最近因展覽關係，我們進行了數場茶加上香席的體驗課，首次在香港進行香席的演示帶給我和席上參與者非常深刻又難忘的感悟。
我與香的緣份
先分享一下我們是在2018年首次在台北辦展覽的時候透過無事生活的三姊妹（展覽空間的負責人）認識了我的香道老師——心庵香隱的主理人，蕭老師。當時的我們跟本不知道香席是什麼，對香的認知非常片面，只聽聞過沉香是非常珍貴而已，對其真正的價值一無所知。
「體驗過就懂了。」三姊妹們說的這一句非常抽象又富神秘感的描述，驅使著我們的好奇心，吸引着我們來訪。抱着希望來的我們完全沒有感到一絲落差 ，而是這一次香席的體驗超脫得像是一道通往新世界的大門， 更令我們對香氣有了一個重新的認知。
首次香席體驗
透過老師的手，一塊塊看似普通的木頭卻展現出震懾靈魂的香氣。香木之中深藏的能量，就在香席之中一步一步地發揮得淋漓盡致。
席上的工具和器物小巧精緻，不自覺地吸引着我的視線，感覺陌生又有趣：一雙小小的銀筷子、一根羽毛的小帚、小小的瓶子、盒子，還有裝滿香灰的小香爐；跟我以往在寺廟裏看到的香爐完全是兩回事，看似與日常無關的小器物，卻會牽起你對日常用品的想像。
主持香席從一開始理灰到置香，一切手部的動作輕柔而安定，席中的灰和香木屑都是輕輕的，必須小心翼翼，生怕呼一口氣也會把他們吹走，手定的同時心也隨之穩定下來。香爐置好後就可以傳閱品香，沉香的香和氣在數次呼吸後使人放鬆，各人的心漸漸變得沉穩又安定。感官因專注而變得敏銳，香氣細緻柔和，一股暖流緩緩地通過鼻腔被吸進體內，隨著時間和温度，香調漸起變化；雖知道燃的是香木，但甜蜜的果香、清雅的花香、淡淡的堅果香層層遞進，香氣層次多變又複雜，實在難以用筆墨形容，真的是「體驗過就懂了」。
在香港首次進行香席的體驗工作坊
後來我真正拜師學藝是在 2019年。當時我正經歷着人生的低潮，自覺在創作上毫無突破，沒有靈感，突然間想起了沉香的香和氣，渴望被療癒，就隻身跑到台北去學香了。正式學香後，經歷數年時間，由最初獨自的練習，漸漸開始向外尋覓，兜了一圈回來才更確信自己已走在正確的路上。
今次有幸在展覽期間跟大家分享我所相信的香道，對我來說是一個深刻的經驗。很感激每一位參與者和我一起經歷這香事，你們正面的回饋也使我更加堅定地相信自己。我覺得這次香席最難得的是所有人皆為眼前的一爐香，全然安靜地感受香氣，從而享受了片刻的寧靜。當我們完完全全地沉醉於香氣之中，我們也會感受到自身的存在；在繁忙的生活中，我們都太難把思緒定下來，心一直往外跑，沒有餘力好好地專注在自己身上，我感覺到，大家都很需要這份「空白」。
香木因傷結油，形成的過程漫長，從生至死，數十年至數百年時間不等，今天有緣被我們帶到香席之中，從存在到被燃燒到灰燼，轉化為香氣後療癒人心。「香藥同源」不無道理，仔細想想就會明白到人也是如此，能夠在傷痛之中走出來的人，往往也具備同理他人、療癒他人的能力；願我們都可以好好擁抱這個受傷又不完整的自己，接納並欣賞真正的自己、愛自己，在這宇宙中成為「愛」的本身。
老師常道「以香為師」，很慶幸自己遇上了一位良師，有緣成為這時代下的其中一位習香人，讓自己努力精進、好好修行，以作為載體把當中的愛和精神傳播開去。
Because of the recent exhibition, we’ve organized several workshops on tea and incense ceremonies. It was our first-ever demonstration of an incense ceremony here in Hong Kong, and it was such a profound and memorable experience for both the participants and us.
How it started
Allow me to share our story. It was in 2018 when we first met our incense teacher, Mr. Xiao, the founder of Heartbound Incense Sanctuary (Xin An Xiang Yin). We were connected at an exhibition in Taipei by the three sisters from Letterpress Tea House, who were also the organizers of the event. At that time, we had little knowledge of incense ceremonies, and our understanding of incense was quite limited. We had only heard that agarwood was considered highly valuable and precious, without truly grasping its profound significance and worth.
“Understanding comes from experience,” said the three sisters. Their abstract response cast a veil of mystery that compelled us to uncover the secrets that lay within. Feeling hopeful, we embarked on our journey of exploration. Much as we expected, the incense ceremony unfolded as a truly transcendent experience that completely transformed our perception and instilled in us a renewed understanding of the power and allure of fragrance.
Our first incense ceremony
In the skilled hands of our teacher, seemingly unremarkable pieces of wood emanated poignant fragrances that deeply touched our souls. As the incense ceremony unfolded,the hidden energy within the wood gradually revealed itself, showcasing its full potential and captivating our senses.
The tools and utensils used during the ceremony were delicate and compact, effortlessly capturing my attention. They felt unfamiliar yet intriguing: a pair of small silver chopsticks, a broom made with a feather, tiny bottles and boxes, and a small incense burner filled with ashes. They were nothing like the incense burners that I had seen in temples before. Despite appearing unrelated to everyday life, these small objects sparked my imagination, making me contemplate their significance within the realm of daily existence.
From arranging the ashes to meticulously placing the incense, every hand movement of the ceremony host was gentle and composed. The ashes and wood shavings were so delicate, as if a mere breath could whisk them away. A serene atmosphere settled in amidst the precise and careful motions. Once the incense burner was properly set, it was passed around for everyone to partake of its aroma. The scent of agarwood permeated the air, inducing a sense of relaxation and tranquility, gradually calming the souls. Our senses became heightened, attuned to the subtleties of the soft and delicate fragrance that enveloped us. Like a warm, gentle stream, the aroma flowed through our nostrils and into our bodies, carrying with it a symphony of scents that evolved with time and temperature. While we all knew it was an agarwood, the fragrance itself revealed layers of fruity sweetness, elegant floral notes, and a delicate hint of nuttiness. The complexity and richness of the fragrance defied adequate description, for it could only be understood through personal encounter.
First-ever incense ceremony workshop in Hong Kong
It was in 2019 that I became an apprentice. During that time, I found myself at a personal low, feeling a sense of stagnation and a lack of inspiration in my creative endeavors. Out of the blue, the fragrance and essence of agarwood came to mind; and longing for healing and solace, I made the decision to travel to Taipei alone, seeking to study the art of incense.
From practicing alone to seeking opportunities and experiences outside, it took me several years to feel certain that I am on the right path.
It was a truly profound experience to share my belief in the art of incense with everyone during this exhibition. I am immensely grateful for the participation of each individual who joined me on this aromatic journey. Your positive feedback has only reinforced my conviction. What made this incense ceremony truly remarkable was that everyone present wholeheartedly immersed themselves in the fragrance. In those fragranced moments of tranquility, we became more aware of our own presence. In our busy lives, our thoughts are constantly scattered and our focus is often elusive; I feel that we all yearn for moments of stillness.
Agarwood is formed when Aquilaria trees are wounded, causing resin to be produced. This transformative journey can take several decades, even hundreds of years. Today, through some fortunate circumstances, we have the privilege of bringing these precious woods into our incense ceremony, transforming them into a soothing fragrance that heals the hearts of those present. It is sensible to say that fragrance and medicine share the same origin. Similarly, humans are akin to agarwood; those who have emerged from their own wounds and hardships often possess the capacity to empathize with others and offer healing. May we all embrace our wounded and imperfect selves, accepting and appreciating our true essence, and learning to love ourselves unconditionally. Through this journey, we become embodiments of love within the vast universe.
My teacher often says, “Let fragrance be your guide.” I feel fortunate to have found such a wise mentor and have the opportunity to study incense in this modern era. I am determined to improve myself and practice diligently, so that I can share the love and essence that is in the art of incense.
關於梨木製陶所
陶瓷作為媒介， 創作實用器物。器物創作存在於藝術與設計模糊的界線之間，二人以此作為切入點，重新思考自身對當代陶藝的理解與定義，創作出以生活為本、能經歷時間的器物作品。
About Toki Nashiki
With ceramics as the medium, we create practical ware/utensils. Such creation exists between the blurry line of art and design, where the two of us start to rethink our understanding and definition of contemporary ceramics, thereby creating practical ware that is grounded in daily life and stands the test of time.
