As we approach the New Year, it's time to take a moment to reflect on ourselves. L'Artisan Parfumer's La Ceremonie de Ronson, imbued with a "sacred light," is the perfect fragrance for such a tranquil time. Astute editor and essayist Aso Aya offers advice on winter fragrances, unraveling the divinity inherent in this scent.
Text by Aya Aso
Photo by Senta Murayama
Photograph by Senta Murayama
[Article published in the July 2026 issue of Kronos Japan]
"Holy Light" that Lights Up Winter
This fragrance features olibanum (also known as frankincense), which has been widely used in meditation and prayer since ancient times. By blending it with cedarwood and black pepper, the olibanum's contours emerge even more clearly, creating a beautiful fragrance. Its deep, spicy scent is as if it were taking you on a journey through silence, touching upon memories from the past or the depths of your present self. "La Ceremonie de Ronson Eau de Parfum." 75ml. 40,480 yen (tax included).
The period between Christmas and New Year may be the perfect time to reflect on oneself. As the year comes to an end, it's a time to reflect on the past and the future, to reflect and look forward to new resolutions and wishes. When it comes to scents, not only glamorous party scents but also calming, introspective scents somehow seem to fit the bill. For example, L'Artisan Parfumerie's "La Ceremonie de Ronson."
L'Artisan Parfumer is a long-established fragrance brand. Founded in 1976 in Paris, France, the brand strives to be "artisans of fragrance," pursuing contemporary, artistic scents that transcend the boundaries of traditional fragrances. Despite undergoing a series of retailer changes, the brand has remained deeply popular in Japan, and officially re-launched in 2025. It currently has a stylish exclusive store in Omotesando.
The fragrance I would like to recommend this time, La Ceremony de Ronson, suits quiet, deep breathing. Its fragrance note is, quite simply, incense. However, translating "incense" as "incense" may be a bit of a misnomer. When Japanese people think of incense, they tend to think of the incense sticks used in offerings at Buddhist altars or when burning incense, but the object of offering is not Buddha but God. It is more like a cathedral than a temple, and more like the light that shines within it than the smoke itself. Come to think of it, the gold lettering on the jet-black bottle is like a ray of light shining into tranquil darkness. In other words, La Ceremony de Ronson is a fragrance that exudes the "holy light of divine attributes."
The origin of "perfume" is said to date back to around 3000 BC, when fragrant wood was burned to produce "incense." The word "perfume" itself comes from the Latin "per fumun" (through smoke). In other words, incense was an act of prayer offered to God through smoke, and wearing fragrance was a way to connect with God.
At the heart of La Ceremonie de Ronson is olibanum, a frankincense. It was one of the gifts given to the newborn Jesus by the Three Wise Men from the East, and is a scent considered a symbol of divinity. The brand's founder, Jean Laporte, encountered the resin of a tree growing on the Red Sea coast during his travels, which served as the inspiration for the fragrance. The depth of cedarwood and accents of black pepper further enhance the pure fragrance of olibanum.
As you close your eyes and embrace the holy light, the lustrous black corridor leading to the cathedral appears in the darkness. Calming your mind and guided by the faint light, you walk quietly down this "corridor of time." The scene, painted by the cool scent of winter, is simply beautiful.
Author Profile
Aya Aso
Beauty editor/essayist and copywriter. Raised in Tokyo. Over 30 years of experience in the beauty section of women's magazines, she has served as deputy editor-in-chief of "25ans" and "Fujingaho" (both published by Hearst Fujingaho) and "VOGUE JAPAN" (Condé Nast Japan), as well as editor-in-chief of "etRouge" (Nikkei BP). Her hobbies include beauty, finding delicious food, watching depressing anime, and engaging in other niche activities.
