Nippon Kodo – Meiko – Eiju

I bought Meiko – Eiju as part of a set of second hand incenses, also including Shibayama on Kleinanzeigen.

As with Shibayama, this package size with 20 sticks (14cm) is rather rarely found. One German shop offers them for €3; otherwise I can only find larger packages with 260 sticks (e.g. here) for €23.90, or in a 25cm long version (e.g. here), with approximately 100 sticks, at the same price.

On the US site of Nippon Kodo, I can only find a package of the same name with long sticks ($21); however, these are described as ‘Spicy Sandalwood’ and not as ‘Spicy Amber’ like on my package. I’m therefore not sure if the sticks smell identical.

With Eiju, as with other packages of this format, there’s the problem that the sticks are only relatively loosely wrapped in paper; thus they can slide around during transport and sometimes arrive broken.

Be aware: Besides Meiko – Eiju, there is also a line from Nippon Kodo called Eiju.

Meiko – Eiju smell sweet and intensely spicy, with a cinnamon-like sharpness. After burning the sticks a few times, I realised that they have similarities with scents from the Mother’s Regular Line. At first, I thought Cinnamon & Spice had the greatest similarity, but actually, it’s Amber. These are among my favourites, and I really like Eiju as well.

While Eiju are sweet on their own, but in contrast to Mother’s Amber, the sweetness is more subtle. Instead, the spiciness is all the more pronounced. Eiju absolutely live up to their title ‘Spicy Amber’.
Now, in comparison, I also perceive the spicy elements in Eiju as more complex than before; the herbs mentioned in the description seem to make themselves noticeable. However, I suspect that the word ‘herbs’ has a broader meaning here, than we use in general language. It’s not a green, herbal smell; more of a mild but aromatic accord that resonates in the background and gives the scent more depth.

Meiko – Eiju have an appealing sweet, gourmand smell with pronounced spiciness. I find the scent beautifully rounded and voluminous. It’s an interesting option for all sweet noses looking for coreless incense sticks.