August 25, 2025 (1y ago)
Kintsugi, the ancient Japanese craft of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum, is much more than just a method of fixing objects. It is a philosophy that embraces imperfection and highlights the beauty in flaws and damage. In this quick guide, we’ll explore what Kintsugi is, its history, significance, and how this traditional craft continues to inspire the world today.
Kintsugi (金継ぎ), which translates to “golden joinery,” is a Japanese technique that mends broken ceramics using lacquer infused with precious metals like gold or silver. Instead of hiding the cracks, Kintsugi accentuates them, turning broken pieces into uniquely beautiful works of art. This art form celebrates the history of an object and teaches the philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection.
The origins of Kintsugi date back to the 15th century during Japan’s Muromachi period. Legend says it began when Ashikaga Yoshimasa, a shogun, sent a damaged Chinese tea bowl back to China for repairs. When it returned with unsightly metal staples, Japanese craftsmen developed Kintsugi, a more aesthetically pleasing repair method. Since then, Kintsugi has become closely associated with the Japanese tea ceremony and the wabi-sabi aesthetic, which values transience and imperfection.
Kintsugi embodies the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, appreciating beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. It teaches us to accept our flaws and cracks, seeing our own histories and scars as part of our beauty rather than something to hide or discard.
This practice also symbolizes resilience and transformation, showing that breakage and repair are part of an object’s—or a person’s—story, making it stronger and more valuable.
The Kintsugi process involves several steps:
While historically this is a specialized skill passed down through generations of artisans, today many people appreciate Kintsugi as a mindful craft practice and a metaphor for healing.
In a world dominated by disposable consumer culture, Kintsugi offers a refreshing antidote. It encourages us to cherish and preserve what we have, to find beauty in age and damage, and to embrace imperfection in our lives.
Artists, designers, and mental health advocates are increasingly inspired by Kintsugi’s message of resilience and regeneration, making it a popular motif in art, fashion, and self-help today.
For those interested in trying Kintsugi:
Kintsugi is more than just a craft—it is a celebration of imperfection, resilience, and transformation. Whether you admire it as an art form, a cultural tradition, or a philosophy for life, Kintsugi offers a timeless reminder that broken things can become more beautiful through care and creativity.