KINTSUGI: A PHILOSOPHY OF TRANSFORMATION

If you are interested in Japanese culture, I believe you will enjoy reading this article.

A 700-year-old tradition.

The art of repairing broken pottery in Japanese culture; a teaching that has spread worldwide.

Here's the story:

In the 15th century, a Japanese commander sent his broken ceramic tea cup to China for repair. However, when it was returned, he was dissatisfied with its new appearance. Gathering Japanese craftsmen, he expressed his desire for a more aesthetically pleasing and beautiful result. Thus, Japanese artisans, with their design-focused and aesthetic approach, created a recycling art form that also carries a profound philosophy.

Broken pieces are filled with precious metals such as gold, silver, or platinum. The goal is not to restore the object to its original state but to make it more beautiful than before. It encourages observers to see the beauty in imperfection. In this sense, Kintsugi is based on another Japanese philosophy: wabi-sabi.

Wabi-sabi is a life philosophy that focuses on accepting imperfections and choosing to see the beauty within flaws. It emphasizes embracing cracks along with their past and experiences.

"Kin" means gold, and "tsugi" means to join. Traditionally, lacquer resin from a special tree mixed with gold, silver, or platinum powder is used in the repair process, which takes about a month with patience and meticulous care. Today, however, it can be done much more quickly using epoxy and gold powder or other synthetic materials.

Instead of concealing the breakage of ceramic items, Kintsugi highlights the cracks and imperfections, turning them into a visual aesthetic. Similar to a type of patchwork, it accentuates the flaw and makes it valuable. The object is not only repaired but transformed into a new, more beautiful, and precious version of itself. It becomes a unique work of art. Ultimately, the object gains a new and different identity through its lived experiences.

Kintsugi reminds me of patchwork quilting. In quilting, different fabric pieces are sewn together in various patterns to create a new product. From something old, a valuable new piece is created.

The purpose of writing this article is to create awareness by introducing the philosophy of Kintsugi to those who may not have heard of it.

In today's world, where perfection is highly emphasized, it is important to remember that flaws exist.

Although Kintsugi is an art form, it carries a deep philosophy. According to this philosophy, breaking is not a loss or defect but a new existence. It is about giving new life. Beyond repairing a crack, it aims to add value to the object.

If we compare people to fragile ceramics, we sometimes unintentionally hurt those in our lives and later regret it. In light of this philosophy, with enough effort and care, we can repair broken relationships and renew them with stronger bonds.

Kintsugi teaches us to recognize our own cracks, beautify them, and heal ourselves.

By accepting the hardships and breaks of life, we can succeed in the process of "acknowledging," "starting to repair," "healing," and "rebuilding" based on this philosophy.

Rather than striving for perfection, we can try to see our flaws and life's challenges as valuable experiences. These experiences strengthen and develop us. By confronting our deficiencies, we can cultivate a more resilient character.

Instead of hiding our flaws, accepting them allows us to acknowledge past experiences and lived moments, emphasizing that imperfection, mistakes, and weaknesses are part of human nature.

We may break, we may be broken, and our walls may crack. By accepting these, we must treat ourselves with compassion and take care of our well-being during the rebuilding process.

Lana Del Rey references Kintsugi in her heartbreaking song, describing fragmentation and how a person can rebuild their life in an even more beautiful way. In her lyrics, she remembers deceased family members, expressing how their passing broke her, affected her, and her struggle to overcome the pain.

Of course, applying the philosophy of Kintsugi is a personal journey. You, too, can repair your own cracks and approach the challenges in your life with a more positive perspective through this philosophy.

With love…