Kintsugi: The Powerful Japanese technique to cherish your mistakes.

When a bowl breaks due to our mistake, the immediate reaction is often regret over the loss. However, in the Japanese art of Kintsugi, we discover a profound lesson: our mistakes can be seen as opportunities for growth. This article draws inspiration from the remarkable Japanese technique known as ‘Kintsugi: golden joinery’.

What is Kintsugi?

Everything around us is destined for eventual destruction or breakage. Consider the magnificent ancient monuments that succumbed to invading armies. Once symbols of mighty kingdoms, heroic warriors, and immense wealth, they now lie in ruins. Yet, their beauty endures, each one telling a profound tale.

In Japan, when a pot, bowl, or vase is accidentally broken, there is no blame or scolding. Instead, they embrace the mistake and entrust the broken pieces to a Kintsugi artist for the repair of the pottery.

Kintsugi: Elevating Pottery Repair to a Transformative art.

Kintsugi is not merely a technique for any pottery; it is an art that preserves stories. Objects with history, like a vase handed down through generations or a child’s accidental breakage of a cherished piece, hold significance. It is these narratives that imbue value and importance to the pieces repaired by a Kintsugi artist.

• Broken pieces in Kintsugi are carefully rejoined using lacquer.
• These seams are then adorned with fine gold dust, elevating the piece into a valuable artwork.
• The distinctive golden lacquered cracks are the defining feature of Kintsugi art.
• The lacquer used in Kintsugi comes from the Urushi tree, which dies once its sap is harvested, prompting Kintsugi artists to appreciate Mother Nature deeply.

Philosophy of Kintsugi.

Everything that is created is destined to be broken.

No matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

Faraaz Kazi

Whether it’s something we treasure dearly or a person we deeply care about, we often fear losing them. We invest time, love, and emotional energy into their presence in our lives, and feel sadness when they are no longer with us. However, the truth is that everything around us is bound to decay or break down, and relationships are no different.

At the beginning, relationships are formed based on mutual need and attraction, and are nurtured and valued. But over time, these feelings can fade, leading to the end of the relationship on a bitter note. In Kintsugi, this natural process of decay is not seen as negative, but as something to be celebrated. When a relationship ends, rather than dwelling in regret, we should see it as a chance for a fresh start and to find happiness in new beginnings.

Finding strength in brokenness.

A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minutes it begins to rain.

Mark Twain

At times, circumstances don’t align as we hope. We may face setbacks in our careers or finances, feeling the weight of expectations from others. These moments can leave us feeling shattered and inadequate.

But remember, this is not the end. It’s a phase where things aren’t falling into place as expected. Take a moment to breathe and gather the fragments of your life. Search for the ‘lacquer’—new opportunities—that will bind these broken pieces together again, much like Kintsugi.

"Our minds often buzz with a multitude of thoughts, which can distract us from noticing new opportunities. However, when we set a clear objective in our minds, it becomes easier to recognize these opportunities. This concept is illustrated well by 'The Red Car Theory'. [Link below]"

Our Imperfection define our uniqueness.

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is a greatest accomplishment.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Every scar tells a significant story. In Kintsugi, when broken pieces are meticulously joined with golden lacquer, they create intricate patterns that make the pot uniquely valuable. Similarly, in life, we should embrace our imperfections rather than conceal them.

Consider academics as an example: some students excel in studies while others thrive in sports or art. Athletes should never feel ashamed of their academic performance. Instead, they should focus on their sport to achieve success.

Imperfections are not mistakes; they are the marks of uniqueness and the badges of courage.

Brené Brown

Symbolism of Gold.

• The incorporation of gold in Kintsugi signifies the preservation of the artifact’s importance, emphasizing that even when broken, the object retains significant value.
• In Kintsugi, the cracks of the object are adorned with gold, serving as a representation that we should embrace our imperfections rather than feel ashamed of them.
• Furthermore, gold symbolizes the beauty of healing. As the broken pieces are fused together, the contrast with ceramic enhances the aesthetic appeal of the repaired object.

The Tale of the Golden Tea Bowl

In the 16th century Japan, there was a renowned tea master named Sen no Rikyū who perfected the art of tea ceremony. Legend has it that he owned a precious bowl which he accidentally broke one day. Instead of discarding it, he resolved to repair it.

Initially, he attempted to mend it using metal strips, but he found the result unsatisfactory. He then opted for a different approach, using lacquer resin mixed with gold to piece the bowl back together. Upon completing the repair, he transformed the bowl into a beautiful piece adorned with golden streaks. This marked the inception of Kintsugi.

Summary of the article:

The article explores the profound philosophy behind Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. It emphasizes several key themes:

1. Embracing Imperfection and Change: Kintsugi teaches us to embrace our mistakes and celebrate our scars as part of our journey. Just as broken pottery is repaired with gold-dusted lacquer, highlighting the damage as a valuable part of its history, we too can find beauty and strength in our imperfections.
2. Value of Impermanence: Everything in life, including relationships and objects, is destined for eventual decay or breakage. This impermanence is not a cause for despair but an opportunity for growth and renewal, as symbolized by Kintsugi.
3. Artistic and Philosophical Significance: Kintsugi is not merely a technique but an art form that preserves stories and imbues broken objects with new meaning and value. It encourages resilience and a positive perspective on life’s challenges.
4. Metaphor for Personal Growth: Like the repaired pottery, our experiences of setbacks and failures can be transformative. Instead of letting past mistakes hinder us, we should view them as opportunities to rebuild and pursue new beginnings with confidence.

Overall, Kintsugi serves as a powerful metaphor for embracing change, accepting imperfections, and finding beauty in resilience and renewal. It teaches us valuable lessons about the inherent impermanence of life and the strength that comes from embracing our flaws and setbacks.