How does kintsugi repair look on glass material?

Kintsugi technique can repair broken glasses. There is a type of urushi lacquer for glass restoration. Glass restoration requires more dedicated work than ceramic and porcelain, especially grinding and adhesion process. I have worked on a pair of cracked ryuku glasses. The finishing used for the pink glass is 24k golden powder (kin-keshifun) and for the blue one is a silver powder (gin-keshifun).
“Ryukyu glass” started in Okinawa after WW2, at first being made from recycled empty bottles discarded from U.S. military bases due to the lack of supplies back then. Today, although rarely made from recycled bottles, they are made by glass artisans in Okinawa using the same hand-blowing technique. Their colorful appearance and fine bubbles are a signature of the style.

This pair of pink and blue Ryukyu glasses was a precious gift from former colleagues when I left Okinawa in 2015, where I lived for three years.
I used them every day with great care, but the pink glass had chips and cracks on the rim, and the blue one had a couple of cracks, so I had to repair them.
Kintsugi can repair not only ceramic wares but also glass and wooden tableware.

Mending the glasses brought back memories of the days I spent in Okinawa. I am very happy to be able to make daily use of these glasses, which carry dear memories; the beauty of Kintsugi art that you can adore.

Ryukyu Glass
Country of origin: Okinawa, Japan
Glass artisan: Unknown

Japanese Below:

琉球ガラスで作られたペアグラス
ピンクグラスには金消粉、ブルーグラスには銀消粉で仕上げ装飾を。

琉球グラスは戦後沖縄で始まったもので、米軍の基地から破棄されていた空のコーラ瓶やビール瓶をリサイクルし作られていました。今は空瓶を使用しているところはあまりないですが、変わらず沖縄のガラス職人たちが、吹きガラス技法で製造しています。
このピンクとブルーの琉球ペアグラスは、私自身が2015年に3年間住んでいた沖縄を離れる時に、職場のみんなから贈り物として頂いた大切な物です。

大切に毎日使用していたのですが、ピンクグラスには口に欠けとヒビが生じ、ブルーグラスにはヒビが入ってしまい、お直しをしたものです。
金継ぎは陶器だけではなく、ガラスや木製食器をお直しすることもできます。

沖縄で過ごした日々を思い出しながらのお直しは、とても心地の良いものでした。
そして、また思いが詰まったグラスを日々の暮らしで使えるのはとても嬉しいです。
これもまた金継ぎの良さ一つだと個人的に思います。

琉球グラス
原産国:沖縄(日本)
作家:不明


Get in Touch

Do you have any vessels with memories and stories in your home?
Keep beautiful memories alive and create new ones by preserving the items that support us along the way. Please feel free to ask any questions about Kintsugi services and Japanese traditions. Contact us via email at info@kintsugiterrace.com.

Arigatou!