Sumi Ink, Koto no Kou Incense, 30 Sticks

At a glance

• Inspired by the distinctive smell associated with freshly prepared sumi calligraphy ink
• Sandalwood, musk and borneol create a dry, clear scent rather than a floral perfume
• One of the most unusual fragrance concepts in the Koto no Kou collection

Sumi Ink is difficult to understand from the name alone, which is exactly what makes it interesting.

The fragrance is inspired by sumi used in Japanese calligraphy. Kousaido blends sandalwood, musk and borneol to create something clear and musky with both weight and transparency.

It is not intended to smell like smoke or burnt charcoal. Sandalwood provides the woody body, musk deepens it, and borneol gives the composition its cleaner, cooler edge.

That makes Sumi one of the strongest alternatives in the collection for someone who does not want flowers or fruit. Compared with Ancient Capital, it is less sweet; compared with Bamboo, it is darker and more musky.

The paulownia box also suits this type of incense particularly well, keeping the 30 short sticks together and protected between uses.