There is a whole practice hidden inside burning incense, and it lives in these small tools.

What they do

Chinese incense practice, xiangdao, treats the ash bed as something you maintain. The implements level the ash, press powder into a shape, lift and place an ember, and sweep the surface clean afterward. None of it is necessary to make a room smell good. All of it is why people find the practice absorbing.

Learning to use them

Start with levelling. A flat, evenly compacted ash bed is the foundation for everything else, and getting it right takes a few attempts. Work slowly — these are sized for small precise movements, not for speed.

Storing them

Keep them together and dry. Ash is mildly abrasive; wipe each implement after a session rather than letting residue sit on the metal.

Care

Wipe with a dry cloth after use. Do not soak. Store in the stand or holder provided.

Details

• Traditional set of incense implements
• For use with an ash bed and burner
• Burner, ash and incense not included