"On a tranquil afternoon, we sat reading in the bell tower room of the temple, cooled by the gentle breeze. The exhaustion from hours of hiking and climbing faded away, making the journey worthwhile. Stepping out into the temple yard, I gazed at the surrounding mountains and the river flowing lazily below, feeling a profound sense of insignificance amidst this vast space. The temple, modestly nestled against the mountainside and cloaked in greenery, revealed itself subtly with its red wooden pillars peeking through, rather than standing out to catch the eyes of passersby.
As I stood there, looking down at the lush green Hinoki trees along the mountainside, emotions welled up inside me. My thoughts wandered to the concept of emptiness and the Zen koan "MU- (無)", "Nothingness" of Japanese monks. I felt like a mere speck of dust in this immense void. This feeling inspired me to capture it in the fragrance Sunya – In the Emptiness.
Sunya, derived from the Sanskrit word for Emptiness, was introduced in the Purity collection launched in 2018, alongside five other fragrances by Metascent perfumers. The highlight of Sunya is Hinoki. After this trip, I began incorporating Hinoki into my palette, finding in it a sense of tranquility, calm, and comfort. When combined with Cedarwood and Sandalwood, Hinoki's scent becomes balanced and harmonious, offering a unique base note, as these two woods are commonly used in renowned perfumes.
Black Pepper adds a distinctive touch to the top note, its woody undertones blending seamlessly with Hinoki and other wood scents. This is a fragrance that finds its right person to bloom. If you resonate with it, you'll adore it as if it were made just for you. If not, you won't even consider liking it. It's a clear YES or NO, with no MAYBE.
You have a breath
You have the air, and the sky
You have nothing but everything...
SUNYA
Hinoki
Black Pepper
Coriander Seed
Iris
Vetiver
Cedar
Sandalwood
White Musk
Sunya is more than just a scent; it's an embodiment of the serene emptiness and profound tranquility I experienced during my journey. Embrace it, and let it take you to that sacred space of stillness and peace.
(From my latest book - "Journey of the Scents")
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