The incense used at a Ko-kwai ranges in value, according to the
style of the entertainment, from $2.50 to $30.00 per envelope of
100 wafers--wafers usually not more than one-fourth of an inch in
diameter. Sometimes an incense is used worth even more than
$30.00 per envelope: this contains ranjatai, an aromatic of which
the perfume is compared to that of "musk mingled with orchid-
flowers." But there is some incense,--never sold,--which is much
more precious than ranjatai,--incense valued less for its com-
position than for its history: I mean the incense brought
centuries ago from China or from India by the Buddhist
missionaries, and presented to princes or to other persons of
high rank. Several ancient Japanese temples also include such
foreign incense among their treasures. And very rarely a little
of this priceless material is contributed to an incense-party,--
much as in Europe, on very extraordinary occasions, some banquet
is glorified by the production of a wine several hundred years
old.

Like the tea-ceremonies, the Ko-kwai exact observance of a very
complex and ancient etiquette. But this subject could interest
few readers; and I shall only mention some of the rules regarding
preparations and precautions. First of all, it is required that
the person invited to an incense-party shall attend the same in
as _odorless_ a condition as possible: a lady, for instance, must
not use hair-oil, or put on any dress that has been kept in a
perfumed chest-of-drawers. Furthermore, the guest should prepare
for the contest by taking a prolonged hot bath, and should eat
only the lightest and least odorous kind of food before going to
the rendezvous. It is forbidden to leave the room during the