August, 2015
Visiting Jicon in Arita, Japan
During our visit to Japan we had the pleasure of visiting the Jicon showroom and workshop located in Arita, Japan. At Mjölk we are only carrying stock of two different plates and the Jicon collection is our most refined service. The brand was co-founded by Japanese designer Oji Masanori and Imamura Kenichi with a focus on creating beautiful everyday objects made from Amakusa Touseki (porcelain stone).
The word Jicon means “porcelain (ji) in modern times (con).” In the Buddhist words, JICON is very similar to the phrase Carpe Diem, meaning “seize the day”. The history of the Imamura family making porcelain dates back 350 years, as a house kiln under the patronage of the Hirado clan.
The most striking realization about visiting Jicon in person was that the entire production is done entirely by husband and wife Imamura Kenichi and Imamura Maki. To see the hand process was a revelation, and gives us a greater respect and appreciation of these beautiful objects.
We hope you enjoy these images and videos.
A beautiful sign board designed by Oji Masanori.
The showroom.
Porcelain exposed knob and tube wiring. Something surprisingly beautiful in its purity, but for safety reason illegal here in North America.
Broken fragments of antique porcelain fill the cracks in the concrete floor.
A mix of brass works, and the Jicon pitcher by Oji Masanori.
The kiln.
Imamura Kenichi shaping a meshi-wan bowl.
The potter wheels look out onto a small courtyard.
Imamura Maki wiping the dust off each porcelain work.
The glazing process.
Their son drew this, of all the people directly involved in the process, including a portrait of Oji Masanori.
A few other noteworthy highlights: On left, champon, a local to the region specialty (this photo was taken in another town, closer to the sea). On right, where they used to get porcelain materials from, however, now there is nothing left.
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Visiting Jicon, part 2
We were so impressed by Jicon and their small production and processes that we managed to take a couple of videos.
Imamura Kenichi shaping a meshi-wan bowl.
Imamura Kenichi showing us the glazing process. Each piece is individually handled from start to finish. Incredible!
