 The custom of burning incense was further developed and blossomed amongst the court nobility with the pastime of "takimono", a powdered mixture of aromatic substances.Fragrant scents played a vital role at court life during the Heian period, robes and even fans were perfumed and poems written about them, it also featured prominently in the epic The Tale of Genji in the 11th century.Samurai warriors would prepare for battle by purifying their minds and bodies with the incense of "koboku"; developing an appreciation for its fragrances.