My aspiration in writing this book was to forge a subtle connection between scent and the nurturing kotodama of words, enriching personal growth and well-being. It is also a way to share my deep love and passion for Japan—a spiritually rich culture that nourishes the soul, cultivates awe and reverence for life and nature, and finds joy in simplicity.
For our Brisbane launch, we are honoured to welcome special guests from Japan:
• Chief Buddhist Priest Sousin Takeuchi of Jimyo-in Temple, Koyasan, who contributed much of the calligraphy for the book, will share his profound spiritual wisdom on the meaning of kotodama and the practice of Shodo (Japanese calligraphy).
• Hitomi Takeuchi, a tea ceremony master, will perform a traditional tea ceremony, explaining the profound meaning of wakei-seijyaku associated with this ancient practice.
• Kiyo Yamamoto, our invaluable business partner and translator of Kotodama of Scent into Japanese, will be our translator for the day.
We will also launch the Kokoro collection, a collection of five stunning essential oil blends; possibly my best creations ever, that embody the kotodama of my most favourite Japanese words in the book – kokoro, ikigai, kintsugi, natsukashi and wabi sabi.
As Reverend Daiko Matsuyama, Deputy Head Priest of Taizo-in Temple, Kyoto, says:
"Salvatore's ambitious and innovative experiment of combining kotodama with scent is a remarkable endeavour. I hope that through Kotodama of Scent, people around the world can gain a deeper appreciation for the complex and rich worldview that Japan has cultivated."
May Kotodama of Scent be your fragrant journey to the soul of Japan.
Brisbane Launch Details:
• Date: Sunday, May 18th
• Time: 9:30 am registration for a 10:00 am start, concluding at 12:30 pm
• Location: Perfect Potion, 7 Guardhouse Road, Banyo
• Investment: $49.95 (includes a copy of Kotodama of Scent)
• What to bring: Pen and paper (optional). Morning tea and light refreshments will be provided.
Program for Brisbane Launch:
• 9:30 am: Registration
• 10:00 am: Welcome to Kotodama of Scent
• 10:30 am: Interview with Chief Buddhist Priest Sousin Takeuchi, exploring the meaning of kotodama, his favourite Japanese word, the art of Shodo, and life at Jimyo-in Temple, Koyasan.
• 11:00 am: Tea ceremony performance by Hitomi Takeuchi
• 11:30 am: Morning tea break
• 12:00 pm: How to use Kotodama of Scent to flourish and nurture your well-being
• 12:30 pm: Explore the Kokoro collection
For those living interstate who can't make it to the Brisbane launch, we'll be livestreaming the event.
