On an island in the Seto Sea of Japan, the oldest Shinto shrine sits in the spot where two gods, according to legend, came to birth the world’s first land mass: Awaji. Woody and lush, Awaji represents the beginning of time. It has also come to embody the ancient tradition of incense-making. The Paris-based company Astier De Villate sources its materials from the island, and has been coming to the site for years. But with each trip, it sees fewer artisans than the previous year. In support of artisans everywhere, who are increasingly threatened by mass production, this video honors the process of incense production on Awaji. —C.J.F.