Sumiiro No Miyako
Auphorie (2021)

The company say:

Sumiiro No Miyako (lit. ink-colored Miyako) turns our original award-winning Miyako into a piece of traditional sumi-e ink painting. Conventionally, pine wood is burnt and its soot is collected to make into inksticks which are used extensively in traditional East-Asian calligraphy and paintings. In Sumiiro No Miyako, splashes of ink are artistically painted over an underlying layer of yuzu, golden osmanthus and leather as portrayed in the original Miyako. Further travelled to the heart of Heian-kyo, a traditional incense once flourished during the Heian period known as Kurobou incense begins to embrace the original Miyako, restoring the aesthetics that once belonged to this part of the civilization.

Kurobou incense is well-known for its appearance in the Tale of Genji where Princess Asagao made this kneaded incense and presented to Prince Genji as a gift for his daughter’s initiation ceremony at his request. Made from a blend of rare, valuable ingredients, namely agarwood, sandalwood, musk, spices and resins, Kurobou incense, when heated over a censer, gives forth a bold, cool and elegant scent that fittingly portrays the character of Princess Asagao.

As depicted in the Scenes from the Tale of Genji, the Kurobou incense was presented to Prince Genji in a canister adorned with a sprig of pine. Later during an incense judging session, the Kurobou incense made by Princess Asagao eventually won the hearts of Prince Genji and Prince Hotaru, and was reckoned to be the best of its kind. Besides being known for her art in making incense, Princess Asagao’s ink calligraphy was unmistakably one of the best. Prince Genji, who had been exchanging letters with Princess Asagao, cherished her beautifully written manuscripts so much so that he was too reluctant to show her inkworks to others. Taking inspirations from the aforementioned tale, notes of pine-soot ink and Kurobou incense are incorporated into the composition to add a dark, mysterious and bold touch while lending the composition an authentic East-Asian accent. As the strokes of brush continue, a secluded and poetic moss garden begins to emerge on the painting silk, enriching the overall composition while bringing this ink-splashed saga to a nostalgic and wistful coda.