{"product_id":"24k-gold-kintsugi-kyoto-tea-cup-seams-across-the-lattice","title":"24K Gold Kintsugi Kyoto Tea cup | Seams Across the Lattice","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;\"\u003eHori-Mishima Carving, Kyoto Tradition\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; color: #333; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eGenerations of tea masters have shaped Kyoto ware, and it meets hori-mishima here. Diamond lattice and floral motifs are incised into the earthenware and filled with contrasting slip. It features a warm brown and cream color scheme and a robust, rounded form that is grounded by an unglazed terracotta foot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 8px 0 0 0;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(178, 137, 91);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorn of Kyoto’s Heritage: \u003c\/strong\u003eThis piece too is authentic Kyo-yaki pottery, handcrafted using time-honored techniques and refined by centuries of Japanese artistry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(178, 137, 91);\"\u003eLearn more → \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Discover the Art and Heritage of Kyoto Ware Pottery\" href=\"https:\/\/www.t-nishikawa.co.jp\/en\/story\/p.php?id=5\" style=\"color: rgb(178, 137, 91);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eThe Art and Technique of Kyoto Ware\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\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;\"\u003eA Certified Master's Dual-Metal Restoration\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; color: #333; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eThis cup was restored by Certified Master of Traditional Crafts Seisaku Nakajima over the course of four months using natural urushi lacquer and 24K gold. Pure silver appears only along a few faint hairline cracks, providing a subtle counterpoint to the gold adorning the larger seams. Nakajima's 40 years of lacquer experience include conserving Buddhist statues at a National Treasure temple in Shiga.\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;\"\u003eKorean Roots in Kyoto Clay\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; color: #333; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003eHori-mishima traces its lineage to Korean ceramic techniques that traveled to Kyoto centuries ago. On this cup, incised patterns sit beneath gold seams — two craft traditions converging. Urushi lacquer bonds each fragment and will continue to harden for decades. The gold crowns this foundation, transforming restoration into adornment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46539744149693,"sku":"AT0157","price":986.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0510\/1803\/9485\/files\/cup-authentic-kintsugi-kyoto-24k-gold-food-safe-front-view-sold-out-at0157.png?v=1777008476","url":"https:\/\/kintsugilabo.com\/en-au\/products\/24k-gold-kintsugi-kyoto-tea-cup-seams-across-the-lattice","provider":"The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN","version":"1.0","type":"link"}