Sharp, medicinal, and cleanly woody. More camphorous and bitter than hinoki, with a particular astringent bite from hinokitiol. The woody base is clean and dry -- cypress-like but with a pharmaceutical edge. Less warm than sandalwood, less sweet than cedarwood. A serious, austere wood with antiseptic clarity.
Evolution over time
Immediately
Immediately
Sharp medicinal-woody, hinokitiol astringency
After a few hours
After a few hours
Clean cypress depth, bitter pharmaceutical edge
After a few days
After a few days
Persistent dry woody trace, antiseptic clarity
Terroir & Maturity
Indicative 2025 wholesale prices.
The Full Story
Hiba (Thujops is dolabrat a) is a Japanese persistent conifer whose wood and essential oil are known for unique aromatic profile and extraordinary natural resistance to rot, insects, and fungi. The oil is rich in hinokitiol (bet a-thujaplic in), a tropolone compound with powerful antimicrobial properties.
Hiba wood has been used in Japanese temple constructi on for centuries, known for durability and pleasant scent. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the wood shavings and contains hinokitiol, thujopsene, and other sesquiterpenes that give it a sharp, clean, slightly medicinal character distinct from Japanese hinoki (Chamaecypar is obtus a).
In perfumery, hib a occupies a specialized niche as a Japanese-orig in woody-medicinal note. It is sharper and more camphorous than hinoki, with a particular bitter edge from hinokitiol. The oil is used in traditional Japanese aromatherapy and increasingly in niche perfumery for its cultural connects and unique olfactory profile.
Hinokitiol, the signature compound of hiba oil, was first isolated in 1936 by Tetsuo Nozoe. It was the first tropolone compound found in nature, launching an entire branch of chemistry. The discovery earned Nozoe recognition as one of Japan's most important organic chemists.
Extraction & Chemistry
Extraction method: Steam distillation of wood shavings and sawdust from Thujopsis dolabrata. Oil rich in hinokitiol (beta-thujaplicin), thujopsene, and related sesquiterpenes. Production: Japan (Aomori Prefecture is the primary source).
Complex — key component: Hinokitiol / beta-Thujaplicin (C₁₀H₁₂O₂, CAS 499-44-5)
CAS Number
8007-20-3 (hinoki/hiba oil)
Botanical Name
Thujopsis dolabrata
IFRA Status
No known restrictions
Synonyms
Thujopsis dolabrata, Hiba arborvitae, Asunaro
Physical Properties
Odor Strength
Medium
Appearance
Pale yellow to amber viscous liquid
Specific Gravity
0.940–0.960 @ 25°C
Refractive Index
1.500–1.510 @ 20°C
In Perfumery
Hiba functions as a heart-to-base note in Japanese-themed, woody-medicinal, and aromatic compositions. Its hinokitiol content provides both aromatic character and antimicrobial functionality. Works in compositions evoking Japanese temples, forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), and contemplative woody themes. Pairs with hinoki, shiso, yuzu, and green tea.
