Day 2892: Kintsugi for the broken.

"Karin": ink brush drawing, watercolor, and junk mail collage.

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A re-post from my blog, Day 1887, September 23, 2017.

Maybe it's because I am broken, 

but aren't many of us in some way?

I love the Japanese custom of Kintsugi!

Nothing is ever truly broken ... that's the philosophy 

behind the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi, which repairs 

smashed pottery by using beautiful seams of gold.

Photo: Tom Slemmons

Kintsugi detail. Photo: Matthew Tyas

The story of Kintsugi 

is said to have begun 

in the 15th century 

when Japanese 

military commander 

Ashikaga Yoshimasa 

broke one of his 

beloved Chinese 

tea bowls and, 

disappointed with 

a shoddy repair job 

it was treated to, urged Japanese craftsmen to 

come up with a more  

pleasing method of repair.

Translated to “golden joinery,” Kintsugi (or Kintsukuroi, 

which means “golden repair”)  the centuries-old Japanese 

art  gives a unique appearance to broken pottery

repaired with a seam of lacquer and precious metal.

Painting a Kintsugi pot. Photo: Tom Slemmons

Trust the Japanese to encapsulate the wisdom of the ages into a single object. Theirs is a culture with an enviable talent 

for clarity of both thought and communication, and with an 

admirable attitude to what really matters in life.

Images & resources from  BBC Four's Japan season, here.

Lakeside Pottery 

. 

Kintsugi often makes the repaired piece even more beautiful 

than the original, revitalizing it with new life.

Photo: June's Child

If you want more, a wonderful page explaining

the 3 predominant styles of Kintsugi:

 crack, piece method, and joint-call can be found here.

• An article & pics from The Broad & Christopher Wool, here.

A very short feel-good video from Linda Bucci, here

Smiles for Saturday ...