Embracing Traditional Incense Crafting, Restoring the Graceful Essence of Antiquity

In the pursuit of one's career, finding joy in one's work is a blessing, but discovering a passion within that work is even more delightful.

Before encountering Zhou Keyu, the artisan behind "Mingru" ancient incense crafting, rumors circulated about a young enthusiast who enjoyed mingling with the elderly, sparking curiosity about this intriguing individual.

Only upon meeting him in person and engaging in conversation did I realize that his penchant for mingling with the older generation was rooted in profound knowledge and experience.

Zhou Keyu was born in the Zhoushan Archipelago, situated in the southeast of the Zhoushan Islands, named after Mount Putuo, known as the "Pure Land of Buddhism."

He majored in the restoration and authentication of cultural relics in college and later became a lecturer at the same institution.

The influence of Buddhism, particularly his exposure to it at Mount Putuo, played a significant role in his affinity for "fragrance."

In Buddhist culture, incense holds great significance.

Buddhism regards incense as a medium for attaining wisdom, using it to convey teachings and Buddhist principles.

Offering incense is an integral part of Buddhist rituals, featured in various activities such as chanting, meditation sessions, bathing ceremonies, consecrations, ordinations, and releasing captive animals.

Both laypersons and monks use incense during their daily practices, while temples are often filled with the fragrance of incense, creating a conducive environment for spiritual cultivation.

Despite enduring the tumult of the Cultural Revolution, Mount Putuo, one of China's four renowned Buddhist mountains, still preserves numerous Buddhist scriptures and relics.

"The remnants of incense burners and the fragments of local temple incense recipes recorded in the scriptures of temples like Pujisi should be considered my 'enlightened teachers' on the path of incense crafting," Zhou remarked.

His interest in incense stems from his academic background and professional expertise in artifact restoration and authentication.

Throughout his studies and career, Zhou has encountered a plethora of cultural relics, among which incense utensils and implements, though niche, hold a distinct allure.

"What fascinates me about ancient incense utensils and implements is not only their profound historical significance but also the olfactory associations they evoke. Each time I come across an incense vessel, I envision the type of incense material it once contained and the aroma it emitted, based on its shape, material, and era," Zhou explained.

While it's relatively easy to glean information about the usage, occasions, and intricacies of artifacts such as jade and ceramics from classical texts and documents, incense utensils evoke images of their use in Buddhist rituals and literati gatherings, residing mainly in our collective consciousness.

"Without the incense materials and fragrances, these exquisite incense utensils unearthed from the earth would become mere vessels. Should these artifacts be relegated to glass cases in museums for admiration only?" Zhou pondered.

According to Zhou, merely replicating the incense utensils and settings from ancient times falls short of truly preserving ancient culture and perpetuating the refined lifestyles of our ancestors. The essence of incense lies not just in the vessels but in the fragrance itself.

"We must not only admire the vessels but also understand the scents."

But how do we discern the aromas that ancient people encountered when using incense?

To unravel this mystery, Zhou embarked on a journey to recreate incense using ancient methods.

Drawing from firsthand materials obtained while restoring ancient manuscripts and consulting other renowned incense classics, Zhou discovered a fundamental difference between ancient and modern incense usage: while contemporary incense primarily consists of single fragrances like agarwood and sandalwood, ancient incense development was far more elaborate, with "compound incense" prevailing during the prosperous Tang and Song dynasties.

"It was a crucial period in the development of Chinese incense culture, making 'compound incense' the true essence of Chinese incense."

Guided by ancient incense formulae found in incense classics such as Zhou Jiazhou's "Incense Ride," Zhou, through his own interpretation and relentless experimentation, crafted several ancient incense blends, including Princess Shouyang's Plum Blossom Incense, Emperor Huizong's Royal Incense, and Su Dongpo's Contemplative Incense, as well as improved versions of ancient formulas like Moschus and Ink Fragrance.

"Princess Shouyang's Plum Blossom Incense," created by Princess Shouyang of the Southern Dynasties, is one of the thirteen renowned fragrances she passed down. Her formulations of "Plum Blossom Incense," "Spring Message in the Snow," and "Spring News" were praised by generations of incense craftsmen as the "Three Superb Plum Fragrances."

"Emperor Huizong's Royal Incense," created by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, is composed of agarwood, sandalwood, musk, cinnabar, and other ingredients, combining the five elements and the Eight Trigrams. It was used in the court Taoist rituals of the time.

"Su Dongpo's Contemplative Incense" was formulated during the Northern Song Dynasty, when the great literary figure Su Shi was transferred to Hangzhou due to the "Wutai Poetry" incident. Amidst various emotions, he concocted this incense using ingredients such as sandalwood, galangal, clove, borneol, benzoin, cardamom, and vetiver. This incense represents Su Shi's contemplation and introspection following his ups and downs in life, exuding a simple yet profound aroma, reminiscent of sweetness tinged with a hint of bitterness, after experiencing life's trials and tribulations.

"Moschus Incense," an adaptation of ancient formulas during the Ming Dynasty, first appeared in the notes of the Ming literatus Tu Long's "Extra Thoughts on Exams." Composed of cypress, calamus, and white lithospermum, it serves to prevent bookworms and is suitable for burning in study rooms and on bookshelves.

It is said that the reason why the ancient books in the Tianyi Pavilion in Ningbo remain free from bookworms after a century is precisely because of the protection afforded by this incense.

"Musk Incense," on the other hand, is a modified incense formula Zhou developed to cater to modern preferences in fragrance appreciation.

"It is the first incense in our 'Twelve Flower Deities' series. Each of the twelve flowers represents a deity, corresponding to the twelve months. In the traditional Twelve Flower Deities, some flowers were replaced with others due to their fragrance, resulting in the creation of the new Twelve Flower Deities," Zhou explained.

These incense blends represent some of the most representative classic incense formulas throughout history. In the process of restoring and refining these formulas, Zhou experienced immense joy and a sense of accomplishment. Many of his clients are drawn to his incense blends due to their authentic aromas.

"I remember my first client vividly. At that time, I often brought my self-made incense to my seniors for their appraisal and feedback (which is perhaps why many say I enjoy 'playing' with the elderly). Once, during a visit to the Wu Family Residence in Hangzhou, I brought along 'Su Dongpo's Contemplative Incense' and several other varieties. Later, a stranger, unfamiliar to me, found his way here, saying that he found this particular fragrance 'right,' unlike the common scents available in the market, and traced it back to us. Subsequently, we discussed the ingredients, aroma, top notes, heart notes, and base notes of 'Su Dongpo's Contemplative Incense.' He found it impressive and placed an order," Zhou recounted.

Guided by the knowledge acquired through teaching and validated by his own practical endeavors, Zhou continues to tread the path of ancient incense crafting, constantly refining his skills and understanding of ancient incense formulas.

"In fact, my approach to ancient incense crafting involves a great deal of reflection and precision. The final formulas and proportions are determined through repeated experimentation, contemplation, and feedback from experts. While many ancient incense formulas remain unchanged, adjustments have been made to the proportions of medicinal ingredients. In ancient times, incense was often used for medicinal purposes, with a higher proportion of medicinal herbs resulting in a stronger medicinal aroma. We have modified the proportions of medicinal ingredients in incense formulas to suit modern preferences."

Regarding the preservation of Chinese culture, Zhou believes that recreating an environment reminiscent of the lifestyles of ancient people fosters a deeper understanding and connection with the culture and societal norms of that era.

For instance, when ancient incense vessels are paired with incense crafted using traditional methods, the fragrant ambiance transports one back to a serene and sophisticated era, facilitating a sense of resonance with the ancients and an intuitive understanding of their culture and social customs.

May the moments spent with incense serve as opportunities for introspection, communication with our inner selves, and communion with the ancients, allowing us to experience the tranquility and serenity of the soul.