to pronounce certain words, while keeping the mind fixed upon the memory of that person.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, in the smoke of the incense, the remembered face and form would appear.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") In many old Japanese and Chinese books mention is made of a famous story about this incense,—a story of the Chinese Emperor Wu, of the Han dynasty.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") When the Emperor had lost his beautiful favorite, the Lady Li, he sorrowed so much that fears were entertained for his reason.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") But all efforts made to divert his mind from the thought of her proved unavailing.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") One day he ordered some Spirit-Recalling-Incense to be procured, that he might summon her from the dead.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") His counsellors prayed him to forego his purpose, declaring that the vision could only intensify his grief.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") But he gave no heed to their advice, and himself performed the rite,—kindling the incense, and keeping his mind fixed upon the memory of the Lady Li.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") Presently, within the thick blue smoke arising from the incense, the outline, of a feminine form became visible.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") It defined, took tints of life, slowly became luminous, and the Emperor recognized the form of his beloved At first the apparition was faint; but it soon became distinct as a living person, and seemed with each moment to grow more beautiful.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") The Emperor whispered to the vision, but received no answer.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") He called aloud, and the presence made no sign.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") Then unable to control himself, he approached the censer.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") But the instant that he touched the smoke, the phantom trembled and vanished.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") Japanese artists are still occasionally inspired by the legends of the Hangon-ho.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") Only last year, in Tōkyō, at an exhibition of new kakemono, I saw a picture of a young wife kneeling before an alcove wherein the smoke of the magical incense was shaping the shadow of the absent husband.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") \[6\][67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8128/3/page/2/) - ← previous: [Record of a Kō-kwai.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8128/2/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8128/3/page/2/) - ↑ back to [In Ghostly Japan](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8128/)