HA KO Paper Incense - Black - No. 1 Relax

Black No. 01 Relax is the quieter, woodier side of HA KO. Vetiver, cypress and Japanese hiba give it that unmistakable forest smell – earthy, green and slightly smoky – while bergamot brings a little freshness so it never feels too heavy.

It’s designed around relaxation, but thankfully not in an overly spa-like way. There’s something much more Japanese and restrained about it. The scent reminds me of damp wood, trees and that cool smell you get when you walk into a forest after rain. Very good when you want the house to feel a bit calmer without filling it with something obviously perfumed.

HA KO paper incense took five years to develop and is made by one of Japan’s oldest incense makers. Each beautifully detailed leaf can simply be left out to gently fragrance a small space, or burned as incense for a stronger hit of scent. The collection won a Good Design Award in Japan in 2019.

To burn, light the leaf, blow out the flame and leave it to smoulder for approximately 5–7 minutes on a HA KO felt burner mat or suitable heat-resistant surface.

Never leave burning incense unattended, keep away from draughts and flammable materials, and store out of direct sunlight to prevent discolouration.