NEWS

2026-04-13The Art of Listening to Scent: KODO 2026 in Los Angeles

From March 6 to 15, 2026, the U.S.-Japan Kodo Initiative, with the support of Nippon Kodo, hosted a highly successful series of thirteen Oie-ryu Kodo (the Way of Incense) ceremonies across three prominent venues in Los Angeles: the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC), the Institute for Art and Olfaction (IAO), and Tortoise General Store (TGS). Every session reached full capacity, demonstrating that the profound interest in Japanese incense culture observed in Paris has now extended significantly to the Los Angeles community.

Under the theme "Listening to Scent," participants were introduced to the 500-year-old tradition of Kodo, a practice that elevates fragrance appreciation into a meditative art form. The sessions focused on "Genji-ko," a traditional incense-matching game inspired by the 11th-century literary masterpiece The Tale of Genji. Participants practiced the refined ritual of "listening" to rare aromatic woods, identifying subtle olfactory nuances with focused attention and quiet presence. A 2-minute and 30-second commemorative film capturing these serene moments has been produced, showcasing Kodo’s enduring relevance as a practice of mindfulness and sensory awakening in the contemporary world.