What is the Japanese Art of Kintsugi?
Hello!
I invite you to view my work which fuses the Japanese Art of Kintsugi with the healing energies of the Chakras. As my work addresses philosophies of renewal behind both these concepts, I wanted to take the opportunity to provide some depth regarding each one and thought I would start with the Art of Kintsugi first.
Kintsugi, also known as Kintsukuroi, is a traditional Japanese art form that involves repairing broken pottery or ceramics using lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or other precious metals. The word "kintsugi" can be broken down into "kin" (金), meaning gold, and "tsugi" (継ぎ), meaning to join or mend, which essentially describes the essence of this art form. Kintsugi is not only a technique for mending broken objects but also a philosophy that celebrates imperfection and the beauty of embracing flaws.
The history of kintsugi dates to the late 15th century, during the Muromachi period in Japan. It is often associated with a legendary tale about a tea master named Sen no Rikyū. According to this story, Rikyū broke a valuable Chinese tea bowl and sent it back to China for repair. When it returned, it was fixed with unattractive metal staples, so he decided to find a more elegant and aesthetic way to repair broken ceramics. This quest led to the development of kintsugi.
Kintsugi carries a deep philosophical meaning, reflecting the Japanese aesthetic concept of "wabi-sabi." This concept celebrates the beauty of impermanence, imperfection, and the passage of time. Kintsugi exemplifies this philosophy by turning the act of repair into an art form that adds value to the object rather than concealing its history of breakage.
One of my works: Intuition – Acrylic & 23kt Gold Leaf on Wood – 12 x 12 inches
“Intuition” was inspired by Rothko’s use of color. I delved into a textural and predominantly monochromatic representation of the 6th chakra (AJNA) also know as our third eye chakra. Its aura color is Indigo and is our window to intuition and insight. Fusing the use of this color with the art of Kintsugi, I wanted to show imperfect life experiences are still a path to wisdom. We can improve our actions after gaining further insight and wisdom as we travel through life.
Today, kintsugi is not limited to Japanese ceramics but has also been adapted and practiced worldwide as a symbol of resilience, and a means of highlighting the beauty in our own imperfections. It continues to be a powerful and evocative art form that connects the past with the present, reminding us of the beauty that can emerge from life's inevitable fractures and flaws.
There are many cmasters of this art in Japan. For those of you unfamiliar with the process and how this art is applied to pottery, invite you to view a short video via YouTube link here. Morty Bachar of Lakeside Pottery is a nationally recognized ceramicist. His studio is in Rehobeth Beach, Delaware. He applies the art in a traditionally manner using contemporary elements, such as epoxy, instead of Urushi. His YouTube video provides an elegant visual summary of the Art and how it is incorporated into his practice. In Japan, the art of Kintsugi is prominent in homes, restaurants, museums - basically in every day life. While the art of Kintsugi may be relatively unknown in the US, Morty’s artisanship provides a beautiful introduction to this timeless art and concept.
Enjoy the video and as always, I love to hear your thoughts and comments. What do you think of the Japanese Art of Kintsugi? If you are familiar with the philosophy, how have you applied it in your every day life?
With Special thanks to Morty Bachar of Lakeside Pottery
Artfully Yours
Rajul