This month’s flower　…  Lotus

The Lotus is a flower that blooms every year in Japan around the month of July.

The Lotus flower is often seen blooming in clusters around shrines and in lakes at various parks. This flower has been a favorite of the Japanese people since long ago.

In Japan, there are a group of representative fragrances of kneaded incense called “The 6 Varieties of Incense”. During the graceful dynasty culture of the Heian Era, the nobles came up with 6 fragrances based on Japan’s sense of beauty as well as the impressions of the seasons. These 6 fragrances are also mentioned in one of Japan’s most prominent pieces of literature “Genji Monogatari” written by Murasaki Shikibu.

One of “The 6 Varieties of Incense” is the Lotus flower fragrance. The Lotus fragrance is called “Kayo” and is made up of a special blend of Aloeswood, Sandalwood, and Turmeric. This fragrance is represented as the lotus flower fragrance that is especially fragrant during the summer.  “Kayo” characterizes the lotus flower that blooms along the waterside during the summer, which has a light and refreshing fragrance.