Who We Are
Preserving Japanese Kintsugi Today
On This Page
- Founding Story
- Philosophy
- Milestones
- Hope
- Team
- Business Model
- Publication
- Sustainability
Our Founding Story
Reviving Valuable Japanese Vessels with Kintsugi - "From Discarded to Timeless Beauty"
We have learned that here in Japan, a large number of unsaleable and valuable vessels are discarded due to defects such as cracks or chips during production or accidental drops, or because their owners have passed away and have no place to go.
We launched this business in 2020 with the hope of realizing sustainable art by reviving the time and thoughts of the craftsmen who worked on these vessels using "Kintsugi", the ancient Japanese restoration method with urushi lacquer.
Essentially, Kintsugi is the reuse of a broken vessel after it has been restored by the owner or craftsman, so Kintsugi pieces have not been widely distributed.
We heard from a designer friend of ours that he had been receiving inquiries from people overseas asking where they could purchase Kintsugi pieces in Japan, so we decided to start this online store so that people overseas could pick up Kintsugi pieces created by Japanese lacquer artists using the traditional Kintsugi technique and learn more about the beauty of authentic Japanese Kintsugi.
Our Kintsugi Philosophy
The Ancient Japanese Aesthetic of Taking Care of Things
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese technique of repairing broken or chipped vessels with urushi and decorating the jointed parts with gold or other metal powders.
In other words, Kintsugi embodies the spirit of taking good care of things.
In keeping with such a beautiful spirit of Kintsugi, we NEVER intentionally break brand-new vessels to create Kintsugi pieces, but rather collect and artfully upcycle the valuable vessels that have some flaws in the production process or that have cracks or chips from potters, ceramic wholesalers, or antique shops throughout Japan.
Milestones: Our Kintsugi Journey & Achievements
From the challenge of almost giving up to celebrating success
In the early days of our business, we ventured into pottery and porcelain production areas and antique shops throughout Japan in search of vessels that had been discarded because they were broken. Despite the awareness of waste, concrete action was scarce, and collecting the broken pieces for Kintsugi proved to be a challenge. Many artists were reluctant to share their defective works with the world.
However, our persistence paid off as we gradually found collaborators who shared our Kintsugi philosophy. Through this partnership, we have amassed a collection of over 200 broken pieces.
Our dedication and collaborative spirit culminated in a significant milestone in January 2024, when we proudly sold our 100th commemorative piece, a testament to our journey and growing appreciation for the beauty of imperfection.
Our Kintsugi Hope
Bring Peace to the World through Kintsugi!
By using Kintsugi as a "Vessel of Thought" to reunite people and the world that have been divided and hurt, and by spreading the good old sustainable art of Japan to the world, we hope to realize world peace. We believe Kintsugi has the power to change the world!
The Kintsugi Artwork "KAKEHASHI" donated to a museum in Ecuador to symbolize the friendship between Ecuador and Japan.
Who We Are
Our Kintsugi Team: Artists and Members
Each piece is created by professional urushi lacquer artists whose mastery of this ancient Japanese art brings depth and refinement to both Kintsugi and contemporary lacquer art.
Urushi Lacquer Artists
Nobuyasu SUGINAKA
Nobuyasu Suginaka, born in 1964 in Shiga Prefecture near Kyoto, is a highly accomplished lacquer craftsman with over 40 years of experience in the intricate art of lacquering and restoring Buddhist altars in Nagahama City.
Specializing in traditional techniques such as haku-oshi and roiro, widely regarded as the pinnacle of lacquer technique, he brings unmatched skill and precision to his work. As a master of urushi lacquer, he has developed an unparalleled understanding of this extraordinary medium, expertly restoring even severely damaged vessels and transforming them into timeless works of art.
In addition to his dedication to authentic kintsugi technique, he incorporates decorative lacquer techniques such as nashiji into his kintsugi creations, giving each piece a distinctive artistic flair that reflects his decades of expertise. Passionate about sharing the wonders of urushi lacquer with a global audience, he has been an integral part of The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN since its inception, working to introduce the philosophy and beauty of kintsugi to customers around the world.In addition to his kintsugi work, he creates unique lacquerware that embodies the transformative qualities of urushi lacquer. His Samon-nuri series, inspired by the waves of Lake Biwa, features a textured, dynamic finish, while his popular Bamboo series features a radiant, transparent sheen achieved through multiple layers of lacquer and meticulous polishing. Each piece he creates tells a story of heritage, artistry and renewal, captivating collectors and art lovers alike with its blend of tradition and innovation.
His work represents the heart of Japanese lacquer art, making each Kintsugi piece not just an object, but a celebration of the resilience, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance of urushi lacquer.
Collection:
CIDAP (Centro Interamericano de Artes Populares), Cuenca, Ecuador Exhibit: 2023 KAKEHASHI, a Kintsugi artwork to symbolize the friendship between Ecuador and Japan.
Keiko HATA
Born in Boston, USA, and raised in the Kansai region of Japan, Keiko Hata graduated from the Kyoto City University of Arts with a specialization in Urushi Lacquering in 2012. She went on to complete her Master’s Degree in the same field at the university’s Graduate School of Arts in 2014.
Her work captures fleeting moments — landscapes glimpsed and gone, starry skies, and the quiet vastness of the cosmos — rendered through the techniques of kawari-nuri and raden inlay in urushi lacquer.
Rooted in a deep reverence for the generations of artisans who have preserved these techniques, she sees her practice as both a continuation of that lineage and a personal exploration of the medium’s expressive potential.
Her background in urushi lacquer restoration, including the conservation of Buddhist statues, has deepened her understanding of lacquer’s limitless possibilities — not only as a material for preservation, but as a medium for creating timeless works of art.
In her kintsugi pieces, she incorporates decorative lacquer techniques that give each restored vessel a distinctive artistic character only a trained urushi lacquer artist can achieve.
Through her work, she hopes to offer a sense of gentle connection and quiet renewal — transforming broken pottery into one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate the beauty of urushi lacquer as a living art form.
Selected Exhibitions:
"Kyoto-jin × Next Generation Artists 2026", Kyoto Prefectural Center for Arts and Culture, Kyoto (2026)
"KOBE ART MARCHÉ 2025", Kobe Meriken Park Oriental, Hyogo (2025)
"ART OSAKA 2025", Osaka Central Public Hall, Osaka (2025)"
Forms of Craft Now Vol.5", AMPLITUDE KYOTO Gallery, Kyoto (2025)
"Keiko Hata Urushi Exhibition — Kiseki no Kiseki", NoteGallery, Osaka (2024)
"Urushi VOICE Exhibition", Kyoto Pulse Plaza, Kyoto (2024)
"Ōsara Kozara Exhibition", Rakukukan Gion Konishi, Kyoto (2024)
"Hirakata Artists Exhibition vol. 2", Hirashin Art Gallery, Osaka (2023)
"Art Sprout vol.1: Keiko Hata Exhibition — The Quiet Power of Lacquer", Gallery Apron, Osaka (2018)
"Kyoten", Kyoto City Museum of Art, Kyoto (2013) — Selected
Awards:
Kyoto City University of Arts Alumni Association Prize (2012)
Excellence Award at the 2nd Offering to the Gods (2010)
Maki MIZUNO
Maki Mizuno, born in Shiga Prefecture, graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Crafts at Kyoto City University of Arts in 2017, with a specialization in urushi lacquer. Her work blends traditional Japanese craftsmanship with a contemporary artistic sensibility, resulting in pieces that are both timeless and quietly expressive.
Her creative practice ranges from delicate watercolors inspired by the natural beauty of Japan to formative artworks using urushi lacquer and the traditional lacquer techniques such as raden inlay. Drawing on her painting background, she brings a refined visual harmony to her kintsugi creations, treating each restored vessel not simply as a restored object, but as a work of art in its own right - rich in feeling and depth.
Her signature lies in the interplay of vibrant colors and the deep black of urushi lacquer, creating powerful contrasts that do more than captivate the eye - they quietly challenge the viewer to pause, reflect, and engage on a deeper level.
Through her work, she continues to encourage introspection, inviting each person to reconsider their everyday emotions, perceptions, and the subtle beauty found in the passage of time. Each piece becomes a silent dialogue between tradition and the present, the artist and the viewer.
A tribute to heritage and an expression of modern artistry, Maki Mizuno's work reveals the enduring potential of Japanese lacquer art in today's world.
Awards:
Highest Honors – Shiga Prefectural Art Association President’s Award & Shiga Association of Formative Arts Groups Encouragement Award, Shiga Museum of Art (2024)
Highest Honors – Shiga Prefectural Art Association President’s Award & Shiga Association of Formative Arts Groups Encouragement Award, Shiga Museum of Art (2023)
Seisaku NAKAJIMA
Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1956, Seisaku Nakajima has devoted his life to the creation and restoration of ceramics and lacquerware in the historic castle town of Hikone. His artistic journey began in 1978 under the guidance of Shinsui Ichino, a master of Tachikui ware in Hyogo Prefecture. In 1981, he formally entered the world of urushi lacquer by apprenticing with his father, a specialist in Hikone-style Buddhist altar lacquering.
In February 2005, Nakajima was nationally certified as a Master of Traditional Crafts in urushi lacquering. Rooted in time-honored Japanese techniques, his work bridges past and present—honoring tradition while embracing forms that speak to contemporary life. Beyond creation, he has made lasting contributions to cultural heritage preservation, applying his urushi expertise to restore sacred and historical artifacts.
Through his practice of kintsugi, Nakajima approaches each restored piece not as a return to wholeness, but as a transformation. Fractures become sites of revelation, where damage gives way to quiet beauty. Gold-filled seams and layers of polished lacquer invite reflection on impermanence, grace, and the profound artistry found in restoration.
Selected Exhibitions:
TOKYO Designers Week 2010, Tokyo, Japan — Contributed a prototype finished with colored urushi lacquer
Ceramist Five-Person Exhibition, Art Gallery Tamba, Hyogo, Japan (2009)
Selected Achievements & Preservation Work:
Restoration of the standing statue of Yakushi Nyorai, a hidden Buddhist icon customarily enshrined within the zushi at Saimyō-ji Temple, Shiga (September 2022)
Restoration of a lacquered miniature shrine (zushi) housing the principal Buddhist icon at Saimyō-ji Temple (National Treasure), Shiga (September 2021)
Restoration of the pedestal for a Buddhist statue at the Three-Story Pagoda (National Treasure), Saimyō-ji Temple, Shiga (2010–2011)
Certified as a Master of Traditional Crafts by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, specializing in Hikone-style Buddhist altar lacquering (2005)
Rio HASHIMOTO
Born in Shiga, Japan, in 1998, currently based in Kyoto. She graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Crafts, with a specialization in Urushi Lacquering, and completed her Master's degree in the same field at the university's Graduate School of Fine Arts in 2025.
Her practice spans from urushi lacquer sculptures to video installations, exploring the tension between "order" — the aesthetic standards cultivated within Japanese lacquer craft — and the elements that deviate from it. By deliberately allowing these opposing forces to coexist within a single work, she uses lacquer as a means to probe the boundaries of empathy and rejection in human perception.
At the core of her philosophy lies a strong emphasis on the creative process itself, rather than on the finished artwork. By making this process visible, she opens a space for viewers to actively examine what beauty is — and to reconsider the cultural and social values embedded in traditional frameworks.
This philosophy aligns naturally with the spirit of kintsugi. Rather than concealing imperfections, she brings them to the forefront — embracing cracks and flaws as opportunities for transformation and new meaning. Through restoring broken ceramics using traditional methods, she offers more than restoration; she expands the potential of urushi lacquer as both material and medium for artistic expression.
With her deeply reflective and conceptual approach to creation, she invites us to reconsider our relationship with beauty, imperfection, and renewal within a contemporary context.
Selected Exhibitions:
"1/X" (Solo Exhibition), KUNST ARZT, Kyoto (2026)
"Jōgon-in International Art Festival 2025", Jōgon-in Temple, Shiga (2025)
"A-LAB Artist Gate '25", A-LAB, Hyogo (2025)
"Open Studio at Studio Tsukimisou", Studio Tsukimisou, Kyoto (2025)
"Urushi Nanairo Market", Kintetsu Department Store Kusatsu, Shiga (2023)
"Kaminari Gijūka Exhibition", Art Gallery Picaresque, Tokyo (2022)
"Kyoto Student Art Auction", Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art, Kyoto (2022)
"Watashi no Polaris", Gallery Ann, Kyoto (2021)
Awards:
Alumni Association Prize, Kyoto City University of Arts Exhibition (2025)
Encouragement Prize, Kyoto City University of Arts Exhibition (2022)
The Heikan Prize, Kyoto City University of Arts Exhibition (2021)
Prize for Excellence, 42nd International TAKIFUJI Art Award (2021)
Founders & Curators of Japanese Kintsugi
Ken and Michie
from Isono Revitalizing Office, LLC.
Isono Revitalizing Office LLC is a Japanese management consulting firm dedicated to supporting the arts and traditional crafts. Founded by Ken and Michie Isono, a passionate couple who also operate The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN, the company aims to revitalize local communities and businesses.
Our journey into the world of Kintsugi began when we met with Mr. Suginaka to provide business consulting services. Captivated by the artistry and profound philosophy of kintsugi and urushi lacquer, we immersed ourselves in this timeless craft. Ken is now deepening his knowledge of urushi lacquer at the Kyoto City University of Arts, while we are also actively involved in creating kintsugi pieces to expand the global market for this extraordinary art form.
We understand the challenges artists face in building an international business, from language barriers to branding, trade and logistics. That's why we are committed to being a bridge and sharing the beauty of urushi lacquer and kintsugi with the world.
Join us on this journey to connect with others and explore the refined elegance of kintsugi and urushi lacquer. Celebrating renewal and enduring beauty, urushi lacquer is known for its timeless appeal and is said to last over 1,000 years. Experience the enchantment of the Japanese lacquer art form!
Kintsugi Advisor
Yosuke INUI
Mr. Yosuke Inui is a designer with extensive expertise in branding for the arts and crafts industry. He supports The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN by designing our brand logo and store cards, while also providing valuable insight into Kintsugi.
Through his global connections, he learned that many people overseas were looking for places to purchase authentic Kintsugi in Japan. Recognizing this growing demand, he encouraged us to start this business and help bridge traditional Japanese craftsmanship with a global audience. His continued support continues to shape our brand and mission to share the beauty of kintsugi and urushi lacquer with the world.
Our Business Model
Publication/Workshop
News -Kintsugi Month At Pantechnicon
Released on Sep 21st, 2022
Featured on the website of the Embassy of Japan in the UK
Released on Aug 29th, 2022
An online lecture and demonstration about Kintsugi at the event themed ceramics #Ardis2022
Hold on Apr 8, 2022 (Japan time)
Cracks of gold: How the Japanese art of Kintsugi repairs broken vessels
Published on Jan 17, 2022
Sustainable Kintsugi
Learn our Eco-Kintsugi
Operated by
Isono Revitalizing Office LLC.
- #202, Nojiri 521, Ritto City, Shiga, JAPAN 520-3027
- info@isono-revitalizing-office.jp
- ©2025 The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN All Rights Reserved.