Beautiful Plants For Your Interior
What: Source Texts
All 12 materials are drawn from three early monographs—Yiwu Zhi(Yang Fu, Eastern Han), Nanfang Caomu Zhuang(Ji Han, Eastern Jin), and Beihu Lu(Duan Gonglu, Tang)—the core trio in the Ancient Incense Section of Chinese Incense Literature Collection, covering herbaceous, resin, and animalic categories.
Why: The Point of Testing
- Identifying materials is the root of incense study—modern vendor descriptions ≠ classical records.
- Testing beats passive reading for retention.
- Makes a perfect parlor game at incense gatherings (yaji).
Who: For Whom
- Incense enthusiasts with 6+ months of experience
- Blenders who want systematic material knowledge
- Collectors of classical incense materials
- Readers working through Chinese Incense Literature Collection
How: Three Rounds
- Round 1 – Beginner (6 Qs): Scent + origin clues → name the material. Source: Yiwu Zhi. Pass: 4/6.
- Round 2 – Intermediate (4 Qs): Processing method + nature/meridian affinity → name it. Source: Nanfang Caomu Zhuang. Pass: 3/4.
- Round 3 – Advanced (2 Qs): Formula role + incompatibility → infer the material. Source: Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang · Zhuxiang. Pass: 2/2.
Rank Chart
- Beginner: 4–7/12 → can name mainstream materials
- Intermediate: 8–10/12 → understands nature & usage
- Advanced: 11–12/12 → reads formula logic, can recreate ancient recipes
Offline “Mutual Quiz” Variant
Print the 12 questions on archaic-style stationery; lay out the three source books on the table; add a small pinch of the actual material per question. Wrong answer? Flip the text on the spot. That’s where the quiz stays scholarship, not trivia.