Instead of discarding broken objects, Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese technique that brings them back to life more beautifully than before through restoration. It involves mending broken ceramics with lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or other precious metals. Kintsugi has been passed down alongside Japan's tea ceremony culture and the concept of "wabi-sabi." In recent years, it has gained attention beyond its technical aspects as a repair method. It's now recognized as an art form symbolizing Japanese aesthetics and philosophy, celebrating the beauty of imperfection and the process of rebirth.
History of Kintsugi: The Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic and the Birth of Kintsugi
The origins of Kintsugi can be traced back to the 15th century. When a prized tea bowl belonging to Ashikaga Yoshimasa, a powerful figure at the time, was broken, he sent it to China for repairs. However, he was dissatisfied with the simple metal staples used to mend it. This led to the creation of Kintsugi. Using lacquer and gold, the bowl was not only repaired but the cracks were also decorated with gold, transforming the breakage into a beautiful adornment rather than concealing it.
The Kintsugi technique born at this time became deeply intertwined with Japan's tea ceremony culture and evolved into an art form embodying the "wabi-sabi" aesthetic. "Wabi-sabi" is a Japanese aesthetic concept championed by the tea master Sen no Rikyū. It consists of "wabi," which actively appreciates imperfection, such as setbacks and despair, as beauty, and "sabi," which originates from the word "lonely." This unique Japanese aesthetic resonates strongly with the essence of Kintsugi. The "imperfect beauty" that "wabi" signifies is found in the brokenness and impermanence of a cracked vessel. Kintsugi embraces this, finding beauty within these qualities rather than rejecting them.
Kintsugi is a story of rebirth that begins with a single broken vessel. Instead of hiding the scars of cracks and chips, it emphasizes them with gold ornamentation. It's a technique that doesn't deny the broken past but accepts it, creating new value.
The Meaning and Philosophy of Kintsugi: Scars as Proof of Strength, Imperfection as Beauty
Kintsugi encompasses a profound meaning and philosophy beyond mere repair, reflecting an aesthetic perspective on the way people live. It's the idea of accepting imperfection and impermanence and transforming them into something valuable.
From this perspective, a person's life is also like a vessel. We get hurt and sometimes break through various experiences as we live. But Kintsugi teaches us: scars are proof that you've overcome difficulties, and imperfection is your unique beauty.
In today's society, perfection is often emphasized. However, Kintsugi represents an opposing viewpoint. It teaches us to accept imperfection rather than striving for perfection, and to find new beauty and value within it. This resonates with self-acceptance and emotional healing, a crucial concept that modern people may be forgetting.
The Message of Kintsugi: A Symbol of Rebirth and Hope
Kintsugi's significance extends beyond the physical restoration of objects; it also carries the meaning of rebirth and hope.
In Japan, which has historically experienced many natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, the idea behind Kintsugi—that overcoming life's hardships and trials leads to growth, becoming stronger and more beautiful—has taken root in people's hearts. There are several examples of people who, after the major earthquakes in the 2000s, tried to heal and encourage others by offering free Kintsugi repairs for damaged vessels.
For those who have experienced personal trauma or loss, Kintsugi can become a source of healing for emotional wounds and provide the courage to move forward. It's a message of mending a broken heart and finding new hope.
Gifting Kintsugi: A Gift Conveying Special Feelings
People from all over the world visit Taku Nakano, a Kintsugi master with a workshop in Omotesando, Tokyo, seeking Kintsugi vessels as gifts for those who have overcome illness, injury, or hardship, or as mementos to reconcile between lovers or deepen bonds with loved ones. For those who have faced difficulties, or for those who have been hurt, a Kintsugi vessel becomes a symbol celebrating their strength and resilience.
Due to the nature of Kintsugi as a technique to repair broken vessels, even in Japan, it's very difficult to purchase vessels repaired with genuine lacquer and gold. However, as a ceramic artist and Kintsugi artist, Taku Nakano creates Kintsugi works by breaking vessels he crafts from clay himself and then repairing them with authentic lacquer and gold.
Taku Nakano has received requests from foreign governments to repair valuable ceramics with Kintsugi, as well as requests from individuals to repair cherished vessels and from companies to conduct Kintsugi workshops. Through Kintsugi, he has conveyed the philosophy of rebirth and hope to people worldwide. All of Taku Nakano's Kintsugi works are one-of-a-kind, so while the quantity is limited, they can be purchased at his workshop or exclusively online through Millennium Gallery Japan.
What Kintsugi Teaches Us
Kintsugi teaches us to face life's challenges and embrace failures and setbacks positively. As a testament to overcoming difficulties and as a special gift for loved ones, Kintsugi is a Japanese technique and culture with profound meaning.
When you want to express your feelings to someone dear, we hope that the Kintsugi works by Taku Nakano and Millennium Gallery Japan will become an option and bring healing to those who are hurting.
