For thousands of years, incense has been used in China not only for religious ceremonies but as Chinese perfume and an artistic element in folklore. Since Neolithic times, Chinese people burned stones and wood for aromatherapy. After more spices were introduced to the country through the Silk Road, incense was widely used in daily life. They gave clothes a better smell and were used in traditional medicine, meditation, wedding bed, and religious rituals. To use incense was considered elegant. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), appreciating incense was considered one of four “graceful daily things” to do, along with tea tasting, flower arrangement, and setup paintings.

Over the centuries, incense art almost vanished in China. But in Japan, kodo remained popular and eventually spread to Taiwan, from which it returned to the Chinese mainland several years ago. Today in China the art is called xiang dao, meaning “skill of making incense.”

During this three hour hands-on workshop, we will learn to do the following:

- Understand Chinese incense culture

- Witness a traditional incense ceremony

- Blend natural incense materials

- Learn to make Chinese incense sticks

- Create our own Chinese incense accessories (xiang pai)

Xiang pai was an attractive and useful fragrant accessory worn in ancient China. The xiang pai was made with traditional Chinese patterns and designs and was worn by both genders to show nobility and wealth, and to promote health.

Chinese tea, dessert, and lunch will be offered during this workshop.

DATE:

Monday, February 22

TIME:

9:45 AM Registration, 10 AM to 1 PM

COST:

RMB 399 (includes workshop materials, Chinese tea, dessert, fresh fruits, and a delicious noodle for lunch)

MEET:

Meijiangtang Tea House, No. 12, Building 101

Lane 800 Dong’an Rd.

(metro line 7 or 12 to Longhua Middle Road station, exit 5)

梅间堂，东安路800弄12号101, 近龙华中路地铁站 （绿地缤纷家乐福对面）

Please complete the online registration by February 18. The event costs must be paid in cash only. SEA coordinator is Jennifer Anderson, WeChat: JenAShanghai.

Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend the event after receipt of confirmation, please notify us immediately by emailing events@seashanghai.org. If it's the day of the event, please ALSO notify the coordinator listed on the event by phone, text or WeChat.

If you need to cancel after February 18, our SEA cancellation policy applies which states you might still have to pay for your registered event, depending on the vendor. SEA will notify you to either collect or let you pay it at your next registered event.