Collection: Kintsugi Bowls and Plates
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Kintsugi Square Plate "Jet Black Lighting" 01
Regular price $736.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per -
Kintsugi Square Plate "Vermilion Crackle" 01
Regular price $957.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per -
Kintsugi Plate "Tenmoku" Black 01
Regular price $442.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per -
Kintsugi Plate "Oribe" Deep Green 01
Regular price $442.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per -
Kintsugi Bowl "Green Nebula" with a Paulownia Wood Box
Regular price $1,177.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per -
Kintsugi Bowl "Dark Nebula" with a Paulownia Wood Box
Regular price $971.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per -
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Kintsugi Bowl "Owl Nebula"
Regular price $648.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
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Kintsugi Bowl "Vermilion Crackle"
Regular price $648.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
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Kintsugi Bowl "Blue Moon"
Regular price $1,942.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
Kintsugi Bowl "Supernova" with a Paulownia Wood Box
Regular price $648.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
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Kintsugi Bowl "Iris Rose"
Regular price $780.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
Kintsugi Bowl "Blue Rose Nebula" with a Paulownia Wood Box
Regular price $1,413.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
Kintsugi Bowl “Cherry Bark and Blue Moon” 01 with a Paulownia Wood Box
Regular price $2,722.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
Kintsugi Bowl “Cherry Bark and Blue Moon” 02 with a Paulownia Wood Box
Regular price $2,428.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
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Kintsugi Bowl Purple Nebula 01
Regular price $957.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
Kintsugi Bowl "Purple Nebula" 02 with a Paulownia Wood Box
Regular price $751.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
Kintsugi Bowl "Rainbow Luster" with a Paulownia Wood Box
Regular price $957.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out -
Kintsugi Bowl "Four Color Yohenyu" with a Paulownia Wood Box
Regular price $957.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / perSold out
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Kintsugi Pottery Collections
Kintsugi Bowls and Plates
The Kintsugi Bowl and Plate Collection by Millennium Gallery Japan represents an unparalleled harmony of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, aesthetics, and the profound philosophy of kintsugi. Each bowl and plate tells the story of kintsugi, embodying the transformation of broken ceramics into objects of even greater beauty and significance.
Rooted in the aesthetics of wabi-sabi, kintsugi is not merely a technique of concealing damage with gold, silver, or platinum. Rather, it celebrates imperfection, transforming flaws into defining features of beauty. This time-honored restoration method not only restores the functionality of a vessel but also enhances its charm, imbuing it with individuality and profound meaning. Kintsugi bowls and plates transcend their role as functional items, becoming symbols of resilience in the face of life’s trials and the discovery of beauty within imperfection.
These exquisite pieces make exceptional gifts for loved ones or memorable keepsakes for special occasions. Each is a one-of-a-kind work of art, reflecting the personality and sentiments of its owner. Immerse yourself in a truly unique experience with Millennium Gallery Japan’s Kintsugi Bowl and Plate Collection, and discover the beauty and philosophy of renewal that lies at the heart of Japanese artistry.
Kintsugi: The Art of Golden Repair
What is Kintsugi?
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with lacquer and decorating the cracks with gold or silver powder, giving the piece new life and value. This technique doesn't try to hide the damage but rather highlights it, emphasizing the history and story of the object. Kintsugi embodies the Japanese aesthetics of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfection, and symbolizes the resilience cultivated by the Japanese people throughout their history of facing natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons. Believed to have originated between the 1300s and 1500s, Kintsugi has been passed down through generations of Japanese artisans for nearly a millennium. Today, it is experiencing a resurgence of interest from artistic, sustainability, and mental health perspectives, with its meaning and philosophy resonating deeply with people worldwide.
Wabi-Sabi and Kintsugi
Kintsugi is deeply intertwined with the Japanese philosophy of "wabi-sabi." "Wabi" refers to the acceptance and appreciation of imperfection and flaws, while "sabi" signifies the beauty found in the passage of time and the patina of age. Kintsugi is not merely a technique for repairing ceramics with gold; it embodies the spirit of wabi-sabi, viewing the wear, cracks, and chips of an object not as defects but as signs of its history and a new kind of beauty. This philosophy, offering a profound message of resilience and self-acceptance, is the reason why Kintsugi holds a unique value in Japan, a country with over 200 traditional crafts with long histories.
Origins and History of Kintsugi
The origins of Kintsugi can be traced back to the 15th century, when the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa's favorite tea bowl was broken. Dissatisfied with the simple metal staples used to repair it, he inspired the creation of Kintsugi, transforming the damaged area into a visible decoration with lacquer and gold. This technique subsequently evolved in connection with the tea ceremony culture, giving rise to various Kintsugi methods and leading to the modern art of Kintsugi that symbolizes the spirit of "wabi-sabi."
Kintsugi and Disaster Recovery
Japan, with its rich natural environment, has experienced numerous natural disasters, including earthquakes and typhoons. Kintsugi, the traditional technique of repairing broken ceramics with lacquer and gold, breathing new life into them, has gained attention as a means of emotional healing and recovery support after disasters. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, workshops combining Kintsugi and post-traumatic growth (PTG) were used to support survivors. Similarly, after the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, Kunio Nakamura, himself a victim of the disaster, offered free Kintsugi services to other survivors, combining support for the region's traditional industries with mental health care.
The Influence of Kintsugi in the Modern World
In the modern world, Kintsugi has transcended its role as a mere repair technique and established itself as an art form. Its philosophy and aesthetics have influenced artists worldwide, gaining attention as a new form of expression. Furthermore, Kintsugi, with its concept of creating new value through breakage and repair, connects with contemporary issues like sustainability, ensuring its continued relevance in the modern age. Its mention in the closing ceremony of the 2021 Paralympics further amplified its message, contributing to its global recognition as a culture that embraces and celebrates imperfection.
The Meaning of Kintsugi
Recognizing the Beauty of Imperfection
In today's world, where perfection is often emphasized, Kintsugi offers a philosophy that accepts imperfection and highlights it as a unique characteristic and beauty of a person or object. Originating as a technique for repairing ceramics, Kintsugi transforms the golden lines created during the repair process into a testament to overcoming life's difficulties and trials, emphasizing the strength and beauty of the object. Finding beauty in imperfection, rather than striving for perfection, is the essence and philosophy of Kintsugi.
Acknowledging Scars as Symbols of Strength and Beauty
The gold decoration in Kintsugi repair doesn't conceal the scars but celebrates them as symbols of the object's history and resilience. This philosophy extends beyond objects to people's hearts, teaching the importance of embracing imperfections and finding strength in them. Kintsugi represents rebirth from a broken state, conveying a deeper message of resilience and self-acceptance: by accepting the past rather than denying it, one can gain new strength and beauty.
The Meaning of Gifting Kintsugi
A Blessing for Those Who Have Overcome Hardships
People from all over the world visit Taku Nakano's Omotesando workshop to purchase Kintsugi pieces as gifts for those who have overcome illness, injury, or hardship, or to symbolize reconciliation and deep bonds. Kintsugi works are ideal gifts of encouragement and blessing for those who have overcome illness or adversity. The unique beauty of each Kintsugi piece, with no two being alike, serves as a symbol of resilience and hope for the recipient.
A Celebration of the Strength and Resilience of Relationships
Kintsugi pieces, broken and then repaired to become even more beautiful, are also chosen as symbolic gifts to celebrate the strength and resilience of human relationships. They are given as gifts to commemorate the reconciliation of lovers, symbolize deep bonds, or mark the restoration of relationships with estranged individuals, making Kintsugi a gift that celebrates connections with loved ones.
Choosing Kintsugi Art
Types of Kintsugi Ware
Kintsugi can be applied to various ceramics, including tea bowls, plates, cups, and vases. Choosing the right piece according to its shape and purpose allows you to find the perfect gift. As Kintsugi is originally a repair technique, genuine Kintsugi ware repaired by true Kintsugi artisans is very rare on the market, making it extremely difficult to find Kintsugi ceramics for gifts or display even in Japan.
Types of Kintsugi Techniques
There are various Kintsugi techniques, including "hibikintsugi" for repairing cracks, "kakekintsugi" for filling chips, and "yobitsugi" for joining different fragments. "Yobitsugi," in particular, requires high skill and increases the value of the piece as an artwork. Understanding which repair technique was used on a Kintsugi piece is also important for appreciating it fully.
The Price of Kintsugi
The price of a Kintsugi piece varies depending on the materials used, the technique employed, and the artist's skill. Works using genuine lacquer and gold are particularly rare and highly valued for their beauty and worth. The type and size of the ceramic and the Kintsugi technique used also influence the price. Generally, larger Kintsugi pieces like bowls and plates are more expensive than smaller ones like cups. Similarly, Kintsugi using advanced techniques like "yobitsugi" tends to be more expensive than simpler techniques like "hibikintsugi" or "kakekintsugi".
Millennium Gallery Japan handles the works of Taku Nakano, who has been entrusted with the restoration of precious ceramics by various governments and conveys the philosophy of hope and resilience to people worldwide. His works, available exclusively at Millennium Gallery Japan, are authentic Kintsugi art pieces created by breaking and then repairing ceramics using genuine Kintsugi techniques. Although limited in quantity, these pieces make heartfelt gifts to celebrate life's milestones or honor those who have overcome adversity.
Kintsugi is a magnificent expression of Japanese tradition and aesthetics. Its message of embracing imperfection and finding beauty within it continues to resonate strongly today. We invite you to experience the beauty of Japan and the richness of this profound philosophy through the art of Kintsugi.