Japanese Shoyeido Tale of Genji Incense set - Utakata

Utakata Kyoto Incense Set

Four seasonal fragrances inspired by classical Japanese poetry.

This incense set brings together four delicate fragrances drawn from imagery found in The Tale of Genji and classical Japanese aesthetics. Each scent is named after poetic expressions used to describe flowers, seasons, and subtle emotional states.

Tarubi (Purple) — A fragrance inspired by the elegant presence of narcissus flowers

Utsuroi (Red) — A fragrance inspired by quietly blooming plum blossoms

Kahori (Yellow) — A clean, gently sweet, and refreshing fragrance

Hachisu (Green) — A fragrance inspired by the pure and graceful lotus flower

The set includes 20 stick-type incense (5 of each scent) and a simple incense holder, making it ideal for daily use or as a considered gift.

The Tale of Genji
First written in the early 11th century, The Tale of Genji is widely regarded as one of the most important works in world literature. Written by the noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu for the imperial court, it offers an intimate portrait of life, beauty, and emotion in Japan over a thousand years ago.

Often described as the world’s first true novel, The Tale of Genji is remarkable for its psychological depth and quiet attention to human relationships. Rather than heroic deeds, it explores subtle shifts in feeling, seasonal change, courtly aesthetics, and the fleeting nature of beauty — values that continue to shape Japanese culture today.

Shoyeido’s Genji Series draws inspiration from this world. Each fragrance is designed to evoke the atmosphere, elegance, and emotional tone of the Heian court, translating scenes from the story into gentle, layered incense. The result is not a literal retelling, but an impression — a sensory bridge to a refined and contemplative past.

Shoyeido Kyoto
Shoyeido was founded in the early 1700s by the Hata family and has continued through twelve generations dedicated to the craft. They hand select the finest natural ingredients to create incense cherished in temples and homes across Japan.

Japanese Incense is formed into solid sticks without a bamboo core like some Indian and Chinese incense sticks. If you have never used this type before. It works the same way, you just need some kind of incense holder that has a small hole in it. Or you can use an incense burner which is traditionally filled with ash and you stick the incense into the ash.