<p>This is a kind of burning incense. Its spiral form is a nice design decision, because it is both cool-looking and takes up much less space on the table than the more common stick form.</p>

<p>This form is also used for alletrine burning insecticides and repellents <sup><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cIom8yBBku0/UhHfgef_uXI/AAAAAAAAAFM/ibGvDvkhgO4/s1600/R0026774.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">1</a>, <a href="http://luchudachi.ru/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/spiral_ot_komarov_iz_tesco_lotus-1293257453.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">2</a></sup>.</p>

<p>Also, because the characters of this series often use various magical tricks to affect apparitions, this spiral incense might be designed to repel them.</p>

<p>Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha also shows one of these spirals: </p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/XMjCom.jpg" alt=""></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-21T20:36:36.753Z
But in Inari this is probably just the mosquito repellant thing.
Mindwin Remember Monica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-03T12:27:29.683Z
2014-04-06T08:27:50.863Z
2014-04-06T08:27:50.863Z
Hakase
<p>This is what is commonly known as a "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito_coil" rel="nofollow noreferrer">mosquito coil</a>." These are mosquito-repelling incense, in spiral-shaped (this particular shape was popularized in Japan) and made up of a dried paste of pyrethrum powder.<br>
I japan it's called "katori senkou" and it's usually green-ish swirly incense-like item, that you set on light and burn slowly. The smoke/smell that comes from it keeps the mosquito away.</p>

<p>As you may or may not know, just about all chemical repellents and insecticides contain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethroid" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pyrethroid</a>, which is a chemical imitation of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethrin" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pyrethrin</a>, found in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethrum#Insecticides" rel="nofollow noreferrer">pyrethrum</a>.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/DR5R7.jpg" alt="Katori Senko"></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-03T16:09:17.087Z
2014-03-24T18:18:57.170Z
2014-03-24T18:18:57.170Z
кяαzєя
<p>This is set on one of the tables in episode 9/10 and seems to burn inwards, pieces falling off as it goes - creating the spiraled chunks on the plate.</p>

<p>I've never seen anything like this before, is it something that exists outside of the show and what is its purpose?</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/CdS1K.jpg" alt="Spiraling smoking object in question"></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-03T14:32:31.993Z
If you're looking to buy one or just have a look at more on the internet, they're commonly known as incense coils.
erapago
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-03T23:56:36.930Z
I used to have many of that thing. I never though that it's consider as a weird thing outside my country. It produce smoke, but it doesn't smell nice. That's a mosquito-repelling incense, but it's not very effective.
Darjeeling
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-04T06:04:00.873Z
No mosquitos where I live ^^;
Toshinou Kyouko
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-04T06:06:06.900Z
You must be live in heaven
Darjeeling
<beyond-the-boundary>
What is this smoking item in Beyond the Boundary?
# What is this smoking item in Beyond the Boundary?
Posted by: username_0 on 2014-03-03
This is set on one of the tables in episode 9/10 and seems to burn inwards, pieces falling off as it goes - creating the spiraled chunks on the plate.

I've never seen anything like this before, is it something that exists outside of the show and what is its purpose?

![Spiraling smoking object in question](https://i.sstatic.net/CdS1K.jpg)
**Tags:** beyond-the-boundary
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: If you're looking to buy one or just have a look at more on the internet, they're commonly known as incense coils.  
> **username_2**: I used to have many of that thing. I never though that it's consider as a weird thing outside my country. It produce smoke, but it doesn't smell nice. That's a mosquito-repelling incense, but it's not very effective.  
> **username_0**: No mosquitos where I live ^^;  
> **username_2**: You must be live in heaven  
---
## 2 answers
### Answer by username_3 on 2014-03-03. Score: 5 | Accepted answer
This is a kind of burning incense. Its spiral form is a nice design decision, because it is both cool-looking and takes up much less space on the table than the more common stick form.

This form is also used for alletrine burning insecticides and repellents [1](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cIom8yBBku0/UhHfgef_uXI/AAAAAAAAAFM/ibGvDvkhgO4/s1600/R0026774.jpg), [2](http://luchudachi.ru/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/spiral_ot_komarov_iz_tesco_lotus-1293257453.jpg).

Also, because the characters of this series often use various magical tricks to affect apparitions, this spiral incense might be designed to repel them.

Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha also shows one of these spirals:

![](https://i.sstatic.net/XMjCom.jpg)
> **Comments:**
> **username_4** (2014-07-21): But in Inari this is probably just the mosquito repellant thing.  
---
### Answer by username_5 on 2014-03-03. Score: 8
This is what is commonly known as a "[mosquito coil](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito_coil)." These are mosquito-repelling incense, in spiral-shaped (this particular shape was popularized in Japan) and made up of a dried paste of pyrethrum powder.  
I japan it's called "katori senkou" and it's usually green-ish swirly incense-like item, that you set on light and burn slowly. The smoke/smell that comes from it keeps the mosquito away.

As you may or may not know, just about all chemical repellents and insecticides contain [pyrethroid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethroid), which is a chemical imitation of [Pyrethrin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethrin), found in [pyrethrum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethrum#Insecticides).

![Katori Senko](https://i.sstatic.net/DR5R7.jpg)
---
