Satsuma Vase: 146 days of restoration
Japan implemented the Sakoku policy in the 17th century and ceased all international trade, retreating the nation into a…
Kintsugi Terrace
Kintsugi Ceramic Repair | Japanese Art
in Toronto, Canada
What is Kintsugi?
Japanese Tradition
Kintsugi (金継ぎ) is the Japanese traditional techniques of restoring broken pottery and porcelains by mending the areas of breakage with Urushi natural lacquer.
As the name of Kintsugi suggests, gold is used for decoration after restoration, a technique that highlights that chips and cracks can be beautiful. This method became popular in Japan during the Muromachi period (1336-1573).
Philosophy
Kintsugi’s philosophy reflects Japanese culture and teaches us:
(1) the importance of cherishing and caring for things in a mass consumption society, and (2) the beauty of brokenness and imperfection in things and ourselves.
We all experience scars and scratches in our hearts in our lifetime, but they are a part of our history and give a new beauty to us – no need to be ashamed or hide them as we all are beautiful in every way.
The Artist
Yui, Kintsugi Terrace
Yui is the ceramic restorer at Kintsugi Terrace. She is from Japan, where she has practiced the art for several years. Yui moved to Toronto, Canada and started Kintsugi Terrace to share the beauty of the art of taking good care of precious pieces and passing on history to the next generation .
In modern times, some use glue as a simplified version. However, Yui does kintsugi the traditional way using natural urushi lacquer.
The Art
Kintsugi Terrace believes each piece of tableware has a story or memory to tell, especially the chips and cracks. One of the charms of kintsugi is the ability to restore such ware and give new beauty and uniqueness to the piece.
