parfums*PARFUMS Series 3 Incense: Kyoto (2002)
by Comme des Garçons

I grew up around temples (and incense) that have a scent similar to that of Kyoto's.

... And yet it still does not bore me, despite being decidedly linear. Comforting and contemplative.

On the other hand, people could say that "It's just incense." Well, tell them that you don't feel like carrying around burning sticks of incense.

Kyoto: i have never stepped inside Japan, leave alone Kyoto . it seems the be the most "wearable" of the incense series along with Jaisalmer. Kyoto smells of temple made of woods with ceiling darkened by the soot of incense, there is a odd ink note which reminds one of CDG 2 for a sec. the midnotes carry fresh breeze from the cedar/pine forest along with a healthy dose of florals and woody notes, all this one a solid base of amber and incense. The comparison to Christian lacroix Tumulte is very true, only tumulte lacks the intense incense laden basenotes, neverthless, tumulte could be a very good substitute for someone who wants to get a good idea of what Kyoto is all about.

CDG incense series:

The incense series in general, startled me at first. kyoto and Jaisalmer would probably be the two which would come across embracing you immediately, saying that it doesnt mean it doesnt have substance, only that the other two, Avignon and Zagorsk, are pretty bold, no holds barred, really intense scents but, couple of wears in to it and one would appreciate all of these for their respective qualities.

Incense series is dark, woody, smoky, mysterious, resinous, earthy, dusty and loaded with incense in general. though they all have the same characters, they smell poles apart from each other in their approach. a definite for someone who is looking for an adventure, a spiritual and meditative adventure in perfumery.

An incense scent with a fruity side. Its fruity side somewhat similar to Terre d'Hermes. It does not last very long but has good sillage.

The spray goes on almost invisible at first. I can detect some slight floral sweet notes, but that's it for its topnote. But in a few minutes, the fragrance starts reacting and amber with some cedar starts wafting. Several minutes after that, it dries down to a wonderful incense that doesn't get directly in your face like the Avignon.

The scent seemed almost too light when I applied it the first time. I was worried that it would disappear on me quickly, but somehow it endured and stayed around forever and a day. The scent stays pretty close to the skin, but with a light breeze, there shouldn't be any problem with the sillage.

It is inexplicable why, in the sweltering days of summer in Houston, Texas, I have had an urge to explore Comme des Garcons' Incense and Wood Series. It makes no sense and moreover, I did not grow up around incense (I'm not Catholic, Buddhist, Russian Orthodox, etc...) or any forests of note so these are not reference smells for me but wow, I am certainly enjoying these perfumes!

Comme des Garcons' Kyoto is the "prettiest" one of the incense series, an austere bunch of scents. It is most similar to CdG's Zagorsk but Kyoto is a wee bit more girlish and fruity incense whereas Zagorsk is uncompromising warm wooded incense. Another observation is that Kyoto is similar style-wise to CdG's Ourzazate in that they both start off powerfully and then gracefully scale back to become almost minimalist fragrances. If it weren't for today's energy prices, I would crank my air-conditioning way down, pull on a cozy sweater, spray on Kyoto and luxuriate in it! Winter can't come to the Gulf Coast fast enough.

Here are Kyoto's notes, per The Perfumed Court: incense oil, cypress coffee, teak wood, vetiver, patchouli, amber, everlasting flower and Virginia cedar.

Incense and woods. Very dry woods. Like in an old temple with large wooden crossbeams. Has a sweet tonka bean like base to it. Great but not impressive enough for a bottle.