Opening the Doors of Kodo

(This ritual may vary according to tradition and school)

Following the Teisho (Incense Lecture) the ceremony begins with a ritual known as Opening the Doors of Kodo. This ritual begins with the Komoto* opening the door behind the presentation area while on their knees. Next, the Komoto enters the room with the hitori-gouro containing heated charcoal, closes the door, and places the koro next to the “Random Box” (Midare bako) At this stage the Fukusa is presented, folded, and used to clean the incense cup (kiki-gouro)** After cleaning the Fukusa is refolded and placed in the Midare bako (Random Box) and the Incense Cup (Kiki-gouro) is placed upon it. Next the first the ash preparing utensils are moved from the silver vase to their position next to the cup. These are: feather, tamper, and metal chopsticks.

 

*Literally translated as Incense Master, however in many cases it will be an advanced student performing this function. I certainly can’t speak with authority on the matter but I have never heard the term Komoto or Incense Master applied to what one may consider a true incense master. Depending on the school, after several years, a student may be given a certificate as a Koushi which means incense teacher or lecturer. When a person becomes the head of a school, or the head of a branch of a school the carry the title Souke which literally translates as Head of the Family.

** You may be familiar the term Koro (incense furnace) Gouro is used when it is proceeded by the type of Koro e.g. Hitori-gouro, (Fire Koro) Kiki-gouro, (Listening Koro) etc.