Two brothers. One formula. A scent that outlived an empire. Su Shi and Su Zhe — the two most celebrated scholar-officials of the Song Dynasty — did not just write poetry and govern provinces. They created a incense formula so refined, so perfectly balanced, that it survived them by a thousand years. This is 二苏旧局 (Er Su Jiu Ju): the Two Su Brothers Formula.
Who Were the Su Brothers?
Su Shi (苏轼, 1037-1101) and Su Zhe (苏辙, 1039-1112) are among the most famous literary figures in Chinese history. Su Shi is better known — he wrote the most famous moon-watching poem in Chinese literature, served as a governor in multiple provinces, and was exiled twice for political disagreements with the ruling factions of his time. Su Zhe was more reserved, more careful, and ultimately more politically successful — serving in high imperial positions for decades.
What fewer people know is that both brothers were serious practitioners of 文房四宝 (the four treasures of the study): calligraphy, painting, poetry, and incense. They burned incense while writing. They burned incense while discussing philosophy. They burned incense during their exile, when conditions were at their worst, as a way of maintaining civilizational continuity — of pretending, through fragrance, that their circumstances had not changed.
The formula they developed together — Er Su Jiu Ju — is documented in multiple classical texts, including the 香乘 (Xiang Cheng, 1630s). It is described as a complex, layered fragrance that develops significantly as it burns.
The Formula: What Goes Into Er Su Jiu Ju
Classical documentation of the exact ratios varies between sources, which is normal — the Song Dynasty practitioners treated their formulas as living documents, adjusting ratios seasonally and situationally. The core materials most sources agree on:
- 沉香 (Chenxiang / Agarwood): The foundation. High-quality agarwood provides the deep, resinous base that defines the blend.
- 檀香 (Tanxiang / Sandalwood): The structure. Sandalwood provides warmth and helps the blend burn evenly.
- 降真香 (Jiangzhen / Dalbergia odorifera): A uniquely Chinese aromatic wood, prized for its clean, slightly sweet character. Often called the “incense of scholars.”
- 零陵香 (Linglingxiang / Nardostachys): A root material from the high Himalayas, intensely aromatic and persistent. Used in small quantities.
- 枫香 (Fengxiang / Liquidambar): Adds a subtle fruity note and helps bind the blend.
Some versions add a small amount of 蜂蜜 (honey) or 花露 (floral water) to the blending process. The Su brothers reportedly used honey in their personal preparation — a detail that gives the formula its distinctive gentle character.
The Character of the Fragrance
Er Su Jiu Ju is not a single-note fragrance. It is designed to change over the course of a two-hour burning session:
First stage (0-20 minutes): The top notes emerge quickly — the bright, slightly sharp character of the linglingxiang, softened by the honey-treated base.
Middle stage (20-60 minutes): The heart of the fragrance develops. The agarwood and sandalwood come forward together, with the jiangzhen adding its distinctive clean sweetness. This is the stage the Su brothers valued most — the period of intellectual engagement, when the mind is alert but not agitated.
Late stage (60-120 minutes): The deeper resins take over as the burning temperature rises slightly. The fragrance becomes more contemplative, more internal — suited to evening reading or light meditation.
How to Prepare Er Su Jiu Ju
The classical method involves several days of preparation:
- Honey treatment: The base materials are ground and mixed with a small amount of quality honey. The mixture is shaped into small pellets and allowed to dry slowly in a covered container for 3-5 days.
- Aging: The dried pellets are aged for a minimum of one month, ideally six months to a year. During this time, the honey allows the different materials to bond at a molecular level.
- Burning: Use a standard incense burner with good airflow. A small amount — 0.5 to 1 gram — is sufficient for a two-hour session.
If honey treatment feels complex, a simplified version — skipping the honey and using pre-ground materials — will still produce recognizable results. The key is the quality of the base materials: decent agarwood, fresh sandalwood, and genuine jiangzhen.
Er Su Jiu Ju vs Other Classical Formulas
The difference between Er Su Jiu Ju and other famous classical formulas:
- vs E Li Zhang Zhong: E Li Zhang Zhong (Goose Pear) is lighter, fruitier, and better suited for short evening sessions. Er Su is more complex, more structured, better for sustained intellectual work.
- vs Xue Zhong Chun Xin: Xue Zhong Chun Xin (Spring in Snow) is primarily floral, evoking plum blossom in winter. Er Su is primarily woody and resinous, with more depth and less sweetness.
- vs Ling Xu Xiang: Ling Xu Xiang (Numinous Void) is designed specifically for Daoist meditation practice, with a cleaner, more austere character. Er Su is more suited to scholarly work and social settings.
Er Su Jiu Ju FAQ
Is the formula exact?
No classical source provides precise gram measurements — this was deliberate. The Su brothers adjusted ratios based on the quality of available materials, the season, and their mood. Treat the formula as a starting point. Adjust ratios to find what works for you.
Can I make a simplified version?
Yes. The core of the formula — agarwood, sandalwood, and jiangzhen in roughly equal parts — will produce something recognizably in the Er Su spirit. Add linglingxiang and a touch of honey if available. The complexity will be reduced, but the character will be there.
What is the best way to age the blend?
Keep it in a sealed container in a cool, dark place. Some practitioners transfer the blend between containers weekly during the first month to let it breathe. Others simply seal it and forget about it for six months. Both work.