Origin of kintsugi
- In Kanazawa House
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Kintsugi has become a powerful metaphor for healing, imperfection, and resilience around the world. But what exactly is it? Where did it come from? And why is this traditional Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold attracting so much global attention today?
Let’s explore the rich history, cultural roots, and timeless philosophy behind kintsugi — and why it still matters in the 21st century.
1.What Is Kintsugi?
Kintsugi (金継ぎ), literally meaning “golden joinery,” is the traditional Japanese method of repairing broken ceramics using urushi lacquer and precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum.
But unlike typical repairs that try to hide damage, kintsugi highlights the cracks and imperfections. Rather than disguising them, the fractures become part of the object's story — a mark of survival, not failure.
This philosophy reflects wabi-sabi, the Japanese aesthetic that embraces transience, imperfection, and the beauty of natural aging.
2. The Origin of Kintsugi (15th Century)
The roots of kintsugi trace back to the late 15th century, during Japan’s Muromachi period.According to legend, the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa sent a damaged Chinese tea bowl back to China for repair. It returned with ugly metal staples (similar to Western "staple repairs").
Disappointed, he asked Japanese craftsmen if they could do better. Their response was elegant: they used lacquer and gold dust to restore the piece — making the cracks beautiful rather than trying to erase them.
This marked the birth of kintsugi as an art form that transforms breakage into beauty and meaning.
3. Kintsugi and the Japanese Tea Ceremony
Kintsugi is more than just a method of ceramic repair — it is deeply rooted in the spiritual and aesthetic values of Japanese culture.Nowhere is this connection clearer than in the Japanese tea ceremony (茶道 / sado), where the principles of wabi-sabi are not only appreciated but practiced.
The tea ceremony, developed in the 16th century under the influence of Zen Buddhism, emphasizes humility, simplicity, and transience. It celebrates the imperfect, the impermanent, and the incomplete — exactly the values that kintsugi embodies.
One of the most influential figures in this movement was Sen no Rikyu, the legendary tea master who defined the aesthetics of wabi-cha, a rustic and minimalist form of tea ceremony.Rikyu is said to have favored cracked, weathered, or uneven tea bowls over pristine ones. Why? Because they carried a unique presence — a quiet elegance shaped by time and use.
In this context, a kintsugi-repaired bowl is not a flaw to be hidden, but a feature to be honored. The gold seams draw attention to the break, transforming what was once seen as damage into a meaningful part of the object’s life story
4. Kintsugi in the Edo Period
By the Edo period (1603–1868), kintsugi had spread beyond tea masters to samurai households, wealthy merchants, and common artisans.
As ceramics became more accessible, people wanted to preserve valuable or sentimental pieces — not discard them. Kintsugi offered a philosophical and practical solution.
Specialized artisans emerged, offering various styles:
Gold kintsugi (using real gold powder)
Silver and brass variations (more affordable)
Yobitsugi: the art of combining pieces from different vessels
Kintsugi was no longer just a repair — it was a statement of elegance, resourcefulness, and respect for craftsmanship.
5. The Decline of Kintsugi in Modern Japan
With the arrival of the Meiji Restoration (1868) and Japan’s rapid modernization, mass production and Western materials began to dominate.
Ceramics were now cheap and easy to replace. The traditional mindset of “fix and reuse” gave way to “throw away and buy new.”
As a result, kintsugi nearly disappeared in the 20th century. Many artisans closed their workshops, and the art was practiced only by a small number of traditionalists.
However, this decline laid the foundation for its unexpected revival.
6. The Global Revival of Kintsugi (21st Century)
In the early 2000s, kintsugi resurfaced, not only in Japan but also abroad.
Why?
Sustainability: In an age of climate awareness, kintsugi aligns with eco-conscious living — repairing instead of discarding.
Emotional healing: Psychologists and writers began using kintsugi as a metaphor for personal resilience.
Slow living and mindfulness: The delicate, quiet nature of kintsugi appealed to people seeking calm, hands-on creative experiences.
Books, blogs, and influencers started showcasing kintsugi as both a craft and a philosophy, fueling demand for workshops, online kits, and art exhibits.
The world was ready to embrace imperfection as beauty — just as Japan had centuries ago.
7. Kintsugi Today: Art, Therapy, and Innovation
Contemporary kintsugi has moved beyond traditional tea bowls.
Today, it is:
A design element in fashion, architecture, and product branding
A form of artistic expression in galleries worldwide
A tool in mental health and trauma therapy
Young Japanese and international artists are experimenting with colored powders, non-ceramic materials, and even digital kintsugi. Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest have fueled its visual popularity.
Meanwhile, kintsugi workshops are now a popular tourist activity in cities like Kyoto, Tokyo, and Kanazawa, allowing travelers to make and take home a piece of living philosophy.
8.Why Kintsugi Still Matters Today
Kintsugi reminds us that:
“What has been broken can become even more beautiful.”
It teaches:
Respect for what once was
Acceptance of imperfection
Healing through creation
In a fast-paced, perfection-seeking world, kintsugi encourages us to slow down, appreciate flaws, and find meaning in the mended.
Whether you're a traveler, a creative, or someone healing from your own cracks — the spirit of kintsugi offers a quiet kind of wisdom.
