Agarwood knowledge: from beginner to discerning

From what agarwood is and how it forms, to authentication, care and incense culture.

Compendium of Materia Medica, “Aromatic Woods”: Li Shizhen’s Incense Medicines

Li Shizhen’s Ming encyclopedia places agarwood, sandalwood and gurjun among “aromatic woods”, recording their nature and uses—a key classical source for incense in medicine.

2026-10-07 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Zhufan Zhi, “Products”: Zhao Rukuo’s Overseas Spice Gazetteer

The “Products” section of Zhao Rukuo’s Southern Song work records agarwood, sandalwood, clove, camphor, frankincense and storax from South-Sea lands—a precious trade source.

2026-10-06 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Lingwai Daida, “Incense Gate”: Zhou Qufei’s South-Sea Aromatics

The “Incense Gate” of Zhou Qufei’s Southern Song gazetteer systematically records South-Sea agarwood and related aromatics—precious evidence of maritime incense trade.

2026-10-05 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Guihai Yuheng Zhi, “On Incense”: Fan Chengda’s Guangnan Aromatics

The “On Incense” section of Fan Chengda’s Southern Song gazetteer records Guangnan (today’s Guangxi/Guangdong) agarwood, Penglai and partridge-spot incense.

2026-10-04 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Nanfang Caomu Zhuang: Ji Han’s Early Notes on Honey-Scent Wood and Agarwood

Attributed to Ji Han of the Western Jin, this three-volume flora of the south records the “honey-scent tree” and agarwood among its early botanical notices.

2026-10-03 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Qing Yi Lu, “Incense-Burning Gate”: Five-Dynasties Anecdotes

Tao Gu’s late-Five-Dynasties miscellany has 37 sections; its “Incense-Burning Gate” preserves Tang–Five-Dynasties incense names and tales.

2026-10-02 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Tianxiang Zhuan: Ding Wei and the Earliest Treatise on Agarwood

Written by Song statesman Ding Wei during his exile in Hainan, this is the earliest systematic essay on agarwood origins, grades and aroma.

2026-10-01 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

The Incense Realm (Xiangguo): Mao Jin’s Anthology of Incense Verse

A one-volume Ming anthology by Mao Jin gathering classical poems, prose and anecdotes about incense—a rare literary take on incense lore.

2026-09-30 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Gao Lian’s “On Incense” (Zunsheng Eight Glosses)

In the sixth gloss of Gao Lian’s Ming-era health manual, “On Incense”, “Seven Essentials of Burning” and recipes combine incense with the art of living.

2026-09-29 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Huizhai’s Incense Manual: The Ming “Five Directions” Recipe Book

A one-volume Ming manual by Huizhai that pairs burning incense with the four seasons and the five phases—representative of literati blending.

2026-09-28 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Hong Chu’s Incense Manual: The Earliest Extant Song-Era Specialised Book

Hong Chu’s Northern-Song manual, organised into four classes—varieties, rarities, affairs and methods—is among the earliest extant specialised books on Chinese incense.

2026-09-27 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Chen Jing’s Incense Manual: A Late-Song Synthesis in Four Volumes

Compiled by Chen Jing at the end of the Song, this four-volume work gathers the incense lore of more than ten earlier authors into one treasury.

2026-09-26 · 0 阅读

Knowledge

Xiangcheng (The Book of Incense): Zhou Jiazhou’s 28-Volume Compendium

A Ming-dynasty magnum opus by Zhou Jiazhou, 28 volumes compiling centuries of incense lore, recipes and anecdotes—the encyclopedia of classical Chinese incense.

2026-09-25 · 1 阅读

What to look at when buying agarwood for the first time

Read in the recommended order: learn authentication first, then buy, and always inspect in person.

读鉴别指南