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A Japanese Take on a Western Classic Minorien's Frankincense Fu-in is one of the more unusual offerings in the world of Japanese incense. While most Japanese incense houses focus on sandalwood, aloeswood, and traditional blends, Minorien chose to build an entire incense around frankincense resin, a material far more commonly associated with churches, monasteries, and Middle Eastern incense traditions than Kyoto workshops. The incense is part of Minorien's well-known Fu-in range, a collection that includes Sandalwood, Aloeswood, Kyara, and Frankincense. The name 'Fu-in' roughly refers to the lingering impression or after-effect left by a fragrance, and that idea feels particularly...

Best Incense for Cleansing (2026 Guide) Incense has been used for centuries in spiritual rituals, meditation practices, and homes around the world to cleanse negative energy and create a calmer, more grounded atmosphere. Whether you're cleansing a room after a stressful day, preparing for meditation, or simply refreshing the energy of your home, choosing the best incense for cleansing can make a huge difference. But not all incense is ideal for cleansing. Many cheap incense sticks are heavily perfumed with synthetic fragrances that create a harsh, artificial scent rather than the clean, grounding aroma traditionally associated with energetic cleansing and...

Inside the Anubhav Collection At Lotus Zen, we’re always searching for incense that offers something distinctive beyond the familiar profiles found across much of the modern incense market. We’re excited to introduce a new incense house to the UK: Anubhav, a respected Bangalore incense maker known for high-quality hand-rolled sticks and an unusually diverse catalogue of fragrances. Based in Bangalore, one of India’s historic centres of incense production, Anubhav creates incense rooted in traditional Indian masala craftsmanship while exploring a more refined and layered fragrant style. Their range moves comfortably between classic temple-style blends, smooth florals, rich woods, patchouli compositions,...

What is Sandalwood? Sandalwood incense is made from the fragrant heartwood of the sandalwood tree, a material that’s been used in incense for centuries across India and Japan. Unlike many incense ingredients, sandalwood is naturally aromatic so it doesn’t rely on added fragrance oils to produce its scent. In traditional incense making, sandalwood can be used on its own or as a base for blends with resins, spices, and other woods. Because of this, it’s one of the most common and important materials in incense. You’ll find sandalwood incense in both Japanese and Indian styles, each with a slightly different...

A Traditional Blend Shoyeido is one of the oldest incense houses in Japan, with a history going back over 300 years. Baika-ju, meaning 'plum blossom,' is one of their long-standing blends and reflects that traditional Kyoto style. Plum blossom carries a bit of cultural weight in Japan, often associated with early spring and quiet resilience. This incense draws on that idea rather than trying to recreate a literal floral scent, sitting firmly within Shoyeido’s more classic, everyday range. First Impressions Shoyeido’s Baika-ju is marketed as a plum blossom incense, but like a lot of traditional blends, it doesn’t smell overtly...