Spring Epistle in the Snow, this is a must-have incense blend for every Chinese perfumer. The original recipe comes from a legendary tale that is over 1000 years old - Su Shi (also known as Su Dongpo, AC 1037-1101), one of the most famous politicians, artists, and calligraphers in Chinese history. Despite numerous setbacks throughout his 64-year-long life, he was a figure of optimism and breadth of mind. His seminal works— expressed through poetry, prose, and painting— have inspired numerous generations, and even transcended national boundaries. (His poems have even been translated into English in the volume "Selected Poems of Su Tung-Po.")
Photo: Partial of "Ode to the Red Cliff" calligraphy by Sushi, collected by the National Palace Museum in Taipei. It is a famous piece in the history of ancient Chinese literature, which depicts the complex process of the author's mind from conflict and sadness to transcendence and sublimation.
It took him 7 years to make this incense. Su Shi patiently waited for a snowfall in early spring in Hangzhou, a city in eastern China. This snow, which fell upon exploding plum blossoms, was the final and most crucial ingredient for the incense. Su Shi asked his beloved Chaoyun to lightly brush off the snow on the petals of the plum blossoms in the courtyard. He stressed the need of a deep love for nature and plum blossoms. Next, he skillfully mixed snow with fragrant powders like Aloeswood, Sandalwood, Cloves, and dried plums. This led to his famed "Spring Epistle in the Snow" - an everlasting gem of traditional Chinese literati incense.
Artists, with their keen sensory perception and aesthetic expression, have thus constructed a new olfactory aesthetic.
In my opinion, it encapsulates Su Shi's understanding of life through tumultuous ups and downs, particularly in his middle age. Even in despair situations, he still found hope - like plum blossoms braving the harsh winter and blooming even more brilliantly in the biting frost and snow. This dash of color provides a glimpse of the hope of spring and the vigorous vitality of life, offering boundless courage and anticipation.
Photos: Plum blossom in the snow
The interpretation of this blend is endless cold, tranquility, but also a hidden vitality. The initial chill comes from Long Nao and frankincense, which perfectly combines with the sweet scent of plums, giving the fragrance a quiet, elegant, and not too sweet feeling. The middle notes subtly hide the acidity and medicinal scent of the plum. At last, the woody notes of agarwood and sandalwood provide a warm, mellow woody scent, giving a calm feeling, letting one feel the hidden warmth in the endless coldness.
By using a variety of fragrances to simulate this scene, instead of directly extracting the scent of plum blossoms by distillation, this is precisely where the artistic essence of Oriental fragrances lies.
Everyone in life goes through valleys more than once, which are just like the long and unbearable winter. However, as long as we have hope and faith, spring will eventually come. On this point, the Chinese culture of praising plum blossoms has similar wisdom proverbs in the West, every cloud has a silver lining.
The Blank Canvas between Winter and Spring Elicits Feelings of Hope.
Before ending, I’d like to share a poem that I love a lot and also became the inspiration of our perfumer for this blend.
I Love the Spring Yet to Come
Author: Ba Yaya
I love the spring yet to come
Last year's seeds fell on the ground
This year's flowers have not yet bloomed
In this blank space
Many winds are brushing
Sweeping heaven and earth
Clean and neat
As if every second
Could be the starting point of a lifetime
Each grain of dust
Is shining with eternal light
