{"product_id":"24k-gold-kintsugi-arita-sake-cup-cobalt-scatter","title":"24K Gold Kintsugi Arita Sake Cup | Cobalt Scatter","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"container\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.5em; letter-spacing: 0.08em; color: #000; margin-bottom: 6px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3;\"\u003eDiscover the Japanese Art of Kintsugi\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 40px; height: 1px; background-color: rgb(178, 137, 91); margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKintsugi, derived from the Japanese words \"kin\" (gold) and \"tsugi\" (to mend), is the ancient art of restoring broken pottery with natural \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eUrushi \u003c\/em\u003elacquer\u003c\/strong\u003e and enhancing it with powdered metals such as pure gold.\u003cbr\u003eThough often recognized abroad simply as “golden joinery,” kintsugi is in fact one expression within Japan’s broader tradition of \u003cem\u003eurushi\u003c\/em\u003e lacquer arts. \u003cbr\u003eMore than restoration, it is rooted in wabi-sabi—embracing imperfection, resilience, and renewal, while honoring the vessel’s history.\u003cbr\u003eTo truly understand this art, one must first look to its foundation: \u003cem\u003eurushi\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.15em; letter-spacing: 0.06em; color: rgb(178, 137, 91); margin: 36px 0 6px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eWhy Urushi Is the Heart of Kintsugi?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 30px; height: 1px; background-color: rgb(178, 137, 91); margin-bottom: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUrushi lacquer is a natural, sustainable material derived from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0510\/1803\/9485\/files\/Urushi_kaki.jpg?v=1686554147\" title=\"Urushi lacquer for kintsugi, extracted from lacquer trees\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ethe sap of the lacquer tree\u003c\/a\u003e. It has been used for centuries in kintsugi due to its remarkable properties:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrong Adhesion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ensures durable restoration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Protects against leaks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChemical Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Resists acids, alkalis, salts, and alcohols.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThermal Insulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shields against heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAntiseptic Properties:\u003c\/strong\u003e Naturally resists bacteria and fungi.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrong Film Formation:\u003c\/strong\u003e As the urushi lacquer dries, it forms a strong film that makes the restored piece resilient and durable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 1.15em; letter-spacing: 0.06em; color: rgb(178, 137, 91); margin: 36px 0 6px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eThe Kintsugi Process (4-5 Months)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 30px; height: 1px; background-color: rgb(178, 137, 91); margin-bottom: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eApplication:\u003c\/strong\u003e We carefully restore cracks, chips, or broken pieces with urushi lacquer, sometimes mixing with other natural materials for extra strength, depending on the damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLayering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Restored areas are coated with several layers of urushi lacquer, dried, and polished several times to create a strong, smooth base.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(46, 4, 253);\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0510\/1803\/9485\/files\/Authentic-Kintsugi-techniques.pdf?v=1718441210\" title=\"Discover Authentic Kintsugi Techniques\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"color: rgb(46, 4, 253);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLearn more about the fascinating techniques of Kintsugi!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 1.15em; letter-spacing: 0.12em; color: #000; margin: 36px 0 4px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eAbout This Piece\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 40px; height: 1px; background-color: rgb(178, 137, 91); margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"font-size: 1em; color: rgb(178, 137, 91); margin: 0 0 6px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eArita Porcelain in Cobalt and White\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; color: #333; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eArita ware, pioneered in the early 1600s, is considered the first Japanese porcelain. This sake cup features a wide, shallow basin atop a sculptural pedestal. Its delicate form is adorned with sometsuke blue dots scattered across the white porcelain, offering refined elegance with a modern sensibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"font-size: 1em; color: rgb(178, 137, 91); margin: 0 0 6px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eRestored by a National Treasure Conservator\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; color: #333; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eSeisaku Nakajima, certified as a Master of Traditional Crafts by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, restored this sake cup with natural urushi lacquer and 24K gold over four months. His work includes conservation at Saimyō-ji Temple, a National Treasure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"font-size: 1em; color: rgb(178, 137, 91); margin: 0 0 6px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eElevated by Tradition and Fracture\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; color: #333; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eThe footed sake cup is a form rooted in Japan’s formal dining tradition. It is designed to elevate the vessel and the occasion. Gold seams cross the interior where fragments were rejoined; each seam follows the original fracture. This cup could not exist without having been broken.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46542742880445,"sku":"AT0158","price":943.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0510\/1803\/9485\/files\/cup-authentic-kintsugi-ko-imari-24k-gold-food-safe-front-view-sold-out-at0158.png?v=1777008619","url":"https:\/\/kintsugilabo.com\/en-au\/products\/24k-gold-kintsugi-arita-sake-cup-cobalt-scatter","provider":"The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN","version":"1.0","type":"link"}