Amaterasu

Notes: golden sandalwood incense, rice milk, bright cardamom, amber, dry wheat, and sunflowers The Shinto goddess of the sun and the universe and mythical ancestress of the Imperial House of Japan, Amaterasu illuminates all things and oversees the movement of day into night. Just as the rising and setting of the sun give order to the day, she rules the heavens and gives order to the universe. In one of her most celebrated myths, Amaterasu abandoned the world to hide in the Cave of Heaven. (Hey, she had her reasons! Who hasn’t wanted to hide in a cave at some point?) While she hid, the world was filled with turmoil, and the gods agreed that they had to find a way to lure her back, so they conferred and created music and dance to tempt her out -- thereby returning light to the world. An opening of bright cardamom gives way to a delightful blend of golden sandalwood and creamy rice milk. Rich amber and the nutty, grassy scent of dried wheat create a soft base, while a sunflower accord uplifts with its lightly floral, citrusy, herbal, and hay-like notes. Spicy, warm, and dry, Amaterasu is reminiscent of late summer melding into early autumn.