Kodo
/ˈkoʊdoʊ/noun
A Japanese traditional art and ceremony involving the appreciation and identification of incense fragrances.
Did you know?In Kōdō incense games, participants may identify fragrances without seeing them, treating aromatic woods as carriers of memory, refinement, and contemplative presence.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
香
“Fragrance, aromatic substance, or incense”
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
道
“A way, path, teaching, or method”
Medieval Chinese
Middle Chinese
香道
“The way or practice of incense”
8th Century
Japanese
香道 (kōdō)
“The Japanese discipline of appreciating incense, transmitted alongside Buddhist incense culture”
15th–16th Century
Japanese
香道 (kōdō)
“A formalized Japanese art associated with incense ceremonies and fragrance games”
Modern English
English
kōdō / kodo
“The Japanese art of incense appreciation and ceremony”