Shoyeido
Shoyeido (Japanese: 松榮堂、松栄堂 Hepburn: Shōeidō) is one of the oldest traditional Japanese incense companies, established more than 300 years ago, producing high quality, natural incense. The company is based in Kyoto.[1]
Name
The name "Shoyeido" (Shōeidō) is derived from the three characters Shō, Ei, and Dō.
- Shō means "Pine tree"
- Ei is the ancient sound meaning "Prosperity"
- Dō is a store or company.
The Shō is from the traditional Sho Chiku Bai trio of shō (松 pine tree), chiku (竹 bamboo) and bai (梅 plum tree), which are used as a traditional Japanese grading system, to represent varying degrees of quality. In this grading system, shō represents the highest grade or quality.
Stores
Shoyeido has 7 retail stores. There are two in Kyōto, three in Tōkyō, one in Sapporo, and one in Boulder, Colorado, USA.
Incense
Shoyeido carries several series of incense. The two main series are the "Daily Incense" series (京線香 Kyō-senkō) and the "Premium Incense" series (高級線香 Kōkyū-senkō). The following tables are ordered from least expensive to most expensive.
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Great Origin | 大元香 | Daigen-kō |
| Eternal Treasure | 寶永香 | Hōei-kō |
| Orchid | 蘭華 | Ranka |
| Kyoto Autumn Leaves | 京にしき | Kyō-nishiki |
| Moss Garden | のきば | Nokiba |
| Golden Pavilion | 金閣 | Kin-kaku |
| Kyoto Cherry Blossom | 京桜 | Kyō-zakura |
| Five Hills | 五山 | Go-zan |
| White Cloud | 白雲 | Haku-un |
| Circle | 円明 | En-mei |
| Fresh Breeze | 清風 | Sei-fū |
| Low smoke series | ||
| Silhouette | ほのか | Honoka |
| Gossamer | かすみ | Kasumi |
| Illusions | おぼろ | Oboro |
| English | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Friend of Pine | 松の友 | Matsu-no-tomo |
| King's Aroma | 王奢香 | Ōja-kō |
| Pride of Kyoto | 京自慢 | Kyō-jiman |
| Beckoning Spring | 春陽 | Shun-yō |
| Gentle Smile | 微笑 | Mishō |
| Southern Wind | 南薫 | Nan-kun |
| Refinement | 雅芳 | Ga-hō |
| Five Clouds | 五雲 | Go-un |
| Infinity | 妙芳 | Myō-hō |
| Translucent Path | 正覚 | Shō-kaku |
See also
- Kōdō (Japanese Incense Ceremony)
References
- ↑ "Company History". Shoyeido Incense Company. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
External links
- Shoyeido website (available in English and Japanese)