Kintsugi Craftsmanship: give new life to broken things

Let’s talk about Kintsugi (金継ぎ)—the fascinating Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with gold. This technique doesn’t just repair but transforms cracks into beautiful highlights!

(image via Wikipedia)

Breakdown of the word

“Kintsugi” combines 金 (kin), which means “gold,” and 継ぎ (tsugi), meaning “to mend” or “to join.” So, Kintsugi literally means “golden joinery.” Instead of hiding flaws, this art celebrates them with shiny gold, silver, or platinum.

A Glimpse into History

Kintsugi began in Japan during the 15th century. Legend has it that Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa wasn’t happy with the ugly metal staples used to fix his broken tea bowl. So, crafty Japanese artisans came up with this elegant technique, embodying the wabi-sabi philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection and the passage of time.　("wabi" refers to the feeling that modest, simple things have their own charm. "sabi" refers to the beauty that emerges over time.)

By the Edo period, Kintsugi was all the rage among tea enthusiasts and the upper class. They saw repaired items as special, valuing the history and character that the repairs added. In some cases, people even deliberately broke their pottery just to have it repaired with this stunning method!

(image via Wikipedia)

Why It’s Popular Today

Nowadays, Kintsugi is loved around the world for its message of resilience and self-acceptance. From DIY kits to workshops, people are getting into Kintsugi, seeing it as a cool way to appreciate and repair their own things. Its influence even extends to art, design, and fashion, reminding us that imperfections make things uniquely beautiful.

Artists and designers are now incorporating Kintsugi-inspired elements into their work, creating everything from jewelry to home decor that celebrates the beauty of flaws. Kintsugi’s popularity has also spread to self-help and mindfulness practices, where it symbolizes healing and embracing one’s personal “cracks” and imperfections.

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫