Chinese incense culture originated almost simultaneously with Chinese civilization. Experts explain that from the earliest written records, Chinese incense culture, as an essential part of Chinese culture, has already taken center stage in history. How has the historical trajectory of agarwood culture developed in China? This article explores and traces this aspect. The historical inheritance of incense culture in China has undergone a process of development, from its initial use as a sacrificial activity to pray for divine blessings, to the later integration of spices into daily activities such as burning, blending, and bathing in incense, and then to the artistic use of spices in tea, medicine, paper, ink, fans, and wine. It has not only witnessed the long and splendid history and civilization of the Chinese nation, but has also left a rich and colorful mark on it. Agarwood, a precious and rare natural resource, was controlled by a select few and coveted by the elite in ancient China. Its use was primarily confined to the upper class, with records dating back to the Han Dynasty. While often called the "crown of fragrances," it didn't integrate into everyday life as readily as other incense materials.

In other words, agarwood represented a luxurious aristocratic culture, prevalent among the powerful, wealthy, literary figures, and scholars of ancient China—a luxury inaccessible to ordinary people. This imbued agarwood with a unique mystique and noble character, showcasing an elegant and refined vitality in the history of Chinese incense culture. Its circulation was limited to the upper class, with records dating back to the Han Dynasty. Experts explain that it's impossible to pinpoint exactly when the Chinese people began using agarwood. Because early Chinese civilization primarily originated in the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins, related written records are concentrated there. Furthermore, agarwood's extremely demanding temperature and humidity requirements mean it can only grow in subtropical climates on the outskirts (present-day Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan). Therefore, before the Han Dynasty, there are no records of agarwood use in ancient Chinese texts. However, the custom of burning agarwood upon opening doors, still preserved in regions including Guangdong and Hainan, suggests that agarwood and these remote peoples have long shared a tacit understanding. It is said that by the Han Dynasty, Chinese incense culture had reached a considerable scale. With the development of productivity and the continuous expansion of the national territory, the influence of incense culture extended to remote regions such as Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.

Simultaneously, the Silk Road opened up transportation between the Central Plains and the Western Regions, and maritime trade also began to take shape, allowing spices produced in some remote spice-producing areas (Hainan and Guangdong in China, northern Vietnam, and the Southeast Asian countries at the time) to enter the culturally developed Central Plains. Thus, agarwood culture began to enter Chinese incense culture. As an oily fragrance, agarwood possesses unique characteristics different from other woody and herbaceous fragrances. Its elegant aroma, profound flavor, and rare and precious raw materials resonated well with mainstream Chinese Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian philosophies. Meanwhile, the long transportation time required for agarwood to reach the core areas of the Central Plains from remote border regions increased its cost. Furthermore, the harvesting and processing of agarwood consumed significant manpower and resources. Therefore, agarwood was primarily a tribute from local areas to the central government, rarely accessible to ordinary people. This enhanced its prestige and mystique, making it popular among the ruling class of the Han Dynasty. The earliest written record of agarwood appears in the *Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital*: In the first year of the Yongshi era of Emperor Cheng of Han, the concubine Zhao Hede presented Zhao Feiyan with a gift containing "shenmuxiang" (沈木香). "Shenmuxiang" was one of the early names for agarwood,

meaning "wood that sinks in water." The *Record of Strange Things* by Yang Fu of the Eastern Han Dynasty mentions "wood honey" (木蜜). According to experts, "wood honey" is also an ancient name for agarwood. Literally, it likely refers to the sweet, cool, and honey-like aroma of agarwood. From the earliest records and names of agarwood, its recognized characteristics were primarily its ability to sink in water and its sweet, cool fragrance. 　　

The medicinal value of agarwood was discovered during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties. During this period, Chinese incense culture reached maturity, and spices began to be widely used as medicinal materials. At this time, people gradually recognized the preciousness of agarwood as a traditional Chinese medicine, and its medicinal value began to be valued and sought after. The public's understanding of agarwood also rose to a more rational level. The *Southern Plants and Trees*, compiled by Ji Han during the Jin Dynasty, records numerous characteristics of plants from southern China, including a description of the properties of "honey-scented" (agarwood). Tao Hongjing, a renowned physician of the Southern Dynasties, believed that agarwood could "treat malignant tumors and boils." However, due to its precious resources and scarcity in the market, agarwood was not widely used as a medicinal material. The flourishing of Buddhist culture during the Sui and Tang Dynasties accelerated the development of agarwood culture. In religious contexts, agarwood's unique resin formation process—forming through natural coincidence—aligns with Buddhist concepts of destiny and creation. Furthermore, its elegant aroma and the bluish-white smoke that rises to the heavens when burned have led many religions to consider it a sacred object capable of communicating with the divine. Meanwhile, the powerful national strength and developed water and land transportation of China during the Sui and Tang dynasties provided


the necessary conditions for the large-scale mining and transportation of agarwood. The use and culture of agarwood also became more widespread. Furthermore, starting from the Sui dynasty, agarwood was used in wooden architecture, constructing agarwood pavilions and towers. This is because agarwood not only helps repel insects and prevent decay in wooden structures, but also imparts an elegant fragrance to the interior of buildings. Records indicate that Yang Guozhong, the maternal uncle of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, used a large amount of agarwood when building his residence, demonstrating extreme extravagance. It is said that during this period, Chinese agarwood culture began to influence surrounding regions; for example, the incense culture of the Tang dynasty spread to Japan and was welcomed by mainstream Japanese culture. The Song and Ming Dynasties laid the foundation for agarwood as one of the "Four Arts of the Literati." During this period, the culture of incense flourished alongside the further development of Confucianism. Besides its continued use in the imperial court, agarwood became a top-tier incense used in the cultural lives of literati. It is said that the literati enjoyed various refined artistic pursuits, including burning incense, brewing tea, hanging paintings, and arranging flowers, collectively known as the "Four Arts of the Literati." Among these, the elegant and serene aroma emitted when agarwood was burned was highly praised by many literati, becoming a high-level spiritual enjoyment. Numerous poems were also written in praise of incense. The agarwood culture of the Song and Ming Dynasties represented not only luxury and nobility but also the literati's understanding of a transcendent spiritual realm. Su Shi, a poet, described the appearance of burning agarwood in his poem: "How can it be like a small flame, with wisps of smoke and clear songs?" Zhou Bangyan also wrote in "Su Mu Zhe: Burning Agarwood": "Burning agarwood dispels the summer heat. Birds chirp for clear skies, their voices mingling with the dawn." 　　

Agarwood was widely used in daily necessities and playthings during the Ming and Qing dynasties. With the continuous development of production and transportation, the mining and use of agarwood increased significantly. Agarwood began to be used extensively by all social classes. Experts say that the use of agarwood reached its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties: from the emperor's ornaments to the playthings of nobles, the court beads of powerful officials, and the incense sticks, cones, sachets, and ribbons used by the wealthy. This period also saw the peak of agarwood development, leading to a scarcity of domestically produced agarwood, primarily from Hainan, Yunnan, and Guangdong. The Opium War and the promotion of Western learning marked a break in the transmission of traditional Chinese culture. It had a profound impact on many aspects of traditional Chinese learning, including social, cultural, and historical traditions. Incense culture was also significantly affected. Experts believe that Chinese society's understanding of agarwood began to break after the Opium War; due to war and the massive outflow of wealth, the exquisite and elegant agarwood gradually faded from people's lives. China's incense culture thus began its decline. 　　

The modern agarwood market is experiencing a surge in prices. Chinese incense culture was introduced to Japan during the Tang Dynasty, and agarwood culture was introduced during the Ming Dynasty, gradually developing into the modern Japanese incense ceremony. Later, the Japanese incense ceremony was first adopted by Taiwan, and then entered mainland China from Taiwan. The Chinese people lacked awareness of the value of agarwood, and large quantities of agarwood resources were purchased in the mid-to-late 20th century by Japanese and Taiwanese merchants through hoarding. Although the Chinese have maintained the custom of using agarwood in medicine, they mostly use lower-grade materials. Culturally, incense ceremonies have gradually disappeared, and the domestic agarwood market has weakened. Agarwood from countries including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia has flowed into China in large quantities after several transfers. The traditional Chinese agarwood culture has also been influenced by the Japanese incense ceremony. The traditional Chinese incense ceremony, used for appreciating fragrance, discussing philosophy, and expressing sentiments, has been replaced by the Japanese incense ceremony, which emphasizes refined etiquette. Simultaneously, the knowledge system related to agarwood is largely based on the Japanese system, including grading, naming, and origin. Since the beginning of the 21st century, especially in recent years, the market price of agarwood has skyrocketed. Aside from numerous commercial factors, the main reason is the scarcity of agarwood resources, especially domestic agarwood, which represents traditional Chinese agarwood culture and has been almost completely depleted. The remaining portion is protected by the state and its harvesting is prohibited. Furthermore, the renewed global attention to incense culture has further enhanced the cultural value of agarwood as the "King of Incense." In modern times, agarwood culture has simply become a collectible investment, attracting widespread attention. Its unassuming nature and subtle, lingering fragrance are the subject of many stories about agarwood. From ancient times to the present, why have people revered agarwood so much? Besides its material value, it's also because of the inherent charm and character it exudes. Perhaps people's understanding of agarwood has transcended its material aspects and risen to a spiritual level. Here are two short stories to illustrate the character and charm of agarwood. 　

　Story One: An elderly gentleman, deeply knowledgeable about incense culture, once bought two pieces of agarwood at a high price from Guangdong. Forgetting his key and finding it inconvenient to carry, he left the larger piece at his office door and went to retrieve it. Several things happened during that time, and he was busy with them. It wasn't until much later that he remembered the piece of agarwood he had left at the door. Knowing that people frequently came and went at the office door, he feared the agarwood had been stolen, so he rushed back to retrieve it. When he arrived at the office door, he found the agarwood still there, perfectly intact, without even being moved. A piece of agarwood, worth as much as gold, left unattended at the door became a source of amusement. Experts say that agarwood's unassuming appearance often masks its inherent value; its charm lies in its understated and reserved nature. Story Two: Once upon a time, there was a wealthy father who loved his son dearly. He built a large ship for his son, hoping he would travel the world and comprehend the great Dao. A wealthy man's son sailed a large ship to an island in the ocean. There, he discovered a magical type of wood that sank in water and emitted an elegant fragrance. Overjoyed, he loaded his ship with a large quantity of wood and took it home. Back home, he took a cartload of this wood to the market, hoping to sell it for a good price. However, he was disappointed to find that people had absolutely no interest in his wood. Meanwhile, a charcoal vendor nearby quickly sold out his entire cartload of charcoal.

The son was furious. In a fit of rage, he burned the entire cartload of wood into charcoal. The next day, he took the charcoal to the market and sold it all in no time. He told his father what had happened, and to his surprise, the wealthy man wept bitterly. He was heartbroken for his son because he knew the cartload of wood his son had brought back wasn't rotten wood, but a priceless spice called agarwood.

No one can fully explain how a piece of agarwood evolved into its current form. Its appearance is simple and rough, yet it contains a wealth of inner treasures. Its irreplaceable medicinal value and unique, delicate fragrance are completely hidden beneath its unassuming exterior. However, those who don't understand it, regarding it as worthless, will miss out on the priceless value of agarwood. The world of incense is like the world of people. Some people are outwardly glamorous and eye-catching, but inwardly ignorant and impractical, engaging in self-serving and harmful acts; others are simple and unpretentious, never showing off, but accumulating knowledge and experience, benefiting everyone and everything they do. Agarwood offers spiritual enlightenment, and its value perhaps lies in this: a person of true character rarely flaunts their abilities, revealing their worth only in crucial moments. Cultivation is a lifelong endeavor, just as the formation of incense takes hundreds or even thousands of years. 　　

Domestic agarwood varieties include Dongguan agarwood. Originally, Dongguan agarwood referred to agarwood produced near Dongguan, but now it mostly refers to agarwood from Guangdong Province. Guangdong has a long tradition of using agarwood,

and since ancient times, agarwood farmers have been a profession. "Agarwood farmers" are those who make a living by harvesting and selling agarwood. Major agarwood producing areas include Dongguan, Huizhou, southern Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Shanwei. Except for Hong Kong, wild agarwood resources are now very difficult to find in Guangdong. The most distinctive feature of Dongguan agarwood is its sweet aroma, especially after burning. The fragrance is exceptionally sweet, delicate, and pleasant, particularly from the Hong Kong and Shenzhen regions, which possess a unique floral scent. When burned, Dongguan agarwood releases a rich, long-lasting nutty aroma. Wild Dongguan agarwood is now extremely rare; large, densely packed pieces are difficult to find. The resin is mostly in the form of flat, blocky pieces, containing both yellow and black resin. Agarwood (Qinan) is produced in the Huizhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong regions. Dongguan Qinan agarwood initially has a spicy, numbing, and cool aroma; its main fragrance is sweet, cool, and delicate; and its base fragrance transforms into a rich nutty aroma. 　　

Qiongxiang refers to agarwood produced in Hainan Province, primarily in the central mountainous region of Hainan. The most renowned production area is the Wuzhishan area, with agarwood from Jianfengling and Bawangling being particularly outstanding. The aroma of Hainan agarwood is similar to that of Dongguan agarwood, offering a delicate sweetness after burning, combined with a rich, nutty fragrance when used as incense. However, its aroma diffusion is slightly less pronounced compared to Dongguan agarwood. Some experts also point out that Hainan agarwood is actually a branch of Dongguan agarwood, belonging to the same category. 　　

Guangxi and Yunnan agarwood are also produced in Guangxi and Yunnan, but are not commonly seen on the market now. Aroma-wise, this type of agarwood is predominantly sweet. After burning, the main and final fragrances develop, accompanied by nutty notes. High-quality pieces may also have a subtle medicinal aroma. Written by (except where otherwise noted): Liu Danzhe; Edited and coordinated by: Li Jin; "Agarwood Weekly" is hosted by Southern Daily and Guangdong Agarwood Association; General Directors: Zhang Dongming, Wang Genghui, Liu Dongxiao; 　　
General Planners: Wang Chuilin, Liu Haiyan; General Coordinators: Lang Guohua, Chen Zhi, Tan Shilong, Zhang Yifei; Executive Execution: Yuan Ding, Chen Lifang, Pei Minhui, Yu Shi, Liu Yanhui, Chen Minghuan, Zhong Haoming, Liu Danzhe, Wang Yu, Pan Hang; Source: http://www.gznet.com/news/jypd/201409/t20140903_1659271.html