Acquisition and Consumption of Incense in Ancient Korea

This study investigates the pathways through which incense was introduced into ancient Korean society and examines how it was consumed within various social contexts. Specifically, it offers a multilayered analysis of the development of incense culture and its social significance, as revealed through its importation and distribution. Although incense was likely used even before the adoption of Buddhism, the influx of foreign incense largely occurred through Buddhist monks and interstate trade. A notable example is the record of incense being bestowed upon the Silla court by envoys from the Liang dynasty during the reign of King Nulji, which suggests an early point of contact with imported incense. Additionally, a Goguryeo monk named Mukhoja(墨胡子) is recorded to have transmitted the names and uses of incense, indicating its role not merely as an imported good but as a cultural intermediary. To understand the transformations that followed the introduction of new incense types, this study also examines earlier perceptions of incense. In earlier periods, incense was regarded as sacred and protected, but the subsequent influx of foreign incense shifted these perceptions by displacing the prestige of native materials. This shift is reflected in historical sources, such as King Silseong’s 413 decree banning the felling of incense trees and records concerning native aromatic plants like Nancho(蘭草) and Hyecho(蕙草). The growing preference for imported incense eventually led to the emergence of uniquely local practices, such as maehyang(埋香), the burial of incense to generate fragrance over time. The consumption of incense in ancient Korea spanned a wide range of contexts－including religious rituals, royal funerals, medical treatments, and the purification of spaces－while also serving as a symbol of authority and social hierarchy. As the preference for foreign luxury goods－including incense－became excessive in the eighth century, King Heungdeok issued a sumptuary decree to restrict their use. Through the lens of incense, this study comprehensively examines historical phenomena in ancient Korea, including foreign relations, the reception of Buddhism, and the structure of social hierarchy. Future research incorporating archaeological evidence and foreign case studies will help expand the scope of incense culture studies in Korea.