Mushin, Japanese Incense by Meleg Perfumes

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Mushin, Japanese Incense Meleg Perfumes 2020

7.5 / 10 40 Ratings

A popular perfume by Meleg Perfumes for women and men, released in 2020. The scent is woody-powdery. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Woody

Powdery

Sweet

Floral

Smoky

Fragrance Notes

Coconut

Indian sandalwood

Osmanthus absolute Violet

Violet

Jasmine absolute

Orris butter

Rose absolute Woods

Woods

Kyara oud

Nagarmotha

Perfumer & Creative Guidance

Matthew Meleg Brand owner, Perfume maker

Ratings

Scent

7.540 Ratings

Longevity

7.133 Ratings

Sillage

6.033 Ratings

Bottle

6.835 Ratings

Value for money

5.511 Ratings

Submitted by Odysseus, last update on 06/07/2025.

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Reviews

3 in-depth fragrance descriptions

04/18/2020

7
Bottle 4
Sillage 8
Longevity 7
Scent

Drseid
821 Reviews

Drseid

Meditative Oud...

Mushin goes on skin with an almost creamy orris and subtle, slightly sweet peach before moving to its heart. As the composition enters its early heart the top notes burn off leaving a (possibly frankincense derived) peppery, slightly woody accord resembling cypriol coupling with smooth non-fecal smelling real Oud as co-stars, and subtle dulled rose in support. During the late dry-down the cypriol-like accord remains, now shedding its peppery facet to leave only the woody aspect in support of the remaining Oud and dulled rose through the finish. Projection is below average, but longevity is excellent at over 12 hours on skin.

Mushin is a composition the perfumer has admitted is a work in progress (or at least was). The formula I believe has been tweaked multiple times, and I suspect the sample I have is from yet another tweak. Tweak or not, what I am sniffing while maybe not outstanding stuff, is quite pleasant smelling and complete. The composition opens a bit weird with the orris and subtle peach not quite working together, but things quickly improve and don't look back. The Oud used is definitely the real deal, and Meleg avoids the off-putting fecal quality found in a lot of compositions. None of that here, just smooth, slightly creamy Oud that melds with the cypriol-like woody, peppery accord and the supporting dulled rose very well. The bottom line is the approximately $111 per 30 ml bottle Mushin may be (or was) a work in progress, but the "very good" 3.5 stars out of 5 rated composition shows apart from the open it is pretty much complete, earning a solid recommendation to lovers of smooth real Oud focused compositions that are not off-putting in the slightest.

07/15/2020

8
Bottle 7
Sillage 7
Longevity 8.5
Scent

Pollita
256 Reviews

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Pollita

Top Review 41

Made for you

When I look at you, I see a future that I too would like to experience. Your ambition, your inner peace, your motivation, your versatility and your joy of life. All this I wish for myself as well. For now, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, whatever may come. You are a strong shoulder for me whenever I need one. You always have an open ear for everything I have to say. I love to spend my time with you, because it is always a pleasure to have you by my side. You give me strength and new motivation, no matter what goals I want to achieve. You are a role model for me, for everything that may still come.

Already with the first taster Mushin, Japanese Incense I had a clear picture in mind. That of my dear friend. If I could choose a fragrance for her, it would be this one. The delicate blossoms of rose, jasmine, violet and osmanthus symbolize for me her connection with nature. The woody, mainly sandalwood tones show that she always has both feet on the ground; like a rock in the surf. And last but not least, iris and coconut stand for her wonderful joy of life and her smile.

The fragrance starts powdery and remains wonderfully delicate. Despite the typical lipstick notes, I love this fragrance, because it never seems artificial or overloaded. The floral accords are very natural, appearing like in a blooming garden, immediately after a rain shower. The sillage is in the moderate, pleasant range.

Mushin, Japanese Incense is an enchanting fragrance that I see primarily in a woman. A special woman with all these wonderful qualities. Nevertheless it is of course just as wearable for men. The fragrance fits to an elegant evening outfit as well as to sporty clothes. It always radiates a certain elegance and sublimity. A fragrance for contemplation, as well as for self-confidence and stamina. Attributes that unite to create something wonderful.

So often I have read here that perfumers see certain fragrances on their friends. Now I experience this with Mushin, Japanese Incense itself. My dear friend hardly ever wears perfume. But this fragrance would fit her perfectly. As if it had been made especially for her.

Many thanks to Floyd for this special fragrance experience, which touched me very much.

02/22/2020

8
Bottle 7
Sillage 8
Longevity 10
Scent

Can777
132 Reviews

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Can777

Top Review 57

Silence

The term mushin is a state of mind into which a martial artist can fall after many years of practice. Literally translated it means as many as "consciousness without consciousness". An open mind that is free of fears and feelings. All distracting thoughts are hidden. It only reacts intuitively and does not think about what the opponent will do next. It is the highest form of mental self-discipline in Japanese martial arts. Matthew Meleg spent about ten years in Japan, where he studied martial arts, culinary culture and incense. Mushin is a tribute to Kyoto, to the beautiful moss-gardens with the prayer shrines and to the Kyara-Oud. Probably the most famous incense wood which required the most beautiful temples. It was also partly inspired by the perfume of a meiko. A student and apprentice on the way to becoming a geisha. She was once a good friend of Matthew's. Her perfume at that time is very close to Mushin!

Mushin smells at first like powder or fine make-up. A very beautiful iris spreads on the skin with light chords of violet. Soft and woody tones of tissue paper are subtly added. You can almost hear it rustling. Soft tones of peach, or in this case osmanthus, blend in, as if a gentle wind were carrying them as you walk through a garden. It smells of cut, tender green rosebuds and stems and of creamy-milky sandalwood. In the end, everything is held by reverential, sacred and woody-sweet kyara-ud, all of which is sewn together in the most sublime way, like a hand-sewn pastel embroidery on a precious and fine silk kimono!
Conclusion
Mushin is liquefied rest and meditation. It is soft, creamy, powdery, delicately woody and has an extremely fragile structure. It is not a perfume to impress or impress someone. And if it does, it'll be you in the first place. It is fine, sublime, charming, subtle and restrained. It comes flying on the quiet wings of the Shintō and brings deepest immersion in itself. Mushin is not loud in his aura. It is more like a soft whisper or a gentle song that is around you. Mushin is olfactory concentration, restraint and silence. Seldom have I felt closer to Japanese culture than with this perfume. You can see in every single drop and note how much Matthew Meleg was and is in love with Japan and his city Kyoto!

In Japanese, it means "I love you..." Itoshi teru.. In my mind I have said this to Mushin several times already...
Charming,...just charming!