From Broken to Beautiful: My Journey with Kintsugi
One day, I accidentally dropped and broke a bowl that held many cherished memories. I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away, so I started researching ways to repair it. That’s when I discovered kintsugi—the art of embracing flaws and finding beauty in broken things.
Eager to learn more, I decided to study under a master of urushi (Japanese lacquer art) to fully immerse myself in this profound craft. Kintsugi is more than just repairing broken ceramics—it is a philosophy that teaches us to celebrate imperfection and appreciate the history of an object rather than hiding its cracks. When we look at a kintsugi-repaired piece, we don’t just see a mended bowl; we see the passage of time, the hands that have touched it, and the stories it carries. Instead of discarding something because it is broken, kintsugi elevates it into a work of art, making it even more beautiful than before.
Despite being such an incredible tradition, I was surprised to find that many of my Japanese friends had never heard of kintsugi. This inspired me to share its philosophy—"scars tell a story, and true beauty comes from resilience"—and its techniques with as many people as possible, leading me to start my own company.
At first, I managed everything on my own, but over time, more young women who were passionate about working in Japan’s traditional crafts industry joined me. Today, I work alongside eight kintsugi professionals, restoring countless ceramics and bringing joy to people through our work.
Through this journey, we are not only preserving Japan’s lacquerware traditions but also fostering the next generation of artisans, helping to revitalize a craft that has been in decline.
I hope people all over the world can experience the philosophy of kintsugi—a reminder that our flaws and past hardships do not diminish our value, but instead make us stronger, more unique, and even more beautiful.
