Giving New Life to "Shaving Powder" Born from a Single Toothpick. Domestic Toothpick Maker "Kikusui Sangyo" and Incense Brand "Crystal Incense" Inheriting Traditional Techniques Launch 100% Natural Incense "Birch and Pyrethrum" on July 1st

The 100% natural plant-derived incense "Birch and Pyrethrum," upcycled from the precious birch shaving powder generated during the manufacturing process of domestic toothpicks, will be released in limited quantities starting at 8:00 PM on July 1, 2026. This product is a collaborative creation between Kikusui Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kawachinagano City, Osaka Prefecture, Representative Director: Akie Suenobu), which continues to protect the manufacturing of domestic toothpicks, and the incense brand "Crystal Incense" (Camp Joshi Inc., Master Perfumer: Michihiro Shibagaki, Head Office: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture), which has made the inheritance of traditional Japanese techniques, including those in Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, its brand mission. The wood powder generated during the process of shaving a single toothpick has been crafted into a fragrance by hand, based on the shared desire of both companies to "fully utilize the blessings of nature."

Background of Development: Utilizing the Life Within "Shaving Powder" Born from a Single Toothpick to the Fullest

In the process of manufacturing purely domestic toothpicks using birch logs from Hokkaido, fine wood powder (shaving powder) is inevitably generated during the shaving process. While efforts have been made to utilize this powder for other purposes as much as possible, there have been challenges in its stable utilization, and new methods to increase its value as a product were being explored. However, this wood powder is also a precious part of the birch's life, just like the part that becomes a toothpick.

Based on Kikusui Sangyo's desire to "fully utilize all the blessings of nature," they consulted with Crystal Incense, a company that creates products using natural materials, and this project began. Facing pressure from inexpensive overseas products, there are now only two companies in Japan that manufacture round-shaft domestic toothpicks (Kikusui Sangyo is the last in Osaka to manufacture round-shaft domestic toothpicks as a local industry). This product delivers the deep love that domestic toothpick manufacturers pour into a single toothpick and its materials in a new form.

A view of the birch wood shavings (wood powder) generated during the toothpick manufacturing process.

Incense Blending by "Crystal Incense," Dedicated to Inheriting Tradition and Craftsmanship

Crystal Incense operates with the goal of preserving and passing on Japan's traditional craftsmanship to future generations. In Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture, they receive special cedar wood powder from a local company that continues the traditional technique of grinding cedar powder using only watermill power, without any electricity, and create incense that inherits that technique and the artisans' passion. In this collaboration as well, they deeply resonated with the meticulous handwork of Kikusui Sangyo's artisans, who shave each toothpick individually, and their respect for nature. They developed a special summer incense, 100% derived from natural plants with no chemical additives, maximizing the characteristics of the "birch shaving powder."

Resonance of Craftsmanship: The Challenge of Creating Additive-Free Incense from "Birch Wood Powder"

Birch has low oil content, making it difficult to extract essential oils. Furthermore, it has been extremely difficult to shape it into incense without any chemical additives while maintaining stable combustion. However, through several months of trial and error by master perfumer Shibagaki and research into traditional manufacturing techniques, they succeeded in achieving both strength as incense and stable combustion without adding any chemical additives. Based on pesticide-free "tabu" powder ground by a watermill in Fukuoka, artisans carefully crafted each piece with the life of every tree and blade of grass.

Product Concept: A "Zen Fragrance" That Subtracts Stagnation from Space, Without Relying on Sweetness

This product does not possess the "floridity" or "sweetness" found in typical aromatherapy or incense. The base is the woody scent of birch, blended with powder from "natural pyrethrum," a plant that has accompanied Japanese summers since ancient times. By deliberately utilizing the natural scent of the materials, the moment the incense is lit, a nostalgic, subtly smoky aroma spreads, reminiscent of returning to a good old family home or the cool evening breeze of a summer day. Instead of adding fragrance, it subtracts stagnation from the space, clearing the mind and allowing for quiet introspection. It is an adult fragrance with a simple and serene presence that evokes a sense of "Zen." A handmade, additive-free incense, "CRYSTAL INSENCE Birch and Insect Repellent Chrysanthemum," made from birch wood powder and toothpicks, for this special collaboration.

Messages from the Representatives of Both Companies on the Joint Development

Comment from Akie Suenobu, Representative Director of Kikusui Sangyo Co., Ltd.

The birch shaving powder generated during the production of domestic toothpicks is not a product itself, but to us, it is a precious material born from the same birch tree. Crystal Incense has carefully considered this powder, which we had not been able to fully utilize until now, as a material and given it a new form as incense. We are very pleased to have been able to give shape to a small cycle born from the creation of domestic toothpicks on the occasion of our 66th anniversary. We hope that through this product, people will become interested in the background of domestic toothpick manufacturing and in manufacturing that makes full use of materials.

Comment from Michihiro Shibagaki, Master Perfumer and Head of Crystal Incense

Crystal Incense values inheriting and passing on Japan's traditional craftsmanship to the future. When I saw Kikusui Sangyo's toothpicks, I strongly resonated with the sincerity of the artisans for each individual toothpick and their deep love for the material, which extends even to the shaving powder, as someone involved in similar manufacturing. It was extremely difficult to shape incense without additives, but we were able to harmonize the pure scent of birch with pyrethrum, which has accompanied Japanese summers, to create a beautiful "Zen" fragrance that subtracts from the space. Please use it for a summer moment of quiet introspection.

Initiative Commemorating the 66th Anniversary of Kikusui Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Kikusui Sangyo, which has protected local industry techniques since its founding in 1960, will celebrate its 66th anniversary on July 1, 2026. To commemorate this, this product will be sold at a special price of 6,600 yen (tax included).

Additionally, as a purchase bonus, domestic toothpicks "Kikusui Shirakaba Toothpicks in a Bag (45 pieces)" which are also the raw material for this product, will be presented to online shop purchasers (limited to the first 50 customers at the Crystal Incense store and the first 30 customers at the Kikusui Sangyo store).

[Limited Collaboration] Incense "Birch and Pyrethrum" Approx. 60 sticks with Special Gift of Kikusui Shirakaba Toothpicks in a Bag (45 pieces)

【Product Overview】

Product Name: [Limited Collaboration] Incense "Birch and Pyrethrum" Approx. 60 sticks

Release Date and Time: July 1, 2026 (Wed) 8:00 PM onwards

Price: 6,600 yen (tax included)

Contents: 60 sticks

Burning Time: Approx. 15 minutes

Ingredients: Hokkaido birch wood powder, natural pyrethrum powder, Fukuoka prefecture tabu powder

Country of Manufacture: Japan (Fukuoka Prefecture)

Sales Locations: Crystal Incense Online Shop: [https://camjyo.theshop.jp/]

Kikusui Sangyo Official Online Shop: [https://kikusui-sangyo.stores.jp/]

【Company and Brand Introduction】

About Kikusui Sangyo Co., Ltd.

A manufacturer based in Kawachinagano City, Osaka Prefecture, that produces toothpicks in its own domestic factory, one of only two such companies in Japan. Since its founding in 1960, it has protected local industry techniques and is currently challenging itself to create new value for toothpicks through active information dissemination via social media (X / Threads) and collaborations with other industries.

Representative: Akie Suenobu, Representative Director

Location: 248 Takamuko, Kawachinagano City, Osaka Prefecture

Official Website: https://kikusuisangyo.co.jp/

Official X: @kikusuisangyo

About Crystal Incense (Camp Joshi Inc.)

A producing company that connects Japan's rich nature and craftsmanship to the next generation, with the philosophy of "Between People and Nature." In 2025, as a social startup certified by Fukuoka City, it is engaged in the production of incense upcycled from underutilized local resources (thinned wood and tea stems) and activities to inherit traditional techniques, and has been selected as a target project for Fukuoka City's official crowdfunding-based hometown tax donation program.

In addition to the natural incense brand "CRYSTAL INSENCE," which emphasizes additive-free and domestic production, it also develops inbound-focused outdoor and Japanese cultural production businesses that convey Japan's charm overseas.

Company Name: Camp Joshi Inc.

Co-Representatives: Karen Hashimoto / Michihiro Shibagaki

Central Office: 〒810-0001 7F ONE FUKUOKA BLDG, 1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Established: June 2019

Official Website: https://camjyo.com/

CRYSTAL INSENCE Official Online Shop: https://camjyo.theshop.jp/

CRYSTAL INSENCE Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystal_insence