In Japan, there is a Japanese technique that transforms both broken objects and people into something valuable and beautiful. In this article, we will talk about Kintsugi [金継ぎ], the Japanese art of healing scars with gold.
In fact Kintsugi is an art that consists of restoring broken vessels and ceramics with melted gold. To be more accurate, a mixture of lacquer and gold powder. Sometimes this restoration leaves the object as valuable as the original.
Symbolically this shows people who are broken can easily learn from these situations, becoming stronger and more valuable. This also shows that we should not be ashamed of our exposed wounds.
The word [金継ぎ] is derived from the ideogram for gold [金] and to bind [継ぎ], which literally represents the connection or repair using gold. It is clear that the alloy is not entirely made of gold, but rather mixed with a lacquer or resin.
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The origin of Kintsugi
Lacquered objects [connected, joined] are very traditional in Japan, there are various techniques involving lacquer that probably gave rise to the technique. One of these techniques is maki-e, which consists of using lacquer with gold or silver powder to make decorations with a brush.
The origins of kintsugi are uncertain, but it is likely that the practice became common in Japan during the 16th and 17th centuries. It is probable that the tradition started around the time of the rise of tea bowls, which were very valuable objects for their owners.
Some believe that Kintsugi emerged when Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa broke his favorite tea bowl and sent for reparation in China in the 15th century, he sent her all spotted with clips.
Dissatisfied with the result he sought Japanese artisans who concerted using a gold -sprinkled resin. The artisans influenced by Buddhist ideals of detachment and acceptance highlighted scars by using this technique.
The first reference to kintsugi speaks of a warrior in the 17th century who was breaking cheap tea cups and using the repair technique to later sell and generate a good amount of money.
The philosophy of Kintsugi
Kintsugi has become a philosophy of life similar to Wabi-Sabi that consists of accepting the imperfect and defective. Soon this technique became popular and spread to other objects and countries like China and Korea.
The Japanese constantly seek to stay perfect, but in reality they all make flaws, some try to hide them. Kintsugi's philosophy is not to hide these flaws but consider them positively and valuable.
Kintsugi is believed to be related to Japanese philosophy Mushin [無心] which means "no importance" and encompasses the concepts of non-compliance, accept changes and fate.
Another philosophy besides wabi-sabi and mushin present in kintsugi is the feeling mottainai that describes the regret of wasting something. There are many things we can learn from this art and apply in our lives.
Another interesting factor is in the Kintsugi process where it takes a long time (weeks and even months) until the resin dries. This represents that the healing process can be time consuming and requires some patience.
While other forms of repair has just deteriorated over time, Kintsugi is very resistant, as sturdy as the original object. Thus showing that wounds make us increasingly strong, so we should not hide them.
Kintsugi repair types
There are three methods or types of repair that use the gold lacquer technique:
- Hibi [ひび] - Consists of repairing cracks and attaching broken pieces with minimal overlap or filling in missing pieces.
- Kake no kintsugi rei [欠けの金継ぎ例 ] - When resin and gold are used to fill in missing pieces.
- Yobitsugi [呼び継ぎ] - When using scraps or pieces from other objects to repair or create something new.
The resin used in Kintsugi is called Urushi and is made of a tree of a tree. This material is used for about 9000 years such as a glue, pasta and painting. Some end up thinking that only gold is used, but sometimes mix silver and use the other only on the surface.
The influence of Kintsugi in the world
In the old days Kintsugi was seen only as a beautiful way to fix things, because using gold is very valuable. Nowadays the practice of gold restoration is popular among the main contemporary artists.
There are even self-help and well-being courses and books that use these ceramics as a metaphor to embrace failures and imperfections. These works of art often attract people from around the world and are even used to do marketing.
What do you think about this traditional Japanese vessel repair? Did you know this term? Do you find it interesting your application in life? What do you think about it? We look forward to your comments and shares.
Kintsugi Course - Restore your ceramics with gold
Do it yourself! Learn to see beauty in imperfections by restoring pottery with the ancestral Japanese kintsugi technique in this introductory course by Clara Graziolino.
Kintsugi potter and specialist Clara Graziolino describes this Japanese method of restoration as an active meditation, which has helped her find inspiration in difficult times.
In this course you will get to know the history and philosophy of kintsugi with the company of Clara at every stage of the journey. You will learn how to create two restoration projects using the techniques of filling fillings and rebuilding parts.
To find out more about Clara Graziolino's Kintsugi course just click the button below:
