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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.stack.imgur.com/CdS1K.jpg)


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2014-03-03T12:15:22.357
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2020-02-08T02:07:01.663
2014-03-03T12:35:40.633
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beyond-the-boundary
What is this smoking item in Beyond the Boundary?


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.stack.imgur.com/XMjCom.jpg)


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2014-03-03T12:27:29.683
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2014-04-06T08:27:50.863
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answer


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.stack.imgur.com/DR5R7.jpg)


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2014-03-03T16:09:17.087
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2014-03-24T18:18:57.170
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