Shoyeido Kyonishiki – 490 Japanese Incense Sticks

Shoyeido Kyonishiki (京にしき) is a traditional Japanese incense from Kyoto, belonging to Shoyeido's classic Daily Incense collection, also known as Nature & Tradition. The large box contains 490 short incense sticks with a gentle, warm sandalwood fragrance. Inspired by Kyoto's vibrant autumn colours, the composition combines Japanese incense tradition with a subtle, carefully balanced fragrance.

Gentle sandalwood with a natural sweetness

The fragrance of Kyonishiki is characterised by a soft, harmonious sandalwood note. Shoyeido describes the Japanese composition as mild and subtle, with a pleasant natural sweetness and a calm, balanced character.

When burned, the incense releases a warm, delicately woody fragrance that does not rely on intense or heavy aromatic notes. Instead, the emphasis is on the balanced combination of sandalwood and other aromatic ingredients. A gentle sweetness rounds off the fragrance without overshadowing its classic woody character.

For the international Kyoto Autumn Leaves version, Shoyeido identifies cinnamon alongside sandalwood as a characteristic ingredient. A corresponding spicy nuance may form part of Kyonishiki's overall fragrance identity. However, the exact composition of the Japanese version and the intensity of individual spice notes have not been documented.

Kyonishiki – inspired by autumn in Kyoto

The name Kyonishiki (京にしき) evokes the magnificent autumn landscapes of Kyoto, Japan's former imperial capital. The wooded hills of Arashiyama are particularly renowned for their spectacular autumn colours, when the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange and gold.

This seasonal atmosphere provides the inspiration for Kyonishiki. The composition is not intended to reproduce the actual scent of autumn leaves, but rather to express the distinctive mood of this landscape through a warm, harmonious incense fragrance.

The Japanese packaging, decorated with colourful maple leaves, also reflects this theme and emphasises the connection between fragrance, nature and the changing seasons.

Traditional Japanese incense craftsmanship

Shoyeido is one of Japan's long-established incense manufacturers. The company's history dates back to 1705. In Kyoto, an important centre of Japanese incense culture, aromatic woods and botanical fragrance ingredients have been blended into carefully balanced incense compositions for centuries.

The Daily Incense collection includes a variety of classic fragrance compositions for regular use. Within this range, Kyonishiki is distinguished by its mild sandalwood character and its poetic connection to Kyoto's autumn landscape.

Large box containing 490 short incense sticks

This Japanese version contains 490 incense sticks without a bamboo core, measuring approximately 13.5 cm in length. The average burning time is around 30 minutes per stick.

The large pack is particularly suitable for those who use Kyonishiki regularly and prefer a generous supply. The shorter sticks offer a shorter burning time than the longer Japanese version, which is also available.

In Japan, Kyonishiki is also sold as an individual roll containing 35 longer incense sticks. These measure approximately 22 cm in length and burn for around 50 minutes. Both Japanese versions feature the characteristic very dark grey-green colour.

Differences from the international Kyoto Autumn Leaves version

Shoyeido also offers an international version under the name Kyo-Nishiki – Kyoto Autumn Leaves, featuring brown incense sticks. This belongs to the same traditional fragrance family and is also associated with sandalwood and cinnamon.

The Japanese version differs particularly in the colour of the sticks and the available packaging sizes. As Shoyeido does not disclose the complete formulas or blending proportions, any possible differences in composition cannot be determined more precisely.

Features of Shoyeido Kyonishiki

• Manufacturer: Shoyeido
• Collection: Daily Incense / Nature & Tradition
• Product: Kyonishiki (京にしき), Japanese version
• Made in: Kyoto, Japan
• Known principal ingredient: sandalwood
• Fragrance character: gentle, warm, woody, slightly sweet and balanced
• Colour of incense sticks: very dark grey-green
• Type: Japanese incense sticks without a bamboo core
• Contents: 490 incense sticks
• Length: approx. 13.5 cm
• Burning time: approx. 30 min per stick
• Packaging: large original box with an autumn leaves design