{"product_id":"24k-gold-kintsugi-ko-imari-cup-seams-through-a-blue-garden","title":"24K Gold Kintsugi Ko-Imari Cup | Seams Through a Blue Garden","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;\"\u003eKo-Imari Sometsuke, Edo Heritage\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; color: #333; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eKo-Imari porcelain is renowned for its sometsuke blue painting and represents the golden age of Japanese export ware, admired across Europe and Asia. This cup features hand-painted floral motifs within geometric borders on a white porcelain body. Its rounded, delicate form is the result of centuries of Arita craftsmanship.\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;\"\u003eForty Years of Urushi, One Cup:\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; color: #333; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eArtisan Seisaku Nakajima has worked with urushi lacquer for over forty years. His work includes conserving Buddhist statues at Saimyo-ji Temple, a designated National Treasure in Shiga. Certified as a Master of Traditional Crafts by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2005, Nakajima spent four months restoring this cup, rejoining each fragment and filling in every chip with natural urushi lacquer before finishing each seam with 24K gold.\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;\"\u003eWhere Export Porcelain Meets Urushi\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; color: #333; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eKo-Imari sometsuke traveled from Arita to collectors across Europe and Asia during the 17th and 18th centuries. The gold seams on this cup connect the export legacy of Ko-Imari sometsuke to urushi lacquer. The history of urushi lacquer protecting Japanese art is far older than the porcelain trade itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46542794784957,"sku":"AT0159","price":1086.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0510\/1803\/9485\/files\/sake-cup-authentic-kintsugi-arita-24k-gold-food-safe-front-view-sold-out-at0159.png?v=1777008519","url":"https:\/\/kintsugilabo.com\/en-au\/products\/24k-gold-kintsugi-ko-imari-cup-seams-through-a-blue-garden","provider":"The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN","version":"1.0","type":"link"}