kneaded incense; incense pastille
A round cake of kneaded incense, traditionally used in the Japanese incense ceremony (香道). The term refers specifically to the formed incense piece, not loose powder or sticks.
See also: 香道
In the incense ceremony, kneaded incense is warmed indirectly over charcoal to enjoy its fragrance.
This kneaded incense is made by blending aromatic ingredients such as sandalwood and clove.
線香 refers to incense sticks, which are thin and burn directly; 練り香 is a soft, kneaded cake that is heated rather than burned.
Common spelling using 練り (kneaded) and 香 (incense).
Abbreviated spelling; still seen but less common than 練り香.
Variant using 煉 (refine); rare and somewhat old-fashioned.
Rare variant combining 煉 and 香.
Compound of 練り (kneaded, from verb 練る) and 香 (incense). The spelling 煉り香 uses a character for refining, but the meaning is essentially the same.