https://traditionalkyoto.com/culture/kintsugi/ [TTG-logo2g] Traditional Kyoto Menu * Home * Activities * Architecture * Culture * Eat * Gardens * Shopping * Sleep * Shrines, Temples and Palaces + Shrines + Temples + Palaces * Traditional Areas + Traditional Areas Map * Travel Support * Resources [TTG-logo2g] Traditional Kyoto [kintsugi7-] Kintsugi - Art of Repair "Not only is there no attempt to hide the damage, but the repair is literally illuminated... a kind of physical expression of the spirit of mushin....Mushin is often literally translated as "no mind," but carries connotations of fully existing within the moment, of non-attachment, of equanimity amid changing conditions. ...The vicissitudes of existence over time, to which all humans are susceptible, could not be clearer than in the breaks, the knocks, and the shattering to which ceramic ware too is subject. This poignancy or aesthetic of existence has been known in Japan as mono no aware, a compassionate sensitivity, or perhaps identification with, [things] outside oneself." -Christy Bartlett --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kintsugi (golden joinery) is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum, a method similar to the maki-e technique. As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. Lacquerware is a longstanding tradition in Japan, at some point it may have been combined with maki-e as a replacement for other ceramic repair techniques. One theory is that kintsugi may have originated when Japanese shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa sent a damaged Chinese tea bowl back to China for repairs in the late 15th century.When it was returned, repaired with ugly metal staples, it may have prompted Japanese craftsmen to look for a more aesthetic means of repair. Collectors became so enamored with the new art that some were accused of deliberately smashing valuable pottery so it could be repaired with the gold seams of kintsugi. Kintsugi became closely associated with ceramic vessels used for chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony). As a philosophy, kintsugi can be seen to have similarities to the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, an embracing of the flawed or imperfect. Japanese aesthetics values marks of wear by the use of an object. This can be seen as a rationale for keeping an object around even after it has broken and as a justification of kintsugi itself, highlighting the cracks and repairs as simply an event in the life of an object rather than allowing its service to end at the time of its damage or breakage. Kintsugi can relate to the Japanese philosophy of "no mind" (mushin), which encompasses the concepts of non-attachment, acceptance of change and fate as aspects of human life. Not only is there no attempt to hide the damage, but the repair is literally illuminated... a kind of physical expression of the spirit of mushin....Mushin is often literally translated as "no mind," but carries connotations of fully existing within the moment, of non-attachment, of equanimity amid changing conditions. ...The vicissitudes of existence over time, to which all humans are susceptible, could not be clearer than in the breaks, the knocks, and the shattering to which ceramic ware too is subject. This poignancy or aesthetic of existence has been known in Japan as mono no aware, a compassionate sensitivity, or perhaps identification with, [things] outside oneself. -- Christy Bartlett, Flickwerk: The Aesthetics of Mended Japanese Ceramics --------------------------------------------------------------------- Beauty in the Art of Repair: Kintsugi by David Pike By Kathryn Pombriant Manzella On December 12, 2014 The passion surrounding Japanese tea ceremony is well known to its practitioners, historians, and to art collectors. I was not surprised, then, when I learned that reverence for a tea bowl was at the root of a unique form of Japanese art restoration known as kintsugi. [Kintsugi-bowl-honurushi-number-32] An example of kintsugi repair by David Pike. (Photo courtesy of David Pike) The technique, also spelled kintugi, translates as "golden joinery" and is the fascinating Japanese craft of using lacquer and metal to rejoin and repair a broken ceramic item. It is also referred to as kintsukuroi or "golden repair." The process differs from other artistic restoration techniques in that visibility-or invisibility-of repair is not a concern. In fact, kintsugi restorations are so obvious that they can be considered nothing less than celebrations of use. [sanage-guinomi] Kintsugi repairs are visible on the edges of this sake cup that is over 700 years old! (Photo by Tomoko Matsubayashi) Kintsugi, like the austere wabi-cha form of Japanese tea ceremony, arose in marked response to Chinese aesthetics; ceramics in that country were traditionally repaired with metal staples. Japanese historical sources suggest that a favorite tea bowl of the 8th Ashikaga Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436-1490), had been sent to China for repairs and was returned with metal staples that he found displeasing. It is reported that he ordered a substitute be found and kintsugi was born. Japanese urushi lacquer is made from the sap of the urushi tree, and it has a long history of use in the country, dating to 2400 BC. The plant, Toxicodendron vernicifluum, is related to poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak, and like its relatives is a very strong irritant. It owes its toxicity to the sap's primary chemical component, urushiol. Artisans and craftspeople who work with the medium gradually build up immunity to the chemical although most wisely don gloves and masks for the process. [urushi-harvesting-tools] Urushi harvesting tools and a segment of an urushi tree in Iwate, Japan. It should be noted that lacquer is the perfect adhesive for Japan's humid environment because it dries or hardens by absorbing moisture from the air. Lacquer itself is a highly durable material which is very adhesive even newly applied. The addition of powdered metal to the liquid effectively dyes the lacquer and further increases durability and beauty. David Pike, an American kintsugi expert living in Japan, claims that the theory of the "[kintsugi] process is deceptively simple: mix lacquer with a binding medium-rice or flour-and use it to stick the (ceramic) pieces back together. Then finish the break line with a metal highlight." [Dave-Pike] Kintsugi expert David Pike hard at work during the kintsugi restoration process. (Photos courtesy of David Pike) He indicates that the reality of the practice is much more difficult due to myriad problems that can arise in each step of the process. The online and in-person workshops that David hosts are attended by Japanese and non-Japanese alike and are designed to cover the materials, the process, and difficulties associated with it. Kintsugi's requirements are simple: lacquer, a binding medium, a palette knife, a fine paintbrush, and powdered metal (usually gold.) David prefers to work with Japanese, rather than Chinese lacquer, because the former contains approximately 75% urushiol while the latter has 15%. The cost can can be prohibitive, though. So too with gold, his powdered metal of choice. Pike's interest in kintsugi stems from his study of Japanese antiques and he has since acquired an antiques-dealer license in his adopted country. He began attempting simple kintsugi repairs on his self-made pottery and now repairs the work of others in addition to his own. David claims that he enjoys every step of the process which would seem to be true given that he has performed kintsugi every day for the past five years! [4437-39] Kintsugi restoration work by David Pike on an antique vase (Photo courtesy of David Pike) A point of pride for the artist is that he uses true lacquer exclusively while many kintsugi hobbyists and even books suggest repairs using an industrial polymer covered by a small bead of lacquer. David's adherence to authentic technique and materials has won many fans. After all, a simple repair generally takes a month from start to finish while more complicated restoration works can require two. David's enthusiasm and passion for his work is infectious and I'm grateful for a new-yet old-perspective on Japanese ceramics; that kintsugi has its roots in tea ceramics is delightful to me. More importantly, the process reinforces the idea that perfection isn't necessary for beauty and that "making do" can be tremendously satisfying. * CULTURE * Japanese Esthetics + Yugen * Chado - The Way Of Tea + Formal Tea Ceremony Etiquette * Kado - The Way of Flower Arranging * Kodo - The Way Of Incense * Shodo - The Way of Calligraphy * Kintsugi - Art of Repair * Japanese Etiquette + Greeting + Japanese Names + Shoes and Slippers + Dining Etiquette + Japanese Table Manners + Chopsticks + Sitting + Shrine Etiquette + Temple Etiquette + Photograpy + Gift Giving * Omotenashi - Hospitality * Bamboo * Baths - Sento and Onsen * Bonsai * Bonseki * Community Shrines * Ema * Figures + Figures Main Page * Festivals + Aoi Matsuri + Jidai Matsuri + Gion Festival + Gozan Fire Festival + Obon Festival * Geisha (Geiko), Maiko + Geiko or Maiko? + Geiko Dances + Miyako Odori + Gion Corner + Preservation * Gyotaku * Hoku/Gold Leaf Art * Japanese Mythology * Japanese Poetry + Haiku * Lacquer-ware + Maki-e * Literature + Tale of Genji * Marriage * Masks * Mon/Crest * Netsuke * Ninja * Noren * Origami * Painting * Pottery + Kiyomizo-yaki + Chawan + Kanjiro Kawai's House * Toro - Lanterns * Samurai + Soma Nomaoi * Sumo * Traditional Dress * Theater + Kagura + Bunraku + Gagaku - Bugaku + Kabuki + Kyogen + Noh + Butoh + Rakugo + Instruments Search [ ] [Go] * SHOPPING * Fureaikan - Museum of Traditional Crafts * Kyoto Handicraft Center * Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts * Department Stores * Old Markets + Temple/Shrine Markets + Nishiki Market + Sanjo-kai Shotengai Street + Ebisugawadori * Antiques + Ohto Antique Art Association + Utsuwa Akando * Accompanying Boxes -Tomobako * Bamboo + Take-Kogei + Sudare * Brushes * Buckets and Barrels - Oke * Candles - Warosoku * Candy * Carving * Clothing * Combs * TRADITIONAL AREAS * Cooking Utensils * Traditional Areas * Dolls - Kyo-Ningyo Map * Fans - Kyo-sensu * A Flaneuse in * Footwear Kyoto * Furoshiki * Arashiyama * Gallery District * Gold Leaf Art - Hoku + Adashino * Incense Nembutsu-ji * Knives + Bamboo Path * ACTIVITIES * Kumihimo + Gio-ji * Washoku Cooking * Lacquer-ware + Jojakko-ji + Cooking Lessons + Maki-e + Okochi Saso o Cooking-Kyo * Lanterns - Toro Villa Machiya * Mirror - Makyo + Rakushi-Sha o Haru Cooking * Netsuke + Saga Class * Paper - Washi Toriimoto o Obanzai + Chiyogami Paper * Daitoku-ji Temple Cooking * Pewter Complex o Roujiya * Pottery * Fushimi Cooking * Sake + Food Tour o Sunshine * Senbei Crackers + Fushimi Cooking * Soba Boro Cookies Inari-taisha School * Swords/Budo Supplies Shrine o Uzuki * EAT * Spices o Torii Japanese + Washoku * Stamps - Hanko Walk Cooking Cooking * Stationery o Hitaki o Nagomi + Dining + Postcards Sai Visits - Eat * CULTURE Etiquette + Pochibukuro + Gokonomi-ya with * Japanese + Power of + Mizuhiki Cord Shrine Families Esthetics Five * Tatami + Gekkeikan o Buckwheat + Yugen + Taishoku/ * Tea Okura Sake Noodle * Chado - The Way Meal Set + Tea Whisk - Museum (Soba) Of Tea + Omakase Chasen + Daigo-ji Making + Formal Tea + Shojin ryori * Textiles + Sambo-in Course Ceremony - Temple + Textile Artists + Kendonya o Kyogashi - Etiquette Food + Shibori - * Gion Shinbashi Candy Making * Kado - The Way of + Kaiseki Tie-dyeing + Miyako Odori o Sushi Making Flower Arranging + Kyoyasai - + Indigo - Aizome * Higashiyama * Archery Lesson * Kodo - The Way Of Kyoto + New Kimono District * Calligraphy Incense Vegetables + Antique Kimono * Kamigamo-jinja * Cinema * Shodo - The Way + Umami + Tenugui - Towel + Ota Shrine * Nara Farm Project of Calligraphy * Bakery * Ukiyo-e - Woodblock + Azekura - * Flower Arranging * Kintsugi - Art of * Bento Prints Italian * Food Tasting Repair * Chestnuts * Umbrella - Wagasa Restaurant * Funaokyama * Japanese * Dashi * Woodworking - * Kibune - Kurama * Garden Walk Etiquette * Donburi Sashimono + Kurama Fire * Guided Tours + Greeting * Eel/Unagi Festival * Home Visit + Japanese * Fruit + King of the * Heian Imperial Names * Gyoza Tengu Costume Studio + Shoes and * Italian * SLEEP * Mount Hiei * Children Kimono/ Slippers * Izakaya * Overview + Marathon Yukata Dress up + Dining * Japanese Curry * Sleep - My Monks * Koto Lesson Etiquette Rice Experiences * Myoshin-ji Temple * Kyoto Handicraft + Japanese * Kakigori/Shaved * Making Reservations Complex Center Table Manners Ice * Ryokan * Nara * Lacquerware Lesson + Chopsticks * Kamaboko - Fish + Stay in + Nara Farm * Lantern Making + Sitting Cake KyoMachiya Project * Meditation + Shrine * Katsu + Ryokan Etiquette + Nara * Museums Etiquette * Kushiage + Ryokan Options Festivals * Nishijin Textile + Temple * Miso + Reservations - + Naramachi Center Etiquette * Nabe - Hot Pot Ryokan + Preservation + Kyo-Yuzen Dyeing + Photograpy Cooking * Onsen + Burial Mounds * Pickle Tasting + Gift Giving * Natto * Hostel - Guesthouse + Hiking Trails * Pottery * Omotenashi - * Noodles * Hotel + Guides * Public Baths Hospitality + Ramen * Shukobo/Temple + Nara Visitor + Onsen * Bamboo + Soba Lodging Center and + Sento * Baths - Sento and o Honke * Minpaku Inn * Roketsu/Indigo Onsen Owariya * Thatched House + Seichou no Dyeing * Bonsai + Udon sato AWA * Sake Tasting * Bonseki * Obanzai + Murou-ji * Samurai * Community Shrines * Okonomiyaki Temple + Samurai Kembu * Ema * Pastries * ACTIVITIES + Yagyu + Soma Nomaoi * Figures * Persimmons * Washoku Cooking * Nijo Castle - * Shiatsu + Figures Main * Pickles - + Cooking Lessons Imperial Palace * Temple Stamp - Page Tsukemono o Cooking-Kyo + Ninomaru and Goshuuin * Festivals * Rice Machiya Honmaru * Toyouke No Mori - + Aoi Matsuri + Chazuke o Haru Cooking Palaces Nara Farm Project + Jidai Matsuri + Onigiri/Rice Class + Nijo Jinya * Special Sidetrips + Gion Festival Ball o Obanzai * Nishijin + Nagaokakyo + Gozan Fire * Sake Cooking + Kitano + Miho Museum Festival * Shabu Shabu o Roujiya Tenman-gu + Miyama Village + Obon Festival * Sushi Cooking + Orinasu-kan and Museums * Geisha (Geiko), * Sweets o Sunshine Museum + Mt. Koya Maiko + Warabi-mochi Cooking + Kamishichiken (Koya-san) + Geiko or + Dango Shops School + Mizuno o Kobo Dashi Maiko? + Minatoya - o Uzuki Katsuhiko (774-835) + Geiko Dances Ghost Candy Japanese Machiya + Yoshino in + Miyako Odori Shop Cooking Photograph Spring + Gion Corner * Takoyaki o Nagomi Gallery * Taiko + Preservation * Tea Visits - Eat * Ohara * Tea Ceremony * Gyotaku * Tempura with * Philosopher's * Tatami Making * Hoku/Gold Leaf * Teppanyaki and Families Path * Theater Art Kappo o Buckwheat * Sannei-zaka * Time with Artisans * Japanese * Tofu Noodle * Shimogamo-jinja * Time with Geisha/ Mythology * Vegetarian (Soba) * Sumiya and the Mieko * Japanese Poetry * Wasabi Making Shimabara + Miyako Odori + Haiku * Yakitori Course District + Geiko Dances * Lacquer-ware * Yuba o Kyogashi - * Uji + Gion Corner + Maki-e + Kaishichiken Candy Making + Tale of Genji * Walking/Hiking * Literature * Yakizakana - o Sushi Making + The Kyoto Trail + Tale of Genji Grilled Fish * Archery Lesson * Woodblock-Making * Marriage * Calligraphy Workshops * Masks * Cinema * THEATER * Yoga/Lunch * Mon/Crest * Nara Farm Project * Bunraku * Rainy Day Activities * Netsuke * GARDENS * Flower Arranging * Gagaku * Special Events * Ninja * Suikinkutsu * Food Tasting * Kabuki + Kyoto Visitor's * Noren * Anraku-ji * Funaokyama * Noh Guide * Origami * Byodo-in * Garden Walk * Yugen + Summer Cool * Painting * Daigo-ji * Guided Tours + Kabuki in Kyoto * Pottery * Daisen-in * Home Visit + Festivals + Kiyomizo-yaki * Daitoku-ji * Heian Imperial o Aoi Matsuri + Chawan * Ginkaku-ji Costume Studio * TRAVEL SUPPORT o Gion Matsuri + Kanjiro * Honen-in * Children Kimono/ * Passports - Visas o Jidai Kawai's House * Hosen-in Yukata Dress up * Arrival at Kansai Matsuri * Toro - Lanterns * Jakko-in Nunnery * Koto Lesson International o Atago * Samurai * Jikko-in * Kyoto Handicraft Airport (KIX) Sennichi + Soma Nomaoi * Kodatei Center * Transportation to Mairi * Sumo * Korin-in * Lacquerware Lesson Kyoto o Yasurai * Traditional Dress * Koto-in * Lantern Making + Train Matsuri * Theater * Ninna-ji * Meditation + Limosine o Obon + Kagura * Nijo-jo * Museums + Shuttle/Taxi o Hanatoro + Bunraku * Ryoan-ji * Nishijin Textile * Transportation o Full Moon + Gagaku - * Ryougen-in Center within Kyoto Viewing Bugaku * Sambo-in + Kyo-Yuzen Dyeing + Kyoto Central o New Year's - + Kabuki * Sanzen-en * Pickle Tasting Station Guide Hatsumode + Kyogen * Shisen-do * Pottery + Taxi o Illumination + Noh * Shinsen-en * Public Baths + Subway - Bus Calendar + Butoh * Shoden-ji + Onsen + Hop On/Hop + Rakugo * Shugaku-in Rikyu + Sento Off Bus + Instruments * Taizo-in * Roketsu/Indigo + Bicycle * Tenryu-ji Dyeing + Walking/ * ARCHITECTURE * Toji-in * Sake Tasting Hiking * Traditional Houses * Zuihou-in * Samurai + Walking Maps * Kyo-Machiya + Samurai Kembu * Money + History + Soma Nomaoi + ATM + Architectural * Shiatsu * Information Features * Temple Stamp - Centers + Architectural Goshuuin * Helpful Phrases Layout * Toyouke No Mori - * Weather * Kyoto Buddhist Nara Farm Project * Public Restrooms Achitecture * Special Sidetrips * Post Offices * Storehouses + Nagaokakyo * Public Holidays * Carpenters + Miho Museum * Calling Home * Materials + Miyama Village * Sim Card * Famous Tea Houses and Museums * Rental Phone * Horina Memorial + Mt. Koya * Free WiFi Museum (Koya-san) * Pocket Wi-Fi o Kobo Dashi * Wheelchair Access (774-835) * Kyoto for Muslims + Yoshino in * Emergencies Spring * Medicines * Taiko * Medical * Tea Ceremony Facilities * Tatami Making * Shipping * Theater * Time with Artisans * Time with Geisha/ Mieko * RESOURCES + Miyako Odori + Geiko Dances + Gion Corner * Walking/Hiking + The Kyoto Trail * Woodblock-Making Workshops * Yoga/Lunch * Rainy Day Activities * Special Events + Kyoto Visitor's Guide + Summer Cool + Kabuki in Kyoto + Festivals o Aoi Matsuri o Gion Matsuri o Jidai Matsuri o Atago Sennichi Mairi o Yasurai Matsuri o Obon o Hanatoro o Full Moon Viewing o New Year's - Hatsumode o Illumination Calendar Traditional Kyoto * P O Box 1636 * Langley, Washington 98260 Penny Kaela Bauer * info@traditionalkyoto.com Much more to see at www.thegiftsproject.com site by graysonwebdesign.com * RSS Feed * Log in Copyright (c) 2021 * All Rights Reserved * Facebook * Twitter * LinkedIn * Google Plus * Email