Minorien have joined a select number of companies releasing a high end kyara incense and it’s the triumph of their line. Fu-in Kyara Ryugen is a dry, floral kyara unlike any other, the logical extension of Minorien’s aloeswood-based incenses. You only get hints of this from the Fu-in Kyara incense, which was an incense that seemed a refinement on their Fu-in Aloeswood. This is more than a refinement of the Fu-in Kyara, it’s a move to a more floral aroma than the rest of their incenses, an aspect that seems to come from the quality of the wood. The first time I sampled this, I was thinking the incense had the really dry qualities of all the Minoriens but more deluxe. Thereafter, the presence of this stick was like a garden of black blossoms at midnight, evoking my imagination to even encompass the sheer decadence of this incense. One gets the impression this is going to sit right next to classics like Sho-Ran-Ko, Enkuu, Myo-ho or Koh Shi Boku as one of the truly premiere incenses. I get the impression that I’ve only just begun to explore this one and will be doing so for a long while. [9/2/21: Please also note the much more affordable smaller box option as well.]
Minorien/Fu-in Kyara Ryugen
May 8, 2008 at 10:22 pm (Agarwood / Aloeswood / Eaglewood, Floral, Incense, Japan, Kyara, Mike, Minorien, Woods)
Olfactory Rescue Service 
greg said,
November 7, 2010 at 6:54 pm
yup, there is no ‘ plasticky’ oil smell here to muck up the deep, natural aloeswood scent. as all kyara incenses are to a greater or lesser extent renditions, Minorien’s blender has opted for a more woody approach with just enough oil to underline the kyara scent but never overpowering the woodiness. as my entire home decor is dark wood including bamboo flooring, mahogany furniture, ebony steinway piano, etc…so i don’t know what you’re talking about- lol!
moendie said,
August 23, 2013 at 6:03 am
Thx for sharing ‘ ..there is no ‘ plasticky’ oil smell here..’ , no regret for this one, what can you ask more from an incese this good 😛
glennjf said,
October 24, 2010 at 3:13 am
I’ve had a little sample of Ryugen set aside here for some time now. I wanted to wait before lighting it, to find the proper moment. I finally found myself in a let’s light it and see type frame of mind a few days ago, so what to say? A couple of inhales and this incense went at the very top of my list.
I put it out and re-lit and put it out and re-lit over a couple of days, so who says there’s no paradise can be found on this earthly plane?
Steve said,
November 10, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Have been carefully hoarding my 20 sticks of Kyara Ryugen for a year. I can’t possibly add to Mike and Ross’ beautiful imagery, only to say they are not exaggerating. This is an amazing stick. At about $3.50 per stick, it is by no means inexpensive – but it’s also not in the price stratosphere obtained via premium Shoyeido, Baieido and other’s top-of-the-line offerings. It’s presence is strong and it noticeably scents the air even before being lit. This is easily in the top 10 incenses I have encountered. I want to burn this in my closed clothes closet, scenting all my shirts!
– Steve
Couple new items « Olfactory Rescue Service said,
January 14, 2009 at 8:53 am
[…] foot! Second, she’s got two notable new items in stock now. First, you can get the fantastic Minorien Fu-in Kyara Ryugen in mini boxes now. This is one of my favorite incenses and you even get a neat little wood box with […]
Best Incense - May 2008 « Mike’s Prattle said,
May 27, 2008 at 7:29 am
[…] Minorien / Fu-in Kyara Ryugen – Jin-koh means incense that sinks in water. That would make the kyara used here seem like an anchor dropped off a ship. There’s a density of scent here with a subconscious level of depth to it. This is an incense that demands one’s attention constantly during the burn. I’m thinking of the way snowflakes are all different, Ryugen constantly spins off different combinations and levels of the aroma, as if it was looking for the right buttons to press on your memory. Like some exotic night blooming flower only found in the most remote areas of the jungle, this is dark, beautiful and mysterious all at once. […]
Mike said,
May 22, 2008 at 7:43 am
More and more I wish I would have waited a couple weeks on this article, but even if I had I’d probably still be thinking the same thing. More and more I’m coming to see this as one of the finest Japanese incenses available. It has a real presence. You can forget you lit a stick only for a waft of the aroma to stop you in what you’re doing. This happens to me at least three times every stick. The kyara in this is so heavy it could attract moons. The darkness of the floral qualities remind me of lotus, Kali the destroyer, the female black widow, almost anything you’d consider both exquisitely beautiful and totally deadly. All morning I’ve had this scent cloak my memory. Right now the wind’s whipping up in the California central valley, yet the memory of this is like stillness in the wind.
Mike said,
May 15, 2008 at 7:19 am
I received my full box of this. Just the scent of it is amazing. I’d wager its powerful smell is based on some sort of oil with the wood. The whole thing gives off the darkest of night vibe, very Saturn/Binah-esque, even Path of Tau (probably comparisons only germane to a kabbalist). It’s so dense aromatically that you don’t even need to burn a full stick, usually by about an inch or two the whole room is totally redolent. One of the very best incenses you can buy in the US.
Mike said,
May 12, 2008 at 7:03 am
Thank you both! 🙂
Mark said,
May 12, 2008 at 6:15 am
Mike that sounds so sexy! You’re very skilled at creating images:
“black blossoms at midnight”
“intense, decadent, mirage-like perfume”
Lovely!
Mark
Mark said,
May 12, 2008 at 6:13 am
Mike that sounds so sexy! You’re very skilled at creating images:
“black blossoms at midnight”
“intense, decadent, mirage-like perfume”
Lovely!
Mark
Ross said,
May 10, 2008 at 9:33 pm
It took me some time to really listen or taste this one. At first I thought it was good but could tell there was more going on then I was in a mood to comprehend. Its very different from say, Shoyeido, Shunkohdo ro Baieido kyara’s. I “got” the dry part you mentioned right away and I could sense that it was going to be really good, but it was not till the third time trying it that the florals and all the rest(its more then just floral) came through. Then “it’s a whole new ball game”! I love the image you gave of the “black blossoms at midnight”. Pretty poetic description that really fits the taste. There are so many layers going on here. This is not in your face Kyara, this is more of a meditative, prepare for the long journey within and bring extra socks, it might be a while, kind of thing. Its very beatiful. I found that I had to really put aside any expectations or effort and just let it do its thing. Thats the meditative aspect to me, you can’t go after the taste, you have to let it come to you.
All that being said I can hardly wait for my next paycheck to get a box:)!
Ross