聞香(もんこう)

もんこう
noun
appreciating incense; 'listening' to incense
culture
1. appreciating incense; 'listening' to incense
In the way of incense (香道(こうどう)), the act of savoring the fragrance of warmed incense wood. The scent is said to be 'listened to' (聞(き)く) rather than merely smelled, reflecting the meditative attention it requires.
静(しず)かに聞香(もんこう)する。
To quietly appreciate the incense.
聞香(もんこう)には作法(さほう)がある。
There is a proper etiquette for appreciating incense.
香炉(こうろ)を手(て)に取(と)り、心(こころ)を落(お)ち着(つ)けて聞香(もんこう)した。
I took the incense burner in my hands and, calming my mind, appreciated the fragrance.

A core practice of 香道(こうどう). The word pairs 聞(き)く 'to listen' with 香(こう) 'incense', capturing how the fragrance is received with full, quiet attention. Sometimes also read ぶんこう.

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 香道(こうどう) (the way of incense)
general
Added 2026.6.28 3:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
29500/29525_monkou