burning incense without revealing its source; pleasant smell from an unknown origin
Refers to the practice of burning incense in a way that the source is not obvious, or to a pleasant fragrance whose origin is unknown. Often used in literary or aesthetic contexts.
The scent of incense burned without an obvious source is drifting in the room.
A pleasant smell came from somewhere unknown, and I felt at ease.
Rare variant using 炷 instead of 薫.
Compound of 空 (そら, 'sky; empty') and 薫 (だき, from 薫く, 'to burn incense'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain.