How I Overcame My Fear of Breakages Through Kintsugi
There is a sad irony to the fact that sometimes our most beloved pieces are treasured to excess, to the point where they scarcely see the light of day. The heirloom ceramics passed down through generations. The one-of-a-kind vase you purchased while travelling. Pieces you cherish, but never use for fear of breaking.
What if there was a way to overcome the fear of chips, cracks, and splinters? What if these bowls, vases, plates, and flower pots could be enjoyed and used functionally and not relegated as ornaments? This was something that I had to teach myself, so I’m here to tell you it can be done.
Image by Kylee Yee
The Magic of Kintsugi
(Scroll for step-by-step photos).
Kintsugi is much more than a repair method: it is an art in itself. The use of golden lacquer to fix damaged ceramics dates back to what is believed, the 15th Century in Japan, where it was used to embellish and repair broken tea sets. It was most likely also born through the Japanese feeling of regret when something is wasted - ‘mottainai’, i.e. “what a waste”. Contemporary artists such as Joseph Weaver and my friends at Waka Artisans are heralding the renaissance of this six-hundred-year tradition and popularising it once again.
Put simply, Kintsugi involves tracing cracks or ceramic splits with liquid golden resin. The end result is that the ceramic is once again usable, sealed, and now encrusted with elegant golden lines and streaks that glimmer and catch the light. It takes something broken and makes it beautiful. For me, it adds character and a story that enhances the object. Kintsugi, which translates to ‘golden joinery’ is more a philosophy than just an art form. Nodding to the tradition of wabi-sabi, it exemplifies the discovery of beauty in imperfect things.
Related: The Beginner’s Guide to Wabi-Sabi
Tips for Trying Kintsugi
A few years ago, I experimented with my own version of Kintsugi, inspired by a kit that I purchased from a day out to The Design Museum in London. A friend came over, and we spent a day exploring our own craftsmanship on broken plates. It’s an incredible thing to breathe life into broken objects and see them transform into something new.
As I worked, I took a moment to pause. I let the stillness of the moment remind me that objects are just objects. They are intended to be used, enjoyed, toyed with, and resurrected in new forms.
If you’re looking to explore the art of Kintsugi, consider the following tips before trying:
Save several broken objects to fix all at once.
Don’t mix up too much resin. It doesn’t keep, so you want to make up as much as you’ll need.
Have fun, play, and experiment.
Try not to be too precious about the process. Easier said than done, I know! :p
Teach Yourself
If you are interested in learning more about the art of Kintsugi, consider reading the following material:
Lost Japan - A 30-year study into Japanese heritage and culture.
Kintsugi: Embrace your imperfections and find happiness - the Japanese way
Don’t Fear the Breakages
Once you’ve mastered your Kintsugi kit, you’ll never have to fear breakages again. Now every scratch or tarnish is an excuse to create a new expression of art. Let Kintsugi transform your cabinets by injecting new life into your old and new ceramics alike.
Further Resources
Kintsugi Oxford - Has workshops in oxford and Japan plus tools for sale. There is also a great blog post here which goes into more depth about the history of Kintsugi.
Mizuyo Yamashita - She sells Kintsugi kits here and has workshops in London