What Is Kintsugi?
The Ancient Japanese Art of Repair and Why It Still Resonates Today
Matcha Bowl Commission | Traditional Kintsugi Repair | 2025
Once a quiet, countercultural practice, Kintsugi has found its way into modern consciousness: featured in glossy lifestyle books, DIY kits, and social media feeds filled with images of golden seams shimmering against smooth ceramics. Beyond these aesthetics, however, Kintsugi is a centuries-old craft rooted in patience, philosophy, and profound transformation.
As a Kintsugi artist and the founder of Precious Scars Studio, I’ve dedicated years to mastering both traditional Japanese techniques and contemporary adaptations of this meaningful work. My own name, Kira, means “sparkling” or “golden” in Japanese—a curiously fitting coincidence.
This article demystifies Kintsugi: its origins, its processes, and the enduring resonance that makes it particularly relevant in a world that often feels increasingly fragile.
A Craft with Ancient Roots
Kintsugi, translated as “golden joinery,” refers specifically to the Japanese practice of repairing broken ceramics using urushi (natural lacquer) adorned with gold. Its history stretch back thousands of years, with early lacquer-based repairs (known as urushitsugi) dating to over 4,000 years ago—perhaps even earlier.
The more distinct aesthetic practice of repair grew in prominence with the philosophy of wabi-sabi during Japan’s Muromachi period (1336–1573), initially as a countercultural movement advocated for by tea master Sen no Rikyū, and eventually becoming much more celebrated during the Edo period. There will be a future blog post all about the tea ceremony, but it is important to understand that they were symbols of political power. Sen no Rikyū was much more interested in the ceremonies being a reverent, humble, and meditative.
Ōido tea bowl, “Shumi or Jūmonji,” Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), 16th century, Ido ware, Ōido, h 8.0 cm, d. 14.8 cm, Mitsui Memorial Museum Collection, Tokyo
While the craft comes in and out of fashion (right now it is certainly IN), kintsugi is a tangible extension of deeper philosophical discussions. Wabi-sabi is the most prominent of these corner stones, as mentioned above it was the punk rock of 1500s Japanese culture. It is the appreciation of impermanence and imperfection, finding beauty in patina that marks the passage of time. Without getting into the weeds, again there will be so many blog posts on this but kintsugi aligns more with the concept of kirei-sabi—a philosophy that embraces refinement and the passage of time as a form of quiet beauty, adorning the patina if you will. Wabi-sabi fits more in line with urushitsugi as it does not boast or call attention to itself, while Kintsugi and kirei-sabi are the flashier evolution.
More Than a Metaphor: The Technical Art of Kintsugi
The symbolic power of Kintsugi—resilience, healing, renewal—draws many to explore it, but at its core, Kintsugi is highly meticulous and technically demanding. Traditional Kintsugi employs natural materials requiring exact conditions: controlled temperature and humidity, precise layering, and days or weeks of curing between steps.
In recent years, modern Kintsugi kits using epoxy resin and metallic powders have broadened accessibility, but this ease can sometimes lead to misconceptions about the depth of the craft. While casual exploration is perfectly valid, I encourage deeper reflection on the meaning behind repair: true Kintsugi is never simply about making something beautiful again. It’s an intentional act of understanding, patience, and respect for the object's history and its future. I teach using epoxy for its utility and speed but always emphasize that refined non-traditional work still takes patience and a sensitivity to materials.
At Precious Scars Studio, I work with both traditional and non-traditional materials. All of my work emphasizes integrity, craftsmanship, and respect for the lineage of the objects as well as the history of the craft itself.
Want to Explore More?
If you’re intrigued by Kintsugi—whether as a craft, a philosophy, or a way to bring meaning back into something broken—I invite you to explore further on this site. Future blog posts will delve deeper into topics like:
Traditional vs. Modern Kintsugi Techniques
A Brief History of Urushi and Essential Tools of the Craft
What Sets Kintsugi Jewelry Apart from Ceramic Repairs
The Philosophy of Mono no Aware and Its Relevance Today
Thank you for joining me on this exploration of a craft that’s become one of the most meaningful aspects of my life and work.
—Kira
