Episode 8 : Memoir in a Perfume Bottle: A Journey into Japanese Incense with Maria McElroy

Aug 3

In this episode, we are joined by Maria McElroy, and she is just an utter delight. Maria has synthesized her love of blending colors and textures with her passion for scent. After receiving an MFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute, Maria continued her studies in Australia, becoming a certified aromatherapist. Later, she went on to live in Japan for seven years, where she studied Kodo (Japanese incense ceremony) and Japanese flower arrangement, along with other traditional Japanese arts. Maria shares her journey into the world of perfumery, inspired by her experiences with the rarefied incense ceremony called Kodo in Japan. She explains how Kodo is known to the tea ceremony, focusing on using olfactory senses to transport oneself into the moment. She emphasizes the importance of fragrance as a personal and intimate experience, and how her perfumes are designed to be delicate, sophisticated, and close to the wearer, creating a unique connection.

Episode Highlights:

Maria's love for blending colors and textures with her passion for scent.
Her journey from MFA in painting to becoming a certified aromatherapist.
Living in Japan for seven years, studying Kodo and Japanese flower arrangement.
Launching her fragrance line, Aroma M, inspired by Japanese culture and incense.
Discussion on Kodo and its similarities to tea ceremonies.
The art of listening to fragrance and its significance in Kodo.
Maria's experiences in traditional incense games and poetry.
How her Kodo experiences influenced her approach to perfumery.
Maria's preference for delicate and sophisticated fragrances in her line.
The relevance of incense in Japanese daily life and rituals.
Suggestions for experiencing incense culture in Japan.
Maria's favorite types of incense and their use in her life.