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Dragon delights, good fortune arrives, the national treasure wishes you a Happy New Year

jiawei — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:13:39 +0000

What’s New

Dragon delights, good fortune arrives, the national treasure wishes you a Happy New Year

#Culture #Ikken #IkkenWhereAncientArtMeetsLifeAestheticsinJingtong

Look around for the dragon by your side…

We are all here on this blessed land by the grace of God,

Creating together,

Heaven, Earth, and People,

Coexisting and flourishing on this beautiful island.

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Exploring a Thousand-year Art Heirloom

jaffee — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 01:33:02 +0000

What’s New

Exploring a Thousand-year Art Heirloom

#MuralsOfTibet #LimitedEditionCollectible #IkkenWhereAncientArtMeetsLifeAestheticsinJingtong

From now on, we’d be able to access and appreciate these artistic masterpieces more so than an onsite tour.

“Ikken Antique Art and Lifestyle” has opened an “Anywhere Door” for aficionados of ancient artifacts and unravel the mystique surrounding the Tibetan culture. As the saying goes, “the smallest may hold the largest.” Luxury art book publisher, TASCHEN, combed through the inspirational substance of Tibetan art in Murals of Tibet for all to enjoy. For the first time ever, more than 200 pieces of Tibetan-Buddhism-inspired murals are curated and included in this collection, which also contains the oldest, most historically-significant paintings.

“Seeing is being there.” Don’t miss your guidebook to the otherworldly ether – Murals of Tibet, now on display at the exhibition space in Ikken Jingtong.

Details

Location: Jingtong Street, No. 167, Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan (find us on Google Maps)
Book a tour: Tour/Booking

* A kind reminder: please put on the white felt gloves placed by the book before flipping through the pages. Please be mindful and gentle in your handling of the book to help protect this rare gem. Thank you.

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Celebrate a Lasting Friendship with Ikken Handcrafted Soap Giftset: Ikken Jingtong Plant-based Handcrafted Cold Process Soap Bars

jaffee — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:57:48 +0000

What’s New

Celebrate a Lasting Friendship with Ikken Handcrafted Soap Giftset: Ikken Jingtong Plant-based Handcrafted Cold Process Soap Bars

#IkkenPremiumSoapBars #HandmadeColdProcessSoapBars #IkkenWhereAncientArtMeetsLifeAestheticsinJingtong

Gift-giving customs can be tricky to navigate, considering the many well-defined rules in the gifting etiquette and traditions. “Giving gifts from the heart” is undoubtedly the most successful form of gifting. There are plenty of unspoken rules to consider when preparing gifts: cultural taboos, usefulness, the extent of the friendship, timing and occasion. Ikken has taken care of everything so that you can enjoy the process without a worry.

Classicism and Modernity in Fusion, Heartfelt and Sincere, Beautifully Packaged

Olily International Group has been commissioned for the design packaging of Ikken’s expertly-curated gift, “Ikken and Auspiciousness: Ikken Jingtong Plant-based Handcrafted Cold Process Soap Bars.” OCD’s veteran brand design team developed a thoughtful giftset packaging plan to highlight the spirit of eastern aesthetic – the core of Ikken’s establishment practice.

The design team based their design on classic Chinese cultural emblems and made ingenuous use of the rich and fascinating imagery of the Chinese character, giving the “鼎” a modern spin to devise a timeless tripod design: the end-result symbolizes several meanings on different levels: solidity, steadfastness, promises made and wholehearted support. They also represent the gift-giver’s good wishes for the recipient.

The giftbox features a translucent, smooth finish to suggest Ikken Jingtong’s thoughtful, well-balanced business practice. The Japanese-style manor at Ikken Jingtong is classically characterized by large, floor-to-ceiling windows to lend plenty of indoor light. The inner space is spotless, bright and warm, like a fairy tale dreamland.

▲ Ikken Jingtong, where the sun dapples through and the florets dance on the flowering bushes to the chirps of songbirds. This is how quality time should be spent.

Thoughtful packaging features that elevate the art of gift-giving

Acknowledging the name, “Jingtong,” the design team found inspirations from nature, and arranged a set of four handmade soap pieces in the shape of a luck-bringing shamrock to symbolize blessings. A small ribbon is attached on top of the giftbox for the recipient to open the package – with delight.

Besides these ingenious giftbox designs, these tripod-shaped cold process soaps allow the soap itself to stay steady until dry. You can also treat yourself to an aroma-filled massage with the legs of the tripod while showering.

The ordinary handmade soap versus handmade cold process soap

The quality of the raw material aside, handmade soaps sold on the market consist of two kinds: “hot process” and “cold process,” yet the latter costs four to five times the price of the former. Ikken’s expertly-curated cold process soaps are different from the run-of-the-mill handmade soaps.

Those conventional hot process handmade soaps are ready to use in a day or two, since they are saponified in high temperature; yet this convenience comes at the price of a reduced amount of glycerine content, hence the lower quality. The skin would soon feel uncomfortably dry and taut after use.

On the other hand, Ikken Premium Soap Bars are made with a rather lengthy cold process method. The ingredients are put through hours of nonstop supervised stirring, minus any heat, to maximize the bars’ skin-protection quality; next, the mixture is poured into a mold, left to cool and harden. After hardening, it is removed from the mold and cut into smaller cakes to air-dry. Water is drained from the mixture for the follow-up hardening and de-alkaline process, which takes at least 60 days to complete.

The soaps, despite being time-consuming to make, are top-of-the-line in quality since the essence is preserved in full; the glycerine is contained in the bar to provide sufficient moisturizing properties to keep your skin supple and smooth.

Earth-Friendly and Local

“Ikken Jingtong Plant-based Handcrafted Cold Process Soap Bars” are made on the principles of environmental friendliness and “staying local.” Natively grown plants throughout Taiwan are studied, harvested, cleaned, processed, dried, ground, and the essence extracted for the soaps. Thoughtfulness is reflected every step of the way.

The collection contains six natural, plant-based soap bars. Other than the classic items – “Shell Ginger Soap,” “Leguminosae Soap,” “Silvery Wormwood Soap” and “Spanish Thyme Soap,” two new additions are developed: “Tuber Fleeceflower Shampoo Bar” and “Organic Rose Soap Bar for Face.” Four soaps are chosen at random to create a set for a luxurious head-to-toe pampering experience.

“Rose” – news reports about residual pesticides being found on dried rose petals are heard from time to time; with that in mind, we at Ikken went to great lengths to harvest fresh roses grown organic rose garden in Taiwan, early in the morning, and refrigerate them for straight delivery to the soap-making factory. Fresh petals are extracted and added to the production process. Organic rose petals are added into the soap base with deeply-moisturizing shea butter and olive oil to ensure that all the essential oils and fragrance in the roses are extracted and preserved. Use this luxuriously aromatic soap to cleanse and moisturize your face, because you’re worth it!

“Tuber Fleeceflower” – This soap is characterized by its potent cleansing properties that target the dead cuticles in your scalp, yet it’s still gentle enough to give your hair the bounce, the shine and lightness, while strengthening the roots to prevent shedding. One small dollop goes a long way so it’s water-saving. Pamper Mother Earth and your hair health at the same time!

“Shell Ginger” – The leaves and dried fruits of shell ginger used in the soap have been found to contain amazing skin-whitening properties. Grab a shell ginger soap bar for your bath, and it’s said to increase your romantic prospects and build great connections, as if being blessed by Yue Lao – the god of marriage and love.

“Leguminosae” – This soap contains Leguminosae and tea tree oil for a diversity of use. Other than at-home bath use, you can also take one when you’re on the road. The fragrance is calming and said to ward off disasters. It also rids the body of undesirable heat properties and toxins to stave off ill luck.

“Silvery Wormwood” – The soap contains silvery wormwood and its essential oil. The light fragrance offers an all-natural bug repellent. It also replenishes one’s energy and staves off unwanted cold properties in the body to revitalize blood circulation and protect you against bad fortune.

“Spanish Thyme” – This lovely soap bar contains Spanish thyme, aloe and patchouli oil. The unique herbal fragrance is complemented by the calming aloe to refresh the mind and soul, sooth the heart and revives the spirit. It regulates the digestive system, stops inflammation and itching. The plant also suggests “luck in hand,” “the gathering of good fortune,” and “great luck and wealth” when it’s pronounced in the Taiwanese dialect.

An Offering of Respect and Sincerity – Timeless, Everlasting

Ikken’s classic giftset is practical yet fashionable, delightful and enjoyable, bringing a loving touch to your daily routine. It’s a gorgeous expression of sincerity for the recipient. We at Ikken want deluxe pampering for your skin with all-natural, premium soap bars that are healthful yet environmentally-friendly. The plant-based ingredients are toxin-free and locally sourced. It’s a gesture of genuineness and well-wishing from the heart for the recipient.

We at Ikken are committed to the handcrafted, cold-process goodness in our soaps. No chemically-processed essences are used in our products. Carefully-curated, pure plant-based essence are meticulously portioned in the soap-making process. We hope to grow spiritually, physically and emotionally with our customers in the pursuit of naturalness, healthfulness and eastern aesthetic. Your loved ones and valued partners are worth the luxurious pampering promised in Ikken’s premium soap bars, for great blessings to come!

Ikken Jingtong Plant-based Handcrafted Cold Process Soap Bars (a set of four)
Originally priced at NT$3200; enjoy a special offer of NT$2600 NOW!

● Call to order:
TEL: (02) 2495-1801
Liaison officer: Ms. Lin at 0989-870-292

● Pick up your set (reservation required): Jingtong Street, No. 167, Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan (find us on Google Maps)
Make a reservation: Join our fan group on LINE: https://bit.ly/line_egain-ikken

Ikken Jingtong, Thoughtful, Well-balanced
Historic heirlooms – storytelling of an ancient manor, going on weekly
Reviving a cultural destination – art exhibition planning, available throughout the seasons
Innovation and value – themed workshops, intellectual enrichment throughout the seasons

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Online Booking for Admissions to the Estate During Soft Opening

morcept — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 03:34:23 +0000

What’s New

Online Booking for Admissions to the Estate During Soft Opening

#Culture #Crafts #Aesthetic

“When will our paths cross again, for good laughs and the twirling steam of tea?”

Li Mi of Tang dynasty

268 days have gone into the planning, the renovation and remodeling of this cultural space that celebrates history, culture, crafts, aesthetic and natural landscape.

Ikken: Where Ancient Art Meets Life Aesthetics in Jingtong

We’re still testing and exploring different possibilities. Despite the imperfections, Ikken Jingtong represents the best of our heart and soul.
Booking is required for admissions to the estate during soft opening. For more information, see “Book a Guided Tour.”
As if we’ve met, once upon the time.
Dedication, immersion, this is all there is to it.

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Craftsmanship Celebrated – An Exhibition of Antique Silver Kettles

jaffee — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 11:05:16 +0000

What’s New

Craftsmanship Celebrated – An Exhibition of Antique Silver Kettles

#AnArtExtravazanza #IkkenWhereAncientArtMeetsLifeAestheticsinJingtong #2023FineArtTaipei

The first large-scale antique art exposition ever held in Taiwan kicked off in the exhibition room on the third floor of Mandarin Oriental Taipei. More than 20 of the country’s most prominent antiquaries gathered in one place as they put their treasured collections on display.

“The faint trace of the gathering of elitists nonetheless, rare curios entrusted to the hands of journeymen.” — Wei Xiang of Song dynasty

The chair of this exposition, and founder of Chang’s Oriental Art, Mr. Chang Fu-chuan, noted that Taiwanese collectors’ deep love of antiques deserves more attention and encouragement, and this inspired him to host the exhibition to get the buzz going, encourage discussions, raise awareness, and revive trade activities in the antiques market.

Antique art market consists of various interests. “Antique Chinese calligraphy and painting,” “Buddhist art in Asia,” “Utensils used in the royal court,” “Collector-grade teas and Chinese eaglewood,” “Silverware maestros” and other museum-grade collectibles, creating quite a buzz in the antiques collectors’ community.

Ikken Jingtong Silver Kettles Exposition

Works by Zouroku, Nagoshi Yagorou, Nakagawa Zyoueki, Itousai Genzaburou and other maestros were on display for all to enjoy at a close-up.

Silver ions are released when silver teakettles are heated to rid the impurities, odd odors and bacteria to purify and soften the water, elevating the quality of the liquid, lending it a faintly sweet aftertaste.

According to findings by Li Shizhen, which are recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica, silver is known for its soothing qualities for the five internal organs of the body, and able to calm the heart and the mind, stop palpitations of fear, and ward off evil energies. It can ease the aging effects on the body and support longevity. The Classic of Tea by Lu Yu also notes that “It’s elegance encapsulated, cleanliness elevated. Sustained use promotes longevity and health.”

Spiritual enlightenment in the light fragrance of premium tea. A kettle of warm tea is brewed in a nature-inspired state-of-mind. The whole space is perfumed with the aroma, the steam tendrils curl into the air. The scenescape of the universe is encapsulated instantly in the small room. The unrivaled craftsmanship of the artifacts compels the viewer to marvel at the greatness of universe.

“The tea ceremony is commensurate with modern art – a form of installation art.”

“The tea culture” transcends the mere concept of “tea”: it refers to the spacescape aesthetic defined by the tea, the set, how it’s used, and the mindful solemnity observed during the ceremony. It’s all part of the tea culture.

Tea Brewing, Kungfu Tea, Ikken Jingtong
The brand essence of Ikken is defined by its name: “Where Ancient Art Meets Life Aesthetics.” All the utensils and appliances integral in our daily life can be an art form to enrich us. They do not necessarily have to be an ornament, or a display piece. We want them to connect with our daily comings and goings. The poetry of Tang dynasty and lyrical poetry of Song dynasty can be applied every day to beautify our experience.

Ikken: Where Ancient Art Meets Life Aesthetics in Jingtong
Discover an amazing portal to more ancient artifacts and pieces housed at Ikken. Book a tour today!

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