Kintsugi, also known as Kintsukuroi, is an ancient Japanese art form that involves repairing broken pottery or ceramics using lacquer mixed with powdered precious metals such as gold, silver, or platinum. The term "Kintsugi" translates to "golden joinery" or "golden repair" in Japanese, and it reflects the practice of repairing the broken pieces of an object by highlighting the cracks with these precious materials.
Rather than disguising or hiding the damage, Kintsugi embraces the flaws and imperfections of the broken object, turning them into integral parts of its history and aesthetics. The repaired pieces often exhibit intricate patterns of gold or other metals along the lines of fracture, creating a unique and visually captivating effect.
Kintsugi is not only a method of physical repair but also a philosophical approach that values the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and the passage of time. It symbolizes resilience, transformation, and the idea that something broken can be made even more beautiful and valuable through the process of repair. This concept extends beyond pottery and has also become a metaphor for personal growth, acceptance, and the appreciation of life's challenges and experiences.
Today, Kintsugi has gained popularity not only as a traditional craft but also as a symbol of embracing flaws and finding beauty in the imperfect, both in art and in everyday life. It's considered a powerful expression of the Japanese aesthetic principle of wabi-sabi, which values the beauty of impermanence, asymmetry, and simplicity.
I believe that my interpretation and adapted approach, inspired by kintsugi, represent a fitting technique that highlights the imperfections of the woods in the making of my funeral urns. These aspects are typically discarded in conventional woodworking practices. These "imperfections" contribute to making each piece unique and beautiful in its own distinct way. Also, it serves as an allegory for our own journey through life, embracing the experiences that render us unique in both our strengths and vulnerabilities