Shoyeido Miyako Hai – White Incense Ash 40 g

Shoyeido Miyako Hai (みやこ灰) is a white Japanese incense ash for use in incense vessels. Produced by Shoyeido, the long-established incense manufacturer from Kyoto, it provides a versatile base for various methods of Japanese incense burning.

The ash is placed in a heat-resistant incense vessel. It is suitable for holding incense sticks, burning incense cones and traditional incense methods in which aromatic woods or other incense materials are heated using incense charcoal.

Versatile use in Japanese incense vessels

Unlike fragrant incense materials, Miyako Hai is not itself an incense ingredient but an accessory used when burning incense. The loose ash offers several possibilities:

• Incense sticks: The sticks can be inserted directly into the ash to keep them upright.
• Incense cones: The ash provides a base on which incense cones can be burned.
• Aromatic woods: Small pieces of agarwood or sandalwood can release their fragrance through the heat of incense charcoal using traditional incense methods.
• Japanese incense blends: Miyako Hai is also suitable for use with kneaded incense (Nerikō) and pressed incense shapes (Inkō).

Soradaki – traditional Japanese incense heating

Incense ash has a particular role in Soradaki (空薫), a traditional Japanese method of releasing fragrance by heating aromatic materials.

In this method, glowing incense charcoal is placed in or on the ash. The resulting heat is used to warm small pieces of aromatic wood or traditional Japanese incense blends, releasing their fragrant compounds. Depending on the technique used, the incense materials are positioned on or above the heated ash.

In Soradaki, the emphasis is not on directly burning the aromatic ingredients but on releasing their fragrance through heat. This method is particularly used for precious incense woods and traditional Japanese fragrance compositions.

The difference between Soradaki and Monkō

Soradaki differs from Monkō (聞香), the attentive practice of "listening" to the fragrance of aromatic woods. Monkō is closely associated with the Japanese art of fragrance, Kōdō, in which the subtle aromatic nuances of selected woods are consciously appreciated.

Shoyeido offers a separate incense ash for this particular form of fragrance appreciation, called Monkō-yō Kōro Hai. Miyako Hai, by contrast, is intended for versatile use in incense vessels, particularly for Soradaki.

Care and reuse

The incense ash can be reused several times. Once it has cooled completely, residues from incense sticks, charcoal and other incense materials should be removed regularly.

To maintain its loose texture, the ash can occasionally be stirred gently and, if necessary, carefully dried. If too much residue has accumulated or the ash has become heavily impregnated with other odours, replacing it is recommended.

Product information

• Manufacturer: Shoyeido, Kyoto, Japan
• Product name: Miyako Hai (みやこ灰)
• Product type: white incense ash
• Use: for incense sticks, incense cones, aromatic woods, Nerikō, Inkō and Soradaki
• Contents: 40 g
• Packaging: sealed bag
• Special feature: older packaging size containing 40 g

Note: Use only in a suitable heat-resistant incense vessel. Never leave glowing incense charcoal or burning incense unattended. Before cleaning or reusing the ash, ensure that all remaining embers have been completely extinguished.