Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art of mending broken ceramics. The broader philosophy behind it resides in the fact that embracing flaws can lead to beauty.

Kintsugi comes from a mix of two words—”kin,” which means gold or golden, and “tsugi,” which means joinery. The art of Kintsugi is known as Kintsukuroi, which essentially translates to “mending with gold,” wherein gold powder is applied to the lacquer to highlight the flaws of the pottery.

Original Kintsugi art is extremely expensive. How can it not be, when all of us become our best selves after we break? So it is with this art. The simple idea that broken can be beautiful is so carefully presented by this art form that one cannot help but wonder how simple things in life hold the most value.

Tracing the History

The Japanese practice of Kintsukuroi dates back to the 15th century. According to legend, during the Muromachi period, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun (leader) of the Muromachi period broke his favourite tea bowl. It is said that it was so unique that it couldn’t be replaced.

Being one of his favourite possessions, Ashikaga sent the bowl to China to get it repaired. The bowl returned mended with metal staples, a practice that was common in China and some parts of Europe. But to his dismay, the shogun didn’t like it. Instead, he turned to his own craftsmen to find a way to restore the damage without disguising it. And thus, the art of Kintsugi was born.

The Kintsugi Creative Process

The traditional method of Kintsugi uses Japanese urushi lacquer, which comes from the sap of the urushi tree (Toxicodendron Vernicifluum). The plant is a relative of poison ivy and has long been used in the country, dating back to almost a millennium (2400 BC). Owing to Japan’s humid weather, this lacquer is a perfect fit, as it is water-resistant, durable, and glossy. The entire process of Kintsugi takes around three months to complete.

What seems simple is a deceptively complex process. The lacquer is a very strong irritant due to the chemical present in the sap known as urushiol. Even though artisans may grow immune to the irritant, it is best to use gloves and masks as a precaution.

The reason why the simple process of Kintsugi—mixing the lacquer with a binding medium to recreate the ceramic from the broken pieces and finishing it with a metal highlight—becomes challenging is because of the countless problems that can arise at each step. Interestingly, the process of making the lacquer is a bit similar to the method of Warli paintings. In Warli art, the rice flour mixed with water and glue is used as the paint as opposed to Kintsugi where it is used as a binding medium.

The process of Kintsugi begins with mixing urushi either with rice glue (creating nori urushi) or flour glue (creating mugi urushi). A paste combining urushi and clay (called sabi urushi) is used to fill in the spaces if the pieces of a ceramic are missing. A similar process is repeated if there is a damaged handle, rim, or foot.

The glue made previously is then used to put all the broken pieces in place and is left to dry for 1 to 3 months. Methods like charcoal abrasion are used to remove any excess urushi.

Once the ceramic is back in shape, the fractured lines are then coated, mostly with red, and occasionally, metal powder (gold or silver) is sprinkled on top to emphasise the joints.

The Philosophy of Kintsugi

Kintsugi amplifies the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi. This concept elaborates on the principles of simplicity and impermanence. It revolves around the idea of accepting ourselves with all our flaws. If understood individually, wabi and sabi are two independent thoughts: Wabi underlines the rustic charm of all things simple. This can refer to anything ranging from things that are naturally present to things that accidentally happen. Sabi, on the other hand, explains that beauty comes from fleeting moments. Age, decay, and scars exemplify our innate beauty, even though, at first, they may seem like blemishes. Overall, the philosophy states one simple point: It’s not only okay to be imperfect; it’s beautiful!

Billie Bond, a United Kingdom based sculptor, elegantly captures this concept in her Kintsugi-inspired pieces which physically embody this philosophy. A prominent work of hers, called ‘Breathe’, is one such piece that materializes trauma and healing. She uses the golden highlights to emphasise the enlightenment one gains from such experiences. It is indeed a stunning artwork that echoes the reality of humankind.

Closing Insights
The gold that stands out in these kintsugi ceramics tells stories of centuries, and so should we.

We should talk more often about the grandeur of our brokenness and the milestones of our lives. We should embrace our past because it defines our present and who we are.

Kintsugi is not just an art; it’s a way of living that we all must practice.

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By Vidhi Ojha