金継ぎ：修復の芸術に見る美の世界

If your treasured utensil is broken, what would you do? It must be distressing to feel that you have to throw it away. However, in Japan, there is a traditional technique for mending damaged pottery called Kintsugi. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery. For a long time, it has been a revered traditional art form in Japan, showcasing the country's unique sensitivity towards valuing objects. The practice of Kintsugi has not only gained popularity in Japan but also across the globe. In this context, it's worth exploring the reasons behind its widespread appeal and the aspects that make Kintsugi essential to Japanese culture and art.

(Kintsugi: Finding Beauty in the Art of Repair - dans le gris)

What is Kintsugi?

Kintsugi (金継ぎ), also referred to as Kintsukuroi (金繕い), is a Japanese art technique that involves mending damaged pottery by using a lacquer made with gold, silver, or platinum. The term "Kintsugi" is derived from the Japanese words for "golden joinery." The method shares similarities with the Maki-e (蒔絵) technique. Through this technique, imperfections are celebrated, and the value of embracing the history of an object that has been flawed or damaged is emphasized. This highlights the beauty of imperfection, a core aspect of the Kintsugi art form.
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(Kintsugi: Finding Beauty in the Art of Repair - dans le gris)
Simply put, the technique of Kintsugi is a method of repairing items such as cracked or chipped ceramics and lacquerware by using lacquer to bond and restore them. Lacquer is obtained from the sap of the lacquer tree, which belongs to the sumac family. When dried, it is harmless to the human body and possesses a very strong hardening effect, making it akin to a natural and powerful adhesive.

Instead of concealing the cracks or attempting to restore the object to its original condition, Kintsugi draws attention to the fractures by accentuating them with metallic seams, resulting in a distinctive and exquisite work of art. Commonly viewed as a metaphor for the beauty of impermanence and the acceptance of change and aging, Kintsugi regards scars as a part of the scenery and embellishes the seams with metal powder like gold or silver. The concept of mending and reusing damaged objects has been present in Japanese culture since ancient times and continues to be so today.
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History of Kintsugi

Traces of repairing damaged pottery with lacquer can be seen in Jomon period pottery. Since the Muromachi period, with the spread of crafts techniques that use lacquer such as maki-e and the tea ceremony spirit of accepting repaired objects as they are, Kintsugi has been recognized for its artistic value. However, the origins of Kintsugi are uncertain, but it’s likely that the practice became commonplace in Japan during the late 16th or early 17th centuries, noted Louise Cort, curator of ceramics at the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington, D.C. Its beginnings are often associated with the famed tale of a 15th-century Japanese shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, whose antique Chinese celadon-glazed bowl had broken. Legend has it that after discovering that his prized bowl was damaged, he sent it back to China in hopes of obtaining a replacement. However, he was informed that the bowl was so unique that no other like it existed. When the bowl was eventually returned, it had been fixed with metal staples—a technique commonly employed by Chinese craftsmen.
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Kintsugi: Finding Beauty in the Art of Repair - dans le gris

It is believed that Kintsugi was initiated by Ashikaga Yoshimasa in the late 15th century. Image via Wikipedia.
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Through this story, Cort explained that we can infer that gold lacquer repairs weren’t yet being performed in the 15th century. It’s more likely that the tradition began with the rise of tea bowls—vessels used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, which flourished in the 16th century. Kintsugi’s international reach is a modern phenomenon; it was historically only practiced in Japan, though the technique was used on imported ceramics from other parts of Asia, particularly China and Korea.

This novel approach to restoration quickly gained popularity among collectors, to the extent that some were even accused of intentionally breaking valuable pottery to have it repaired using the gold seams of Kintsugi. In modern times, there are Kintsugi contractors and classrooms where people can enjoy repairing and continuing to use their favorite dishes or appreciate the process and traces of Kintsugi as art.
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The Philosophy Behind Kintsugi

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Kintsugi is a philosophy that shares similarities with Wabi Sabi. Image via ZEN.

"The struggles will become your story, And that's the beauty of Kintsugi. Your cracks can become the most beautiful part of you." — Candice Kumai
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Kintsugi, which embodies the Japanese spirit of "Mottainai (勿体無い)"—a sense of regret over waste and the importance of cherishing things—as well as the belief that even scars can be beautiful, known as "Wabi Sabi," is a traditional culture that reflects the unique sensibilities of the Japanese people.

We can say that Kintsugi is a philosophy that shares similarities with Wabi Sabi, a Japanese philosophy that embraces imperfections or flaws. In Japanese aesthetics, the marks of wear and tear on an object are valued, which can explain why people may choose to keep an object even after it has been broken. Kintsugi can be seen as a way to highlight the cracks and repairs as part of the object's life journey, rather than letting the damage mark the end of its usefulness. This philosophy can also be viewed as a variation of the proverb "Waste not, want not." However, Kintsugi reinforces the notion that broken items can be restored to their original beauty or retain their significance despite being damaged.

• Read more about What is Mottainai? The Meaning Behind the Japanese Philosophy of Sustainability
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The Relationship Between Kintsugi and Wabi Sabi

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Wabi Sabi and Kintsugi are related concepts in Japanese aesthetics. Wabi Sabi is a broader concept that refers to a worldview centered on the acceptance of imperfection and transience, while Kintsugi is a specific technique that embodies Wabi Sabi principles. Wabi Sabi celebrates the beauty of imperfection, simplicity, and the natural world. It is an aesthetic that values asymmetry, roughness, and authenticity, often observed in traditional Japanese crafts and architecture.

Kintsugi is an example of Wabi Sabi in practice. By repairing a broken object with gold or silver lacquer, the cracks become part of the object's history and beauty. Kintsugi honors the object's imperfections rather than trying to hide or disguise them, celebrating the idea of "flawed beauty." In summary, Kintsugi is a manifestation of Wabi Sabi principles, which promote the acceptance of impermanence and imperfection as inherent parts of life and beauty.
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How to Practice Kintsugi Technique: A Step-by-Step Guide

After reading the explanations so far, some of you may be interested in trying Kintsugi. While Kintsugi requires time and effort, it does not demand special skills. For those interested in Kintsugi, we will explain a beginner-friendly method that can be easily done, even for those new to the art.
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The Process of Kintsugi. Image via iStock/BigCircle.
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Before we start, it is important to know that there are many different types of materials that can be created using urushi lacquer as its main ingredient, with mugi-urushi, sabi-urushi, and kokuso being the three main materials that we mix ourselves for the purpose of Kintsugi repair. Typically, Kintsugi involves five steps:
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1. Bonding the Broken Pieces

Before starting the repair, it is important to clean and thoroughly dry the broken pieces and the object. Mix wheat flour and raw lacquer together with water to create an adhesive called "mugi-urushi". Apply the mugi-urushi adhesive to the broken surfaces and firmly bond them together. Leave the mended piece to cure for one week.
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2. Sanding and Polishing

After the mugi-urushi has cured, use a knife or sandpaper to remove any excess and create a flat, smooth surface. This step is important to prepare the surface for the application of gold dust.
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3. Filling in The Gaps

If you discover any missing parts after adhering the broken pieces, use "sabi-urushi"(錆漆)—a lacquer made by mixing powdered burnt clay. Use a spatula to apply and fill in the gaps. Let it sit on a table for a day to harden, then use waterproof sandpaper to smooth out the surface. The lacquer takes a long time to dry and may shrink as it dries.
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4. Applying Black Urushi Lacquer

Apply black urushi lacquer with a brush to the joint and the parts filled with rust urushi. Let it cure for one day. Then, polish the surface of the coating with waterproof sandpaper. Repeat this process three times to thicken the coating.
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5. Applying Gold Dust

Finally, for a decorative effect, gold or other metal dust is sprinkled over the repair area in a process called "kin-tsugi" or "gold mending." Silver dust can also be used, known as "gin-tsugi." However, if there are missing parts, the yobitsugi(呼び継ぎ) technique can be employed by filling the gaps with fragments from another object.

The resulting golden lines that decorate the repaired object are known as Kintsugi or "golden joinery," and they add a unique and beautiful quality to the object, highlighting the repair as a part of the object's history.
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Kintsugi Kits for Embracing Imperfections

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If these steps still feel difficult for you, don't worry. Recently, beginner-friendly Kintsugi kits have become available for purchase online and on other platforms, making it easy for anyone to start practicing Kintsugi. Below, you'll find our carefully selected Kintsugi Repair Kit on Amazon.
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Bio Kintsugi Repair Kit Gold

Discover the art of repair with this complete Kintsugi kit. Whether you're mending your favorite broken ceramics or crafting a new piece from scratch, this kit provides everything you need for your Kintsugi journey. With an array of mica powder shades, three mixing plates, a 50ml resin syringe, a paintbrush, and a comprehensive instruction booklet, the possibilities are endless. Kintsugi is more than just a fun and rewarding hobby; it's a practice that promotes mindfulness and fosters acceptance of flaws.

• Learn more about Bio Kintsugi Repair Kit Gold
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REALINN Kintsugi Repair Kit

Another best-selling Kintsugi kit on Amazon. The package includes detailed instructions and provides 2 ice-crackle porcelain cups for starters. After learning this skill, you can apply it to your broken precious ceramics and enjoy the journey of your Kintsugi. The Kintsugi repair kit is a great gift for your friends and family who love crafts. Repair items full of memories, making broken objects complete with new beauty.

• Learn more about REALINN Kintsugi Repair Kit
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Deuvuo Kintsugi Repair Kit Gold

Deuvuo Kintsugi Repair Kit allows you to mend your broken pottery, ceramics, and other items with a touch of elegance. By filling the cracks with high-quality gold or silver adhesive, you can transform the breakage into a stunning work of art. The Kintsugi repair kit is incredibly versatile and can be used to repair a wide variety of items, including ceramics, pottery, and glass. Whether you have a broken vase, plate, or figurine, the Kintsugi repair kit can help you fix it.

• Learn more about Deuvuo Kintsugi Repair Kit Gold
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Kintsugi-Inspired Contemporary Art and Design

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From broken to beautiful, Kintsugi is a concept that involves accentuating imperfections and highlighting mends and seams as an addition to celebrate, rather than focusing on their absence or missing pieces. This ancient technique has recently been explored by modern artists and designers who use it as a means of delving into the concepts of loss, synthesis, and improvement through destruction, repair, and rebirth. Several contemporary artists and designers have incorporated Kintsugi techniques, aesthetics, and philosophies into their work, including:
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Xchange Apartments by TANK

Kintsugi is not only an art form for ceramics but also influences architecture. The apartment is located nearby Kiyomizu-Temple in Kyoto. According to the architect, they mentioned, "In construction, traditional plastered mortar cracks when it sets. This cracking is usually deemed as inferior work, and current improved mortar seldom cracks. We noticed that this cracking resembles broken ceramics. Using traditional mortar, we emulated the art of 'Kintsugi' in the living room by joining the cracks with gold-colored epoxy resin, thus transforming what was considered imperfect into a subject of beauty." As a result, the cracks in the floor have gracefully been reborn, imbuing the space with a second life of artistic beauty.
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Golden resin highlights cracks in the floor of TANK's Xchange Apartment, emulating the art of Kintsugi.
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Kengo Kuma Designs Showcase for The Dalmore Whisky

Renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, collaborating with the V&A Dundee museum and The Dalmore whisky distillery to create an exclusive sculpture encasing a bottle of the brand's single malt whisky, shared his inspiration, saying, "I decided early on in the collaboration to use the idea of kintsugi." He notes, "Kintsugi is an artisan method of reassembling materials of a broken object, like ceramic. It is a process that shows sustainability but also the actual process of making. Kintsugi enriches the object and gives more value than before. This reflects the shared philosophies of architecture and whisky, and the union of different ideas from Japan and Scotland."
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Kengo Kuma encases whisky bottle in 48-piece sculpture informed by Kintsugi
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Seletti's Kintsugi Collection

Seletti is an Italian brand loved by many and recognized worldwide for its original, fun, and bold designs, which can even be provocative. Inspired by Kintsugi, this collection features items made from porcelain enriched with gold fragments. Any imperfections are embraced as part of the product, reflecting its unique handcrafted character.
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Seletti Kintsugi Dinner Plate in Porcelain via Amazon.
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Karen LaMonte's Kintsugi Kimono Sculpture

Karen LaMonte, an American contemporary artist, is known for her large-scale sculptures of women's clothing worn by invisible human figures. After a kiln explosion caused damage to some of these works, LaMonte employed Kintsugi methods to mend the ceramic sculptures with gold, exemplifying the art form's ability to transform imperfections into beauty.
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Kintsugi Komono Sculpture; Repairing broken objects with golden joinery by Karen LaMonte.
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Lumio's Kintsugi-Inspired Speaker

It seems the piece resembles Japanese pottery repaired with the Kintsugi technique. However, in reality, it is a multifunctional Teno—a Bluetooth speaker and light designed by Lumio. Teno is a high-end audio speaker and lamp disguised as a unique Kintsugi sculpture. Made from cast resin and natural sand, this sculptural piece of technology is crafted to evoke calm and tranquility. Inspired by the ethos of Kintsugi, Lumio founder Max Gunawan wanted to create an object that would be cherished and encourage consumers to stop buying throw-away electronics.
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Teno is a high-end audio speaker and lamp disguised as a unique Kintsugi sculpture.

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In summary, Kintsugi is not just a technique for repairing pottery and lacquerware; it is also an art form that expresses the unique beauty of Japan. People around the world are increasingly drawn to Kintsugi because they can relate to the Japanese cultural value of cherishing objects. Kintsugi serves as a reminder not only to stay calm when a beloved piece of pottery breaks but also of the beauty that can arise from human vulnerability. We hope this article helps you understand the art of Kintsugi and inspires you with this beautiful ancient traditional technique.
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About Us

Dans Le Gris is a brand that began with everyday jewelry, with each handmade piece designed and crafted in Taiwan. We deeply value every detail, dedicating ourselves to creating timeless pieces through collaboration with experienced craftsmen.

In our journal, we provide irregular updates featuring articles about art, culture, and design. Our curated content encompasses diverse aspects of life, with the aspiration to offer meaningful insights and inspiration.