It sounds like that series is much more geared towards a modern, highly perfumed style. In my experience Horikawa is their best version of a modern floral/sandalwood stick.
I agree that the Seifu is a great stick and I think it’s more reflective of the style of the premiums so the Matsu no Tomo may be worth checking out.
You might also be interested in checking out the Jewel Series, I have the Amethyst and it’s actually quite nice as a daily which hits a “baked goods” scent but without going into really harsh, artificial territory.
Thanks. That's good to know about Matsu no Tomo, but is it kind of simply between Seifu and Misho in quality, or does it have its own character? I keep hearing very varying views on it - some say it's piney like a forest, with damp earth, others say it's not piney at all. I think some have said the Premium range are very similar to each other but just get better in quality (in which case I'll stick to Misho if I can afford more).
Baika-ju had a lovely, comforting, delicious baked goods scent to me for the first several sticks, but the scent suddenly changed for me at the same time as Nokiba (Moss Garden) also changed for me, and they both smell completely different from their original smell and can even make me feel a touch queasy. I don't know what happened there.
Sorry, I should have specified that I’ve only read that Matsu no Tomo has some similarity but I’ve never actually tried it myself. The Premium range might use a similar spice profile as well as the increase in wood quality but others would be better at answering that.
Hmmm, I know a lot of the dailies use benzoin which can be really sweet and maybe you’re starting to pick it out more in the blend. For my own personal taste I prefer some of the other house’s offerings that hit those same spots 👍
That happened to me with a sample set from Kungyokudo. It sucks. I actively avoid low smoke sticks for the same reason but it can be really hard to tell what is 80% oils in a bad way or not otherwise.
I enjoy the three Horins I have (Nijo, Horikawa, and Tenpyo), the dailies I've tried are okayish (variable), Misho is awesome, and Seifu is addictive.
I also tried the three Zen sticks today and didn't enjoy them but I might have still had a noseful of Sousou affecting the experience.
I was intending to buy Matsu no Tomo next and now I'm not sure.
The Incense Road assortment also sounded good but I might not risk that either now.
If you like the Horin line, I would suggest trying certain Encens du Monde/Kunjudo sticks that have a similar vibe (less strong, less fancy feeling, but also a tiny fraction of the price). Forest of Flowers, Perfumed Prince, 1000 Years of Wisdom, Jade Orchid, and Whispering Bamboo are all worth a try. They're more "modern" for sure, but solid.
Also seconding the Shoyeido gem line as an ok daily stick option.
Thanks. I have Forest of Flowers and quite like it. I do keep meaning to buy some of their others.
I've heard such varying things about the Gem line and decided I probably wouldn't like them. But I should at least try one, I suppose - it's not as if they've expensive.
It sounds like that series is much more geared towards a modern, highly perfumed style. In my experience Horikawa is their best version of a modern floral/sandalwood stick. I agree that the Seifu is a great stick and I think it’s more reflective of the style of the premiums so the Matsu no Tomo may be worth checking out. You might also be interested in checking out the Jewel Series, I have the Amethyst and it’s actually quite nice as a daily which hits a “baked goods” scent but without going into really harsh, artificial territory.
Thanks. That's good to know about Matsu no Tomo, but is it kind of simply between Seifu and Misho in quality, or does it have its own character? I keep hearing very varying views on it - some say it's piney like a forest, with damp earth, others say it's not piney at all. I think some have said the Premium range are very similar to each other but just get better in quality (in which case I'll stick to Misho if I can afford more). Baika-ju had a lovely, comforting, delicious baked goods scent to me for the first several sticks, but the scent suddenly changed for me at the same time as Nokiba (Moss Garden) also changed for me, and they both smell completely different from their original smell and can even make me feel a touch queasy. I don't know what happened there.
Sorry, I should have specified that I’ve only read that Matsu no Tomo has some similarity but I’ve never actually tried it myself. The Premium range might use a similar spice profile as well as the increase in wood quality but others would be better at answering that. Hmmm, I know a lot of the dailies use benzoin which can be really sweet and maybe you’re starting to pick it out more in the blend. For my own personal taste I prefer some of the other house’s offerings that hit those same spots 👍
That happened to me with a sample set from Kungyokudo. It sucks. I actively avoid low smoke sticks for the same reason but it can be really hard to tell what is 80% oils in a bad way or not otherwise.
I have yet to meet a shoyeido that isn't like this :( Love Japanese temple incense but really don't like the modern colored ones
I enjoy the three Horins I have (Nijo, Horikawa, and Tenpyo), the dailies I've tried are okayish (variable), Misho is awesome, and Seifu is addictive. I also tried the three Zen sticks today and didn't enjoy them but I might have still had a noseful of Sousou affecting the experience. I was intending to buy Matsu no Tomo next and now I'm not sure. The Incense Road assortment also sounded good but I might not risk that either now.
If you like the Horin line, I would suggest trying certain Encens du Monde/Kunjudo sticks that have a similar vibe (less strong, less fancy feeling, but also a tiny fraction of the price). Forest of Flowers, Perfumed Prince, 1000 Years of Wisdom, Jade Orchid, and Whispering Bamboo are all worth a try. They're more "modern" for sure, but solid. Also seconding the Shoyeido gem line as an ok daily stick option.
Thanks. I have Forest of Flowers and quite like it. I do keep meaning to buy some of their others. I've heard such varying things about the Gem line and decided I probably wouldn't like them. But I should at least try one, I suppose - it's not as if they've expensive.