Shoyeido in Boulder

Incense will be one of the regular topics (labels) of this blog. In fact, it was another blog on incense (the mighty fine folks at the Olfactory Rescue Service) that got me thinking of my own blog. I was also spreading my interests across several websites, so I wanted to organize everything in one place. So, let's start with some incense.



I made one of my regular buying trips (more on those later) to Boulder, Colorado yesterday. I've recently been trying Japanese incense and it turns out the corporate headquarters of Shoyeido in the US is in Boulder. They don't make any incense here, it is all imported from Japan, but they do seem to be shipping out of Boulder. The lobby has a small retail space, and this is where I spent about an hour, sniffing and sampling. The prices were identical to the prices of everywhere else, Japanese incense companies seem to control them with an iron hand. So in that respect I was a little disappointed. I knew quite a bit about the Shoyeido line before I ever walked in, more than the very polite and friendly Asian woman who greeted me. For instance, I love Sei-fu, and wanted to try its companion En-mei. Next, I was very interested in the Shoyeido premium line and Horin line, so purchased samplers of each. I was already over my spending limit, but luckily Shoyeido was quite generous with small, free sample packets. I grabbed everything offered, especially if it had agarwood or aloeswood. The free samples definitely made the visit worthwhile. I also spotted some of the discontinued Shoyeido incense heaters on display, apparently the only ones left in stock. I was not ready to plunk down the $179, though I think they would have sold me one if I had asked. I departed with a bag full of incense, and even though most were packed tight, the aroma filled my car the rest of the day. It must have been that one stick of kyara infused Sho-kaku.





I'm only on my fourth stick of En-mei, but will post first impressions. The ingredients list is: sandalwood, patchouli, clove and spices. I can't help but compare to my favorite (so far) Shoyeido Sei-fu. It seems to have a similar base (the "spice" maybe), but otherwise En-mei lacks the penetrating sharpness I like about Sei-fu. It lazily floats around my head with its hazy mix of sandalwood and patchouli, and seems closer to an Indian blend. There is that base though, and I think that tips the scales to the Japanese style. Pleasant enough, but not a stand-out for Shoyeido at this point. Incense has a way of sneaking up on you, though, and a roll of sticks later I might have completely different feelings.