1.
appreciating incense; 'listening' to incense
In the way of incense (香道), the act of savoring the fragrance of warmed incense wood. The scent is said to be 'listened to' (聞く) rather than merely smelled, reflecting the meditative attention it requires.
静かに聞香する。
To quietly appreciate the incense.
聞香には作法がある。
There is a proper etiquette for appreciating incense.
香炉を手に取り、心を落ち着けて聞香した。
I took the incense burner in my hands and, calming my mind, appreciated the fragrance.
A core practice of 香道. The word pairs 聞く 'to listen' with 香 'incense', capturing how the fragrance is received with full, quiet attention. Sometimes also read ぶんこう.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 聞香する: to appreciate incense
- 香を聞く: to 'listen' to a fragrance
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 香道: the way of incense — the broader art that includes 聞香
- 組香: an incense-identification game played in 香道