Collection: Kintsugi Cups

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.

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.

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.