What is
Could the Japanese art of pottery repair help us to embrace our imperfections, and celebrate them as things of beauty? Writing | Bonnie Evie Gifford Illustrating | Rosan Magar
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ew of us like to admit it, but we are less than perfect. No one can embody perfection at all times, no matter how hard they try. All too often we hide our mistakes, our struggles, our broken parts, doing our best to present only the best bits to the world at large. Yet it’s those unexpected turns, hard life lessons, and the journey we go on to become who we are that makes us – flaws and all. Without our hardships, we wouldn’t be who we are today. Shouldn’t we, then, embrace these imperfections for what they are? Discovering more about the Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery could help us learn more about this mindset.
ORIGINS
Using precious metals to give something broken or damaged new life is what the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics focuses on, and is thought to date back to the 14th century. Instead of trying to hide the flaw or break, kintsugi turns that damage into a thing of beauty – something that can be celebrated and appreciated in its own right. Items that would
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once have been discarded can not only have a new lease of life, but are displayed with pride, and appreciated for their unique, one-ofa-kind beauty. Linked by many with the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi (celebrating imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness), kintsugi is seen by some as a physical manifestation of
this ideology. While nothing lasts forever, with a little extra attention and care, even the most delicate and damaged things can be repaired, and made into something more beautiful and precious than before.
TURNING FLAWS INTO THINGS OF BEAUTY
If chipped, cracked, or flawed pottery can be appreciated for its history and uniqueness, why can’t we do the same with ourselves? If someone can take the time to repair beloved, delicate pottery, so too can we ‘repair’ ourselves – with enough time, self-care, reflection, and selfcompassion. Each of our experiences have in some way affected us, and helped to make us stronger. It’s time for us to acknowledge the chips and cracks in ourselves. By acknowledging the events that have impacted us, we can begin moving forwards – now
Kintsugi, or kintsukuroi, literally means golden repair; the art of using liquid gold, silver, or lacquer dusted with gold powder to repair broken pottery and enhance the breaks.
