[Nippon Kodo Holdings Co., Ltd.] Nippon Kodo Group 450th Anniversary Incense Ceremony to be Held in Paris and Geneva Following Tokyo
Nippon Kodo Holdings Co., Ltd. Press Release: October 30, 2025 “Nippon Kodo Group 450th Anniversary Incense Ceremony” to be held in Paris and Geneva following Tokyo – Promoting Japan’s incense culture, “Kodo,” in Europe, the home of perfume – As part of the group’s 450th anniversary celebrations, Nippon Kodo Holdings Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) held the Nippon Kodo Group 450th Anniversary Incense Ceremony in Paris, France, and Geneva, Switzerland, from September 10th to 18th, 2025. This incense ceremony was made possible through collaboration with the Kodo Association in France and the Association Suisse-Japon, section Suisse romande in Switzerland.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-041acf10c0d27ae738daababaa94606e-3900×2596.jpg The Japan Cultural Institute in Paris near the Eiffel Tower The venues were the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris (Maison de la culture du Japon a Paris), the Nippon Kodo Group’s ESTEBAN Paris showroom, and Geneva’s historic General Dufour residence (Maison The events were held at the Dufour venues, welcoming participants in prestigious settings.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-ccde6e2829c7187b32a53f441b09e990-2048×1363.jpg 450th Anniversary Incense Ceremony and Kodo Explanation
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-0be83528784ab89156c54d95026ac503-2048×1363.jpg The incense party begins
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-f316bef0cf164ab68dbcbde12b8ccf15-2048×1363.jpg The censer of trial rotates
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-f19763ed1a9f63403d74a2434202710a-2048×1363.jpg The incense burner rotates The incense ceremony at the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris was solemnly conducted by Masters Obata Chōkō and Hosokawa Takayoshi of the Oie-ryu school of incense, with the cooperation of the Oie-ryu staff and the institute. Participants experienced the profound world of incense through the new Kumiko “Reishunko” created by the head of the Sanjo Saigyosui family to commemorate the 450th anniversary, as well as “Momijiko” for the autumn season and the famous incense “Rakoku Shirabe.” The event also featured a new “Tale of Genji Incense Burner” by Hatamatsu Touen Co., Ltd., a Nabeshima ware maker in Saga Prefecture. To conclude the event, participants were treated to a commemorative Junmai Ginjo sake “Akigusumi,” brewed by Miyaizumi Meijo Co., Ltd. in Aizu-Wakamatsu, in which Nippon Kodo participated in the development.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-e15896698f174aefd436d703d7bed845-1798×2700.jpg Participants listen intently to the scents
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-4c8e284c815922b21f331e47d6615be3-1798×2700.jpg Many participants associate it with meditation.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-d997efbecaf733c79d4b0ed836c64de3-2048×1363.jpg Participants writing answers
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-93747559c13927ea82fce821bd928656-3900×2596.jpg Scent Notes A total of approximately 250 people from France and Switzerland participated during the event. In particular, on September 13th, a special fragrance ceremony was held at the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris for members of France’s political and business circles, entitled “The Special Ceremony of the Kodô Foundation – In celebration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of the Nippon Kodô Foundation,” which attracted a great deal of attention. As France is the home of perfume, many local perfumers and members of the fragrance industry also attended, confirming the high level of interest.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-d671adf968f7133e5d93ac0a7d1f1810-3900×2597.jpg Kaori carefully places the incense sticks.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-af2212c8765bbb2063c9f1dabb7efa33-2048×1363.jpg Writing reveals the answer
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-e4f46e41f15d7784743f3578998e70a4-1798×2700.jpg Handbook for recording answers
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-e240877a95fdbb3756de67cf3708e4e7-1797×2700.jpg Participants writing down answers and waiting for presentations This marks the sixth time the event has been held in France since 1996, and with the launch of monthly training sessions by the Kodo Association, Japanese incense culture is steadily expanding. In addition to being a global center of perfume culture, the recent growing interest in various Japanese cultures, as well as meditation and mindfulness, is thought to be behind the growing attention on kodo as a spiritual culture.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-11c9ccf1cf002ba0244556b2a57c20cd-2048×1363.jpg Announcement of results
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-17218d6101a632ecc5edf086bccfeec3-3900×2596.jpg Participants reviewing the hosho
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-68e1c4a480c2035f792735c9ffe3e151-3900×2596.jpg Hosho
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-088d4b1bcbdd37481012452a574312ff-3900×2597.jpg Komoto hands over the gift
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-1ce8c1525aab0646bfc1b20f5f23a0e3-1798×2700.jpg Participants with the most correct answers were presented with a certificate of authenticity.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-57498be5f792b7920ef1c766d88ddb97-1798×2700.jpg Participants receiving commemorative hosho paper The Nippon Kodo Group will use this success as a springboard to further expand Kodo We intend to further deepen our collaboration with the Association and, using France as a strategic base, spread Japan’s rich incense culture throughout Europe.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-111b4a7a6085f0ae4332a618936f842d-3900×2596.jpg Hataman Touen’s new work: Nabeshima ware “The Tale of Genji Incense Burner”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-318b0dd1fdadb12d6d021e72f0b63f3b-3900×2596.jpg A commemorative Junmai Ginjo sake, “Akigasumi,” was served. This commemorative incense ceremony was more than just a simple anniversary event; it was a groundbreaking event, demonstrating that in Paris, the center of Western fragrance culture known as perfume, the Japanese spiritual fragrance culture of “Kodo” has been highly regarded and embraced by many people, including politicians, business leaders, and fragrance professionals. Against the backdrop of growing global interest in mindfulness, the deep spirituality and cultural value of Kodo has the potential to open up new frontiers in Europe. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-5d7c5441c54d947a32e19324c2a7dadb-3900×2925.jpg ESTEBAN store, a group company, in the Marais district of Paris.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-20735c26482276e4ce851bc0675405c5-3900×2925.jpg An incense ceremony will be held at the ESTEBAN showroom on the second floor of the store.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-08f4bd0039e606b0c573ee825ec3357a-2364×1773.jpg General Dufour’s House, a Historic Building in Geneva
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/43904/48/43904-48-138b148911a3a2074f03c0fa1951c636-1477×1108.jpg Ambassador Atsuyuki Oike, Kodo Association and Association
Suisse-Japon, section Suisse romande, Oieryu Kodo, and Nippon Kodo staff ◆ Video of the “Nippon Kodo Group 450th Anniversary Incense Ceremony” held at the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris (horizontal) https://img.youtube.com/vi/bzqO91McHbI/sddefault.jpg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzqO91McHbI ◆ Video of the “Nippon Kodo Group 450th Anniversary Incense Ceremony” at the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris (vertical)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shorts