Cycle Of Scent 04 : Solstice Fire

Matsuri Culture

The word natsu-matsuri in Japanese does not simply mean “summer festival.” Its root comes from matsuru 祀る: to serve, honor, and offer devotion to gods and ancestors. 

Closely tied to Shinto tradition, matsuri take countless regional forms across Japan, each shaped by local landscapes, beliefs, spirits, and seasonal rhythms. Among the many symbolic elements found in summer matsuri, fire holds a sacred role — a force believed to move the unseen world, purify space and guide spirits. 

The Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu occupies a central place in Shinto mythology, and it is no coincidence that the word for sun, hi, is pronounced the same as fire in Japanese.

For the Summer Solstice of 2026, we have handcrafted incense cones, with the scent formulated around the vivid green earthiness of tomato leaf, with rare notes of fruity artichoke and fresh basil essence. 

Burn slowly at dusk as a small ritual for the turning point of light — the moment when the Sun remains in the sky for its longest duration of the year. The day begins to soften, and the night, accompanied by incense and fire, carries the memory of the Sun.

Cycle Of Scent 04

Top note: Artichoke, Basil, Grapefruit

Heart note: Tomato leaf, Cistus, Geranium

Base note: Benzoin, Vetiver