A breath of kyara conjures Japan’s aesthetic sense.
Moss, clove, vanilla, cinnamon and sandalwood echoes of five tastes:
sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, and salty.
The scent of Kyara is said to possess the five tastes: spicy, bitter, sweet, sour, and salty. Of these five, the spicy aspect is expressed with cinnamon and clove, bitterness with cacao, and sweetness with vanilla. Sourness and saltiness are subtly added using bitter orange (bergamot) and oakmoss to deepen the shadows. These five tastes are brought together with a woody core centered on sandalwood and olibanum (frankincense), blending various ingredients to create an overall sense of gentleness and warmth. It expresses the Japanese worldview symbolized by the scent of Kyara.
| Type | Oriental Woody |
|---|---|
| Top Notes | Bergamot, Coriander |
| Middle Notes | Cinnamon, Clove, Cacao, Vanilla |
| Last Notes | Olibanum, Sandalwood, Agarwood |
Kyara refers to the highest grade of agarwood (aloeswood) used in Kodo (Way of Incense) and Buddhist ceremonies.
Agarwood is the resinous heartwood formed by trees of the Aquilaria family, native to Southeast Asia, to protect themselves from injury. It releases a unique fragrance when heated.
It is said to have been introduced to Japan along with Buddhism in the 6th century. The Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) records that a huge piece of fragrant wood drifted ashore on Awaji Island and was presented to Empress Suiko.
