Kintsugi as a Gateway to Urushi: Our Approach for 2026

A Growing Circle of Urushi Lacquer Artists

Over the past year, four urushi lacquer artists have joined The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN, quietly expanding the range of voices and possibilities within our studio. Among them are Kyoto City University of Arts graduates who specialized in urushi lacquer, as well as a nationally certified master of traditional lacquer craftsmanship. Their expertise enables us to transcend conventional restoration by creating artistically adorned kintsugi pieces that can only be made here.

Where Restoration Meets Artistic Sensibility

These pieces unite traditional kintsugi with refined urushi decoration, incorporating subtle maki-e details, layered lacquer expression, and painterly restraint. Rather than overpowering the vessel, such adornment enhances its original atmosphere, deepens the presence of past damage, and transforms the scars into a more expressive landscape.

Four urushi lacquer artists expanding the possibilities of kintsugi at our studio

This is not decoration for embellishment's sake. It is kintsugi guided by lacquer artists, where restoration and artistic sensibility coexist. As we enter 2026, the dialogue between traditional restoration and urushi artistry continues to evolve. Alongside classic kintsugi pieces, we invite you to discover these unique artistic kintsugi works, where each vessel's history and character are brought into sharper focus through lacquer.

A Mark of Trust: Renewing Our Certificate Seal

Last year, we commissioned Kouko Saito, a Japanese calligrapher and third-generation seal engraver from Shiga, to design a new seal for our certificates of authenticity. He trained for six years in Osaka and was awarded the Gold Prize at the 2001 National Skills Grand Prix. His work bridges traditional hanko engraving and calligraphic expression. His seals embody quiet authority, lineage, and care.

Kouko Saito hand-carving our new certificate seal — @koukoan

Each certificate and paulownia box bears the hand-carved seal of authenticity

Though modest in appearance, the seal carries great responsibility. Exclusively designed for our atelier, it is pressed onto each certificate of authenticity and, more discreetly, onto the inside of the paulownia box lid. The seal serves as a subtle mark of authorship and care, connecting each piece to its creator, the philosophy that guided its restoration, and the hands that shaped it. This renewal reflects our belief that even the smallest details deserve intention — because true trust is often formed in such details.

An Exchange Beyond Borders

Welcoming a kintsugi apprentice from London to our urushi studio

Last year, we welcomed a kintsugi apprentice from London to Mr. Suginaka's lacquering studio for a short time. Although brief, our time together was guided by a desire to share the traditional kintsugi techniques and a deeper understanding of urushi lacquer, including its patience, discipline, and quiet strength.

We hoped this knowledge would live on beyond Japan. Seeing these values resonate across cultures reminded us that true transmission is about dialogue and trust, not imitation. Encounters like this continue to shape our perception of our role as makers and careful stewards of a living tradition.

Looking Ahead — Kintsugi, and Beyond

Continuing Kintsugi Practice

Kintsugi remains at the heart of our work. Currently, we are carefully restoring over 50 vessels, some of which are still in progress, using urushi lacquer and precious metals such as 24K gold. Each piece has its own history, and we look forward to sharing these renewed works with you as they find their next life.

Over 50 vessels in various stages of kintsugi restoration at our studio

Introducing Contemporary Urushi Art

In addition to kintsugi pieces, we plan to start offering contemporary urushi artwork this year. These pieces highlight the characteristics of urushi lacquer, showcasing it not only as a restoration technique, but also as an artistic medium. Surface, depth, and silence are expressed through the urushi lacquer itself. Through kintsugi and beyond, we hope to provide a clearer view of the broader Japanese urushi lacquer art landscape.

Lacquer artwork by Keiko Hata

The year ahead calls for attentiveness rather than haste. While kintsugi remains central to our practice, it also paves the way for a deeper understanding of urushi artistry. In 2026, we will redesign our website to make it more accessible, guiding those new to kintsugi toward a deeper appreciation of the expressive potential of urushi lacquer.