Japanese art of ko:do: («way of incense») in leisure time culture: history and modernity

Japanese art of making and appreciating incense кo:do: («way of incense») is considered in the context of the Japanese tea ceremony and the Japanese art of flower arrangement, which constitute the «three major arts of Japan». The article gives a brief excursion into the history of the art of кo:do:, discusses the main types of aromatic raw materials and incense; a variety of entertainment and gaming practices which popularize this elitist art is analyzed in detail. On the example of the most important written records, which are still used as a guide by the basic Japanese schools of кo:do:, there are shown the importance and relevance of further study of the functioning of the unique art form that accesses to immutable values of national culture.