Broken can be beautiful: The Japanese art of Kintsugi
Over recent years Kintsugi has gained a lot of popularity not only in Japan but all over the world. The concept of Kintsugi is world-renowned and its aesthetics frequently act as an inspiration for individuals, artists, and huge businesses. It is commonly utilized as an example of overcoming the trauma and failures that life throws and accepting that one’s imperfections are a part of their identity. Those imperfections don’t make you less beautiful.
While many people are familiar with the fact that in kIntsugi gold lacquer is used to put together the broken pieces. Yes, that’s absolutely correct but this traditional craft has many layers that are definitely worth exploring. So let’s explore the Japanese art of Kintsugi, but before that let’s understand what is kintsugi.
What is Kintsugi?
kintsugi also known as kintsukuroi (金繕い, “golden repair”) is the Japanese art of fixing broken ceramics with urushi lacquer coated or combined with powdered gold, silver, or platinum.
The connection between Kintsugi and Lacquerware
The term “kintsugi” is a combination of the Japanese words for “gold” (金) and “joinery” (継ぎ). So it’s justified to say that Kintsugi craftsmen use gold to put together the broken pieces of ceramic. However, the major element in kintsugi is not gold, but Urushi.
Urushi refers to the lacquer tree’s sap. It’s a natural substance with superior protection and adhesive characteristics. The Urushi lacquer is used throughout the entire kintsugi process, from gluing the broken pieces together to the gold finishing layer. That is why kintsugi is so strongly associated with the craft of lacquerware.
The Origin of Kintsugi
The 15th-century military ruler, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, sent a cherished tea bowl to China for repair. On receiving it back he was dismayed with the work done. He approached a local craftsman for the work, who came up with a unique solution. He suggested that instead of hiding the cracks why don’t we flaunt them with bright gold lacquer? In this way, the bowl will get repaired and it will also look aesthetically pleasing. This approach gave rise to the art and craft of kintsugi.
Kintsugi Philosophy: Broken can be beautiful Again
Kintsugi is all about creating something new out of the broken pieces. A new object with a different kind of beauty. The uniqueness of the object is its imperfection and the cracks that are filled with gold lacquer. Even if the broken object is mended, the cracks are still visible which acts as a reflection of the past.
The art of kintsugi is deeply connected with the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi (侘び寂び) which embraces imperfection and simplicity. It’s also an appreciation of natural forces which act as a reminder that nothing lasts forever.
Wabi-sabi can also be applied to observing something and seeing it evolve into something even more beautiful over time. Kintsugi as an art not only restores the object but also enhances its beauty.
In an age of commercialization and uniformity, learning to embrace and welcome imperfection, as kintsugi does, can be empowering. Whether it’s being turned down for a promotion, not getting into a desired university, or recovering from a breakup. There will be many times when life will disappoint us, but we have to keep our faith intact even when we have every right not to. Always remember that disappointments are always an opportunity to grow. As Haruki Murakami rightly said, “When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what the storm is all about.”
The new object will not be perfect or the way you imagine it to be, but it is beautiful. Instead of hiding the flaws kintsugi teaches us to embrace them. The kintsugi approach emphasizes and pays attention to them. Kintsugi’s philosophy, as a way of life, can help us stay positive when we encounter failure. We can try to pick up the broken parts and, put them back together. The result may not appear attractive at first glance, but as wabi-sabi teaches, with time, we may be able to appreciate the beauty of those imperfections. It acts as a reminder for you, me and everyone that broken can be beautiful again.
A Display of Artful Brilliance
This ageless art form teaches us to accept flaws, see beauty in the unexpected, and value the unique stories behind each item. At Giftex, we honor this tradition through a selection of extraordinary items, each with its own unique history. Our upcoming auction on Modern and Contemporary Art, scheduled for October 14th and 15th, is more than just a demonstration of timeless beauty and artistic creativity; it is also an amazing opportunity to acquire some exceptional artworks. Conducted by Giftex which is one of the best auction houses, this online auction offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to add to your collection works that symbolize both artistic brilliance and modern creativity. Don’t pass up the opportunity to discover these incredible treasures and bring home something extraordinary.
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