Vintage Japanese Natural Gourd Incense Powder Holder

Sale price$75.00

Dimensions: 3-1/2 h

Offered is a vintage hand-finished and polished hard-shell gourd container with a stopper to hold incense body powders. It demonstrated beautiful Japanese artistry and functional design and was used in religious ceremonies to purify worshipers, officiants, and the religious space itself. Powder Incense containers were attached to a cord to prevent them from falling and firmly positioned on top of the sash. Powdered incense was considered "cleansing" (Kurenjingu) and was used on the palms, head, and body. Such containers are solely designed to keep the powder fresh and dispense just the right amount at the desires of the carrier. 

Along with glorious statues, ritual objects, and religious texts and scholarship, incense arrived in Japan with Buddhism in the sixth century. Japanese incense has been used to purify, cleanse, and unwind and particularly used for its calming fragrance (kaori) for thousands of years. Even today, if you visit certain temples in Japan Incense is still used to cleanse religious spaces as well as minds. The fragrance is deeply connected to the brain, especially to memories, so making a habit of using incense during meditating or when in a stressful situation is an excellent way to get into the right headspace.

Condition: Excellent condition and beautiful Japanese artistry and functional design. Retains the original craft/workmanship, no discoloration, chipping/cracking, surface wear or structural damage.