Inked Hinoki

Drawing on Japan, this extrait looks at a single wood, hinoki, through the idea of restraint. Composed by Steve Guo, it is built on a dry, clean clarity that recalls paper, timber and the quiet of an empty room.

Pink pepper gives a light prickle at the start, alongside the bittersweet green of angelica root and the needle-like freshness of cypress. Instead of flourish, the opening seems to clear the air. At the heart, hinoki's pale-wood character is supported by orange blossom and iris; the flowers are there less to add sweetness than to lend the wood smoothness and a soft, powdery edge.

In the base, white musk and ambroxan bring a skin-close transparency, while Thai oud drops in a faint note of depth.