香道小常識----淺談品香三種方式 Tips on how to use the incense properly

目前一般所見之品香方式，可分為以下三種：焚香、熏香和生香。

Incense comes in three types, including burning incense, smoking incense and raw incense.

一、焚香First, burning incense

焚香又稱燃香、燒香，就是直接點燃香品的方式。例如使用香粉、線香、環香或篆香法。

Literally, burning incense means that the incense can be burned directly. And this type includes incense powder, incense sticks, and incense loops.

這種方式香氣濃郁，可用於較大空間。直接燃燒香材，會產生煙氣，古人對煙有許多精彩的描寫，李白筆下的輕煙霸氣磅礡，表現出他的縱橫才氣與盛唐氣象：「博山爐中沉香火，雙煙一氣淩紫霞。」宋代陳去非在《焚香》一詩中，談到煙與生命的領悟：「明窗延靜晝，默坐消塵緣；即將無限意，寓此一炷煙。」蘇東坡則說：「一炷煙消火冷，半生身老心閑。」品香的終極，是回到心閑無事的清明。心靈的極簡留白是幸福的源頭，勘為現代人所效法！

This type of incense is suitable for big space. As incense gets burned directly, there can be a lot of smoke. In ancient times, some literates described how the smoke looked like vividly. In the Tang Dynasty, a talented and famous poet Lee-bai depicted that the smoke of incense could reach high above, which was an eye-catching sight. In the Song Dynasty, another poet Chen-chu-fei mentioned his insight into life in one poem and stated that incense carried a lot of meanings and brought silence for him. Su-shi, another poet and literate said that appreciating incense could be an ultimate enjoyment and that a simple state of mind was the source of happiness. The ancient incense lovers set a great example for modern people.

焚香會產生煙氣，對呼吸道過敏的人不宜長時間近聞；但做為空間的背景香，不僅可以去除雜味、淨化空間，也能帶來寧靜和諧的安定感。

However, burning incense generates lots of smoke, which can be a problem for those with respiratory illnesses. But, burning incense can be properly used in big space to eliminate the odor in the surroundings and purify the energy field. Burning incense can also bring to us a sense of stability and serenity.

二、熏香Second, smoking incense

熏香，指的是隔火熏香，如日本香道或時下的電子熏香爐、車充等。熏香不直接用火點燃，而是透過高溫間接讓香韻散發出來。例如沉香、奇楠、檀香、香丸等。熏香一般會選擇優質香品，可以是合香，也可以是原態香材，其體積不宜過大，可分割為薄片、小塊、粉末等形狀。
「熏」香雖然不如「燒」香來得簡單，但能呈現香韻前、中、後段的變化，香氣醇和宜人，更添意境之美。

Smoking incense does not get ignited directly; its fragrance emanates in high temperature. Smoking incenseis common in Japan and can be applied in electronic incense pots or used in the cars. Normally, good-quality incense materials, such as Agilawood, ‎Aquilaria agallocha Roxb, and sandalwood, can be appropriate smoking incense choices. Smoking incense can be synthetic incense or we can simply smoke the material directly in thin pieces, small nuggets, or powder. Smoking incense is not as easy as burning incense directly, but smoking incense offers different layers of fragrance in the smoking process, which can be even more pleasant and enjoyable.

熏香不會產生煙氣，具有「只聞其香不見煙」的美感，對煙容易過敏的人，是不錯的品香方式。跟焚香相較，熏香的香氣散播範圍有限，適合較小空間。

In fact, smoking incense generates no smoke at all. You can smell the fragrance but see no smoke. For those who suffer from allergy, this is a good choice. Compared with burning incense, smoking incense is fit for small space. 

三、生聞Third, raw incense
生聞又稱生香，是直接品聞沉香或其他香材、香品的純味。例如將沉香或合香製成的念珠、手串、配飾、雕件、香牌等，佩戴在身上或掛在車上、衣物間，透過自然的溫度與濕度，使香品散發香氣，但是氣味散發不大，更需近聞。

     

Raw incense is used for direct smell to enjoy its original fragrance. Normally, the manufacturers make Agilawood or synthetic incense into beads, boards, or other accessories. You can wear them or hang them in the car or wardrobe. The fragrance emanates naturally in proper temperature and moisture. But, you have to approach the products to appreciate the fragrance because the fragrance can be mild.