Incense sets
A Chinese incense set gives you a burner, tools and a mold for seal incense.
Make seal incense at home
Smooth the ash
Fill the burner with ash, then press it flat with the ash press until the surface is firm and even.
Fill the mold
Set the mold on the ash and spoon in incense powder. Brush it level so every channel is full.
Lift and light
Tap the mold and lift it straight up. Light one end of the powder line, and it burns along the pattern.
A Song saying named four arts: incense, tea, paintings, flowers.
What to look for
Seal incense is an open ember on ash. Use a stable table, keep the room aired, and don't touch the burner until it cools.
Incense sets
Hand-picked pieces are on the way.
Good to know
What is seal incense?
It is incense powder shaped into a pattern on ash, then lit at one end. The ember slowly follows the design. In Chinese it is xiang zhuan, and Song dynasty writers loved it.
What comes in a Chinese incense set?
Usually a burner, ash press, spoon, small brush, tongs or chopsticks, and a pattern mold. Many sets leave out ash and powder, so read the list before you buy.
Is an incense set a good gift for a beginner?
Yes, if ash and incense are included, so it works out of the box. For someone who just wants scent, a burner and a box of sticks is easier.
