Facet Shot Cup

Jicon is a porcelain brand. The brand name means "porcelain (JI) in modern times (CON)." In Buddhist words, JICON means "seize the day." It also denotes "porcelain (JI) created by the house of IMAMURA" of the Touetsugama kiln, founded 350 years ago. (Note that "IMA" means "modern times" in Japanese and can be paraphrased as "CON.")

JICON uses its unique blends of porcelain stones and glazes.  Traditionally in Arita, only pure white porcelain stones have been treasured as materials as they produce porcelain wares without the traces of pigments on the surface. However, the local resources have been almost depleted as porcelain stones with pigments or coloured tones are discarded.  The Touetsugama kiln originated in Mikawachi of Sasebo City in Nagasaki prefecture as a house kiln under the patronage of the Hirado clan. The kiln was redeployed to Arita in Saga prefecture by IMAMURA Shikao XII for its expansion and is currently succeeded by IMAMURA Kenichi XIV.JICON uses its unique blends of porcelain stones and glazes.  And, at the same time, such materials provide good workability for craftsmen. From an ecological point of view, these "lesser" materials should not be wasted but should be given a new life, thought Mr IMAMURA of JICON together with the designer, OJI Masanori.  JICON sourced materials from multiple locations and tried to come up with the best blend to match their ideals.  This was a time-consuming, tough project as such materials are often less workable, and in order to overcome the difficulty, they also needed to formulate the best conditions to kiln their works with unusual blends of porcelain stones.  In the end, they found that their works should be kilned at a much higher temperature than in the conventional method.   And, it also required a special blend of glazes which makes it possible to attain the ideal look and texture they envisioned.The results are JICON's unique, off-white porcelain wares with matte texture.  The products are tougher, heavier, and harder.  Although they sometimes indicate the traces of pigments on the surface, which actually are oxidized iron particles in the porcelain stones.  JICON thinks the traces of pigments or coloured tones are not something to be avoided but rather cherished.

JICON is a porcelain brand launched originally by Touetsugama kiln together with a Japanese designer, OJI Masanori.

The founder of the JICON brand, IMAMURA Hajime, later in 2014 became independent as IMAMURA Porcelain.

1) JICON has a matte finish which is characteristic of milky white porcelain.

2) Due to the matte finish, its surface is rough and not smooth

3) JICON is much harder than the conventional porcelain wares because it is kilned at a higher temperature than the conventional methods in the industry.

4) Because it is harder with the rougher surface, it kind of works as a file against metals (cutleries) and may result in streak markings.

5) Its milky white porcelain finish (HAKU-JI in Japanese) makes the markings stand out rather clearly.

6) However, such markings are traditionally understood as scenery to the HAKU-JI pieces in Japan, which is how they have been enjoyed for many years.

7) We would like you to understand that such markings to the JICON pieces should be enjoyed but not seen as defects or something that should be removed.If you do not appreciate these, it may be better to choose conventional plates with a smooth and shiny finish that are not marked easily with metal cutleries.

Each item is a unique display of craftsmanship.