Hemp charcoal incense for the new worker | On nights when you don't want to see anyone, only smoke is around

Monday, 9 PM.

I couldn't find a seat on the train home.

As I stood, trying to protect my left foot that had a blister, I noticed my hand holding the strap was trembling slightly.

Mei Tanabe, a 22-year-old new employee.

Today, I didn't want to see anyone.

I didn't reply to the company group chat and bought cut vegetables and a canned chuhai at the convenience store in front of the station.

I might have chosen a darker-colored can than usual because I was feeling down, or maybe it was just a random choice.

When I got to my room, I stood in front of the shelf still in my suit.

Before taking off my shoes, I picked up a small black cylinder.

── It was incense made from hemp charcoal.

As I brought the lighter closer, a sizzling sound erupted, and smoke slowly began to rise.

My breathing, which I hadn't been conscious of, naturally deepened a little.

Smoky.

But not sharp.

It's neither sweet nor flashy.

Yet, it has a scent that gently rounds the "corners" of the space.

Mei sat down on a chair and stared at the smoke swaying in the shadow of the curtain.

My smartphone vibrated, but I didn't answer it.

It felt more important today to watch the flickering smoke than to respond to notifications.

The smoke shows the shape of the air in the room.

As if to say, "I'm right here."

That I am breathing in this space.

Mei thought.

It's okay not to try hard every day.

It's fine to have nights when I don't want to talk to anyone.

But on nights when I feel like "I can't even get along with myself," having "smoke" that doesn't give me words or instructions nearby makes a difference.

It's not about healing or organizing with fragrance.

It's just a presence that simply exists.

The scent of hemp charcoal had become that kind of presence for Mei.

Just before the fire went out, a small sound like "pachip" was heard.

It felt like a signal for the end of the night, and Mei liked that sound.

On nights when I don't want to talk to anyone, the smoke quietly stays by my side.
→ See the healing incense scented with hemp charcoal (20 pieces)

▼ New employee, Mei Tanabe's "Kyoto Hemp Leaf Storybook"
→ Cherry Blossom Seven Spice and Charcoal Seven Spice × New Employee | Sending memories of meals with fragrance for Mother's Day
→ Yuzu essential oil and Hinoki essential oil × New Employee | The scent that organizes becomes the breath of night and morning.