noun
General term for incense, especially traditional Japanese incense used in ceremonies or for fragrance.
部屋に薫物の香りが漂っている。
The scent of incense is drifting through the room.
noun
fragrant mixture for incense
Refers to the blend of aromatic woods, herbs, and other materials used to make incense, often in a traditional context.
この薫物は白檀や丁字などを調合して作られる。
This incense mixture is made by blending sandalwood, cloves, and other ingredients.
Compound of 薫 (kaoru, 'to be fragrant') and 物 (mono, 'thing'), literally 'fragrant thing'. The reading たきもの comes from 焚き物 (takimono, 'burning thing'), reflecting its use as something burned for fragrance.