ChuiWoon HyangDang Da Bo Incense Sticks 60 g – 14 cm

Da Bo by ChuiWoon HyangDang is a Korean incense with a distinctive spicy-woody fragrance composition. The name Da Bo – also written Dabo – can be translated approximately as “Many Treasures”, a fitting name for a blend that combines various aromatic plants and spices.

The composition consists of pine (Pinus koraiensis), turmeric (Curcuma longa), cinnamon and other spices. This creates a fragrance profile that differs noticeably from many Japanese incense sticks: warm, spicy and aromatic, with a characteristic pine note and an earthy, slightly dry depth.

Korean incense with a character of its own

Korean incense sticks are considerably less well known outside Korea than Japanese incense. At first glance, the two traditions may appear similar, with their slender sticks, carefully designed packaging and use of classic aromatic ingredients. Their fragrance profiles, however, often differ significantly. Korean compositions make use, among other ingredients, of pine, spices and plants that play a particular role in Korean fragrance and herbal traditions.

Da Bo is a good example of this distinctive style: rather than placing sandalwood or agarwood at the centre of the composition, this blend combines pine with turmeric, cinnamon and spices. The result is a distinctive fragrance that clearly sets itself apart from many classic Japanese wood-based compositions.

The tradition of incense in Korea

Incense has a long cultural history in Korea. One notable testament to this tradition is the famous gilt-bronze incense burner from the 6th-century Baekje Kingdom, which is now regarded as one of the significant archaeological testimonies to Korean incense culture. Modern manufacturers such as ChuiWoon HyangDang continue this distinctive fragrance tradition through contemporary incense compositions.

This version contains approximately 60 g, or around 120 incense sticks. The sticks are approximately 14 cm long and have a burning time of around 40 minutes.

Da Bo is made by ChuiWoon HyangDang in South Korea.