Robb Recommends: The All-Natural Incense You’ll Want to Burn All Fall and Winter
Welcome to Robb Recommends, a regular series in which our editors and contributors endorse something they’ve tried and loved—and think will change your life for the better.
As fall approaches, a great scented candle is a home essential, but lately, I find myself increasingly drawn to incense. Every morning, as my coffee brews, I light a stick, cone, or spiral, and let it set a serene tone for the day ahead. This isn’t the incense of dorm rooms; it’s an elevated, sensual experience from niche brands specializing in their craft, rivaling luxury candles.
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While I enjoy burning different iterations, one that stands above the fray is Tennen. Interestingly, Tennen isn’t a fragrance house but a design firm renowned for its expertise in architecture, interiors, and furniture. Recognizing the scarcity of quality Japanese incense in the U.S., Tennen collaborated with a Kyoto-based company to create its own sticks, cones, and spirals, quickly building a devoted base.
Japanese incense is renowned for its high-quality natural ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship, making it arguably the finest in the world. Crafted in Japan, Tennen’s incense features a coreless design—no bamboo, just pure incense throughout. This ensures a cleaner burn, allowing the subtle nuances of its scents to shine. Traditional Japanese incense often has a sandalwood or agarwood base. Tennen incorporates these foundational elements with camphor, oakmoss, magnolia, and hinoki, reflecting centuries-old Japanese incense-making traditions. In other words, there’s a deep sense of authenticity and history here.
Tennen Spiral Incense
The scents from Tennen will surprise even those who typically shy away from burning incense. The spirals, which feature fragrances including Wandering Moss (a green, grounding blend of oakmoss, cedar, and earth) and Fallen Blossom (a fresh scent with a note of gardenia), are uniquely transportive: like stepping into a monastery on a winter’s day. Tennen’s range includes nuanced blends with interplaying notes to scents with a stronger initial presence that transitions into subtle undertones. The scents unfurl in layers, lingering and filling the room with their complex aromatic presence.
Even the packaging feels unique and highly curated. The spirals come in handsome, small boxes adorned with Japanese script—an extension of Tennen’s design ethos. The paper sealing the box feels ancient, and once opened, you’ll find a thoughtful description of the scent, with each spiral carefully separated to prevent damage or breakage. Presentation is key for me, and in a world where incense often comes in simple boxes or tins, this is the most thoughtful packaging I’ve encountered. And it’s worth noting that because of this, they’d make great gifts.
Tennen’s spirals are a conversation starter, thanks to their visually striking design and extended burn time—much longer than traditional stick incense. Ideal for entertaining, filling larger spaces, or simply hanging at home, these spirals burn for over two hours, gradually releasing their scent in a mesmerizing circular pattern. However, this distinctive shape requires the right holder and careful balancing, as they’re not the kind of incense you can place anywhere. You’ll need a surface that elevates the spiral, making a specifically designed dish a wise investment. While this requires nuance and a delicate touch, the effort is well worth it. From the first light, Tennen’s incense will fill your space with an ancient aroma, creating a grounding and uplifting environment. In short, it will smell fantastic.
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