- The word “perfume” comes from the Latin per fumum, meaning “through smoke”—a fitting origin for something so deeply tied to ritual and atmosphere. One stormy night, when the power went out, I lit a stick of incense, put on some music by candlelight, and found myself revisiting an old scent ritual from my teenage years—one that blended fragrance, light, and sound into something almost sacred.
Join me in this video as I explore the intersection of incense and music, conducting a Japanese Kodo incense ceremony where you “listen to scent,” unintentionally creating a gentle ASMR atmosphere in the process. I’ll also share my favorite incense varieties, revisit some iconic incense perfumes (including Kyoto by Comme des Garçons), and profess my lifelong adoration for Cocteau Twins—a band whose ethereal sound feels like perfume in musical form.
In this video, you’ll experience:
- A look at my favorite incense varieties and how they shape my space
- A Japanese Kodo incense ceremony, where scent is “listened to” rather than just smelled
- The atmospheric magic of Cocteau Twins, a band that sounds like perfume
- A deep dive into Kyoto by Comme des Garçons and other incense-infused perfumes
- A reflection on the role of scent in personal rituals
I’m realizing just how deeply fragrance shapes my everyday rituals. Do you have any scented rituals in your life? Let me know in the comments!
Incenses mentioned in this video:
- Magnolia by Auroshikha
- Atelier de Balthus by Astier de Villatte
- Encre de Thé by Mariage Freres
- Sho Ran Koh by Kyukyodo
#PerfumeRituals #IncenseMagic #KodoCeremony #ScentAndMemory #CocteauTwins #KyotoCommeDesGarcons #AtmosphericPerfume #IncensePerfume #FragranceJourney #ASMR