During the Tensho era, when Oda Nobunaga seized control of Japan, “Koju” was established in Kyoto.
The first head of Koju was Yasuda Matauemon Minamoto no Mitsuhiro. He served as an official purveyor to the Imperial Court. He is said to be a descendant of Minamoto no (Yasuda) Yoshisada (the 12th generation of the Seiwa-Genji clan), the governor of Tōtoumi Province during the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate.
The third head of Koju, Yasuda Masakiyo, is said to have served Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the fourth head, Masanaga, served Tokugawa Ieyasu.
1700s
Takai Juemon succeeded as the eighth head of Koju. He gained fame by supplying scented materials (takimono) to the grand masters of various schools of the tea ceremony.
He was recorded as “Kōdōgushi Juemon” (Incense Implement Master Juemon). Since then, successive heads of Koju have inherited the name Juemon.
1800s
The “Koju Takai Juuemon Kaden Takimono Chōgō Oboegaki” (Koju Takai Juuemon’s Notes on the Secret Incense Blending Recipes), written by the eighth Juemon, was passed down through generations of Koju masters.
Supplied famous incenses such as “Kokonoe” and “Wakakusa” to tea ceremony grand masters, and “Chitose” (a takimono presented to Emperor Kōkaku).
The 14th and 15th heads of Koju participated in the private school of Yamamoto Bōyō, a scholar of Western studies (Rangaku) and natural history in Kyoto during the late Edo period. A part of their 60 years of research remains.
Records include cases of research into Western scents and the acquisition of tamarind seeds, a Western perfume ingredient of African origin. There are records of cultivating the plant in pots at his residence in Kyoto.
1909
Yujiro Kito, an incense master of the Meiji era, launched “Mainichi-Koh” (Daily Incense), a new-era incense stick.
1911
Launched “Kasuikō Hana-no-Hana” (Perfume Incense: Flower of Flowers), which developed the fragrance of Western perfume using Japanese incense technology. It became a representative new Japanese fragrance, aligning with the cultural trend of the Taishō Romanticism era.
1942
Masanori Konaka reorganized the incense business from a private venture into a corporation, establishing Tokyo Kokando in Kyobashi, Tokyo.
1947
Masanori Konaka acquired the trademark, manufacturing, and sales rights for “Mainichi-Koh” and “Hana-no-Hana” from Yujiro Kito.
1950
Masanori Konaka built the head office in Ginza 3-chome and established “Ginza Rangetsu” (a restaurant).
1960
The 17th head of Koju, Rikichi Takai Juuemon, transferred the Koju incense blending techniques and name to Masanori Konaka.
1965
Group company “Daiko” was established.
Established “NIPPON KODO CO., LTD. NY Representative Office” in New York, USA.
1966
Company name changed to “NIPPON KODO CO., LTD.”
1969
Established “Koju,” a specialty incense shop, in Ginza.
1970
Established “NIPPON KODO (HK) LTD.”
1971
Established “NIPPON KODO, INC.” in Los Angeles, USA.
1982
First public performance of “Kodo” (Incense Ceremony) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Since then, the group has continued activities to promote Japanese incense culture overseas.
1989
Entered into a business partnership with the French home fragrance brand “ESTEBAN”.
1996
ESTEBAN became a subsidiary.
1999
US incense brand “GENIECO” became a subsidiary.
2003
Opened a factory in Vietnam.
2005
Established the joint venture “Manbok Hyandang” with Manpukudo in South Korea.
2007
New factory in Vietnam completed.
2008
GENIECO acquired incense brands from US company Willert Home Products.
2011
Established “Nippon Kodo Holdings Corp.”
2016
Opened Koju Kyoto Store.
2018
ESTEBAN completed a fragrance factory in Montpellier, France.
Established the fragrance brand “KITOWA.”
2019
The Ginza Head Office Building was renovated as a hub for promoting Japanese incense culture.
2022
Spanish spiritual brand “Tierra Zen” became a subsidiary.
French home fragrance brand “GEODESIS” became a subsidiary.
2023
Funeral service company “IO” became a subsidiary.
2025
The Nippon Kodo Group celebrates 450 years since the founding of Koju.
Newly introduced Group Identity ” Transported by fragrance.”
Shioya Fragrance Factory started operations.
