24K Gold Kintsugi Arita Ware Sake Cup | Reverie in Cobalt Porcelain

Ref. AT0129

$580.00 USD

One of a Kind

Food Safe

Certified Authentic

Restored by Keiko Hata

Hand-restored in Japan with traditional kintsugi techniques using natural urushi lacquer.

See more works by Keiko Hata →

Discover the Japanese Art of Kintsugi

Kintsugi, derived from the Japanese words "kin" (gold) and "tsugi" (to mend), is the ancient art of restoring broken pottery with natural Urushi lacquer and enhancing it with powdered metals such as pure gold.
Though often recognized abroad simply as “golden joinery,” kintsugi is in fact one expression within Japan’s broader tradition of urushi lacquer arts. 
More than restoration, it is rooted in wabi-sabi—embracing imperfection, resilience, and renewal, while honoring the vessel’s history.
To truly understand this art, one must first look to its foundation: urushi lacquer, a natural and sustainable material remarkable for its strength and versatility. For centuries, this living medium has been used to create Japan’s distinctive artistry.

🌳 Why Urushi Is the Heart of Kintsugi?

Urushi lacquer is a natural, sustainable material derived from the sap of the lacquer tree. It has been used for centuries in kintsugi due to its remarkable properties:

  • Strong Adhesion: Ensures durable restoration.
  • Water Resistance: Protects against leaks.
  • Chemical Resistance: Resists acids, alkalis, salts, and alcohols.
  • Thermal Insulation: Shields against heat.
  • Antiseptic Properties: Naturally resists bacteria and fungi.
  • Strong Film Formation: As the urushi lacquer dries, it forms a strong film that makes the restored piece resilient and durable.

These versatile properties make urushi lacquer perfect for kintsugi, creating strong, beautiful and durable restorations that honor the history of the original piece and become cherished heirlooms. In addition, urushi lacquer is a sustainable material that is naturally sourced and promotes eco-friendly craftsmanship that respects both tradition and the environment.

🖌️ The Kintsugi Process (4-5 Months)

  1. Application: We carefully restore cracks, chips, or broken pieces with urushi lacquer, sometimes mixing with other natural materials for extra strength, depending on the damage.
  2. Layering: Restored areas are coated with several layers of urushi lacquer, dried, and polished several times to create a strong, smooth base.
  3. Decoration: Finally, we decorate the piece with metal powder. While pure gold is commonly used, we also use pure silver ("Gintsugi") and colored urushi lacquer ("Iro-urushitsugi") to match the original design.

Learn more about the fascinating techniques of Kintsugi!

🌟 The Essence of This Kintsugi Creation

  • The Texture of Arita Porcelain: This high-stemmed sakazuki is an example of Arita ware, Japan’s first fine porcelain. Its refined, crackled glaze embodies centuries of artistry and resilience.
  • Honoring the Inevitable: Restored with urushi lacquer and finished with 24K gold, the vessel’s fractured form now shines against its cobalt-blue body, transformed into lasting beauty.
  • A Tangible Philosophy: Reborn as a kintsugi sake cup, it invites reflection on renewal and quiet luxury, uniting history, imperfection, and Japanese craftsmanship.

About vessel:

  • Type: Porcelain
  • Origin: Arita ware

Materials used:

  • Natural urushi lacquer
  • 24K gold powder

Production time (in months): 4

Care & Food Safety

    • After use, wash the pieces using a soft sponge and foodsafe detergent.
    • Rinse them in lukewarm or cool water and completely dry them using a soft dish cloth.
    • Do not soak them in hot or cold water for long periods of time. This may cause the urushi or maki-e lacquer to peel or fracture.
    • The urushi (Japanese lacquer) may break or the maki-e lacquer decoration may peel off if the piece is dropped or if it collides with other hard objects. Please handle these pieces carefully.
    • Do not place these pieces in the microwave or dishwasher.

Safe for Everyday Use:
Restored with natural, non-toxic materials, our Kintsugi piece is safe for everyday use - no worries about leaks or harmful chemicals.

📦 Inside the Box

A traditional paulownia wood box (except for some flatware), with a Store Card, Care Instructions, and Certificate of Authenticity & Quality.

📱 See our packing on Instagram — @kintsugilabo

🚚 Worldwide Delivery
  • Ships in 2–3 business days via DHL Express (international, tracked) or Japan Post (domestic). Estimated transit to USA, UK, Canada, and Australia: 1–2 weeks, subject to local customs.
  • We ship to USA, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland, Brazil, Spain, and Japan. Contact us for other destinations.
  • DHL does not deliver to PO Boxes.
  • View 2026 Japan Shipping Holidays →

🛃 Duties & Taxes (DAP)

Our prices do not include import duties or taxes — these are set by your country's customs and are the buyer's responsibility. DHL will email you a secure payment link before delivery; once paid, your order is cleared and delivered.

  • 🇺🇸 U.S. customers: a 10% import duty applies (effective February 24, 2026, subject to U.S. policy).
  • 🎁 Gift orders: Duty notifications go to you (the buyer), not the recipient. If unpaid by the deadline, DHL may contact the recipient directly.
  • ⚠️ Unpaid duties may delay delivery or return the package; return shipping may be deducted from refunds.

Full Shipping & Customs Policy→

Gift-Ready Presentation
Paulownia Wood Box
Traditional paulownia wood gift box hand-stamped with The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN seal, made in Japan
Hand-stamped paulownia wood box, crafted in Japan — gift-ready.
Gift Message Card
Complimentary luxury gift message card enclosed with each kintsugi piece, front and reverse design
Add a personal note at checkout — enclosed inside the gift box.
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✈︎ Complimentary Worldwide Shipping
  • Shipped worldwide from Japan via DHL Express.
  • All prices are before duties and taxes.
  • U.S. Orders — Approximately 10% duty (subject to U.S. policy), billed by DHL before delivery.
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$580.00 USD

The Craft Behind the Beauty

Understanding the Art of Kintsugi

Urushi artist applying 24K gold powder by hand to the kintsugi seam of a sometsuke (blue-and-white) porcelain piece — The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN

Kintsugi (金継ぎ) — from kin (gold) and tsugi (to mend) — is the Japanese art of restoring broken pottery with natural urushi lacquer, adorned with powdered gold, silver, or colored urushi.

Though it's often called "golden joinery" in the West, the visible gold is only the finish — every kintsugi restoration is, fundamentally, an urushi lacquer technique. In Japan, kintsugi is understood as one expression within a broader tradition of urushi arts spanning thousands of years.

Rooted in wabi-sabi, it embraces imperfection and renewal — honoring a vessel's history rather than concealing it.

Read the full story on our Essence page

Urushi (漆) is natural sap harvested from the lacquer tree, used in Japanese craft for over 5,500 years. In kintsugi, urushi is the actual material that mends, fills, and seals every fracture — the gold or silver powder is decoration applied over it.

As urushi cures, it forms a remarkably strong film with properties no synthetic adhesive can replicate:

  • Strong adhesion — ensures durable restoration
  • Water resistance — protects against leaks
  • Chemical resistance — withstands acids, alkalis, salts, and alcohols
  • Thermal insulation — shields against heat
  • Natural antiseptic — resists bacteria and fungi

These qualities make every urushi-restored piece food-safe, leak-proof, and suited for daily use — not only display. As a renewable, biodegradable material, urushi also reflects the sustainable spirit of traditional Japanese craft.

Authentic kintsugi takes 4–5 months per piece, never shortened by synthetic substitutes. The process unfolds in three stages:

  1. Mending — Cracks, chips, or fractures are filled with urushi lacquer, blended with other natural materials when extra strength is needed.
  2. Layering — Restored areas are coated, dried, and polished across multiple cycles to build a smooth, durable base.
  3. Finishing — Metal powder is applied: pure gold most often, sometimes silver (gintsugi) or colored urushi (iro-urushitsugi), chosen to honor the original vessel.

Learn more about the kintsugi techniques

Kintsugi Is More Than Gold

Kintsugi is not defined by gold alone. The essence of the craft lies in the restoration process using natural urushi lacquer. Gold, silver, and colored urushi lacquers are simply different traditional finishes, each chosen to complement the vessel's character. All are authentic expressions of kintsugi.

Finish on This Piece: Kintsugi

Three kintsugi finishes — gold (kintsugi), silver (gintsugi), and colored urushi (iro-urushitsugi)
Style Finishing Material Aesthetic & Philosophy
Kintsugi
金継ぎ
Pure 24K gold powder The classic finish — warm, luxurious, and rooted in history.
Gintsugi
銀継ぎ
Fine silver powder A cooler, contemporary register — serene and modern in feel.
Iro-Urushitsugi
色漆継ぎ
Colored urushi An expressive choice — vivid pigment harmonizing with the vessel's character.
Certificate of Authenticity for an authentic Kintsugi artwork, printed on traditional Japanese washi paper with our original artisan seal, certifying handcrafted urushi lacquer restoration made in Japan.

Verified Authentic

A Certificate of Authenticity with Every Piece

Every kintsugi piece comes with a Certificate of Authenticity & Quality — verifying its Japanese origin, natural urushi materials, and traditional craftsmanship.

Printed on Japanese washi paper (a craft refined over 1,300 years) and stamped with our original brand seal, the certificate is itself a small work of Japanese art.

Cherish it alongside your one-of-a-kind piece.

What Our Collectors Say

Verified Kintsugi Reviews from Around the World

Thoughtfully Crafted with Sustainability in Every step

The Philosophy Behind Our Kintsugi

Traditional Craftsmanship

Restored with authentic urushi methods and natural materials, completely free from synthetic additives.

Thoughtful Sourcing

Each piece begins as a genuinely broken Japanese ceramic sourced from our trusted partners.

Premium Packaging

Elegantly protected in a sustainable paulownia box and delivered with carbon-neutral transit.