Ken and Michie - Jun 17  2023

Revolution of Kintsugi:
Exploring Japan's Artistic Past

Ancient Japanese Tea Room

From our previous dive into the origins of Kintsugi, we now embark on a fascinating journey to trace its revolutions through time. Join us as we travel back in time to the golden era of Kintsugi and explore the remarkable revolution and enduring beauty of this timeless art form.

The Last Days of Sen no Rikyu

As described in the first blog, Sen no Rikyu, along with such powerful figures as Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) and especially Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), succeeded in establishing the uniquely Japanese concept of "wabi-sabi" as a response to imported Chinese culture. Toyotomi Hideyoshi is credited with unifying Japan, which had been in a state of civil war since the fall of the Muromachi shogunate. On the other hand, in 1591, Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered Sen no Rikyu, who had been walking with him, to commit seppuku (ritual suicide). There are many theories as to why, but many points remain unclear. What is clear is that Sen no Rikyu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi did not get along. To spread one's sense of beauty to the world, it is essential to have the patronage of the most powerful person. However, it is also true that Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Sen no Rikyu's sense of beauty did not match at all, especially the Golden Tea Room, where Toyotomi Hideyoshi is said to have held tea ceremonies, was incompatible with Sen no Rikyu's sense of beauty.

Restored Goden Tea Room

Photo credit: Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum | Golden Tea Room (Restored one) https://saga-museum.jp/nagoya/exhibition/permanent/golden-tea-room.html

Incidentally, the original Golden Tea Room is said to have been destroyed by fire during the Osaka Summer War (1614-1615), a battle between the Toyotomi side and the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan for a long time after the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and does not exist today. From this point on, we can only speculate, but Sen no Rikyu believed in the spirit of "Ichigo-Ichie," or the idea of treasuring each tea ceremony as a once-in-a-lifetime event, since in the age of war, no one knows if they will ever meet again, and no one can live forever. On the other hand, gold, favored by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, symbolizes eternity because it does not corrode. There is a big difference between the ideals of once-in-a-lifetime and eternity. Sen no Rikyu undoubtedly realized this, and while he cooperated with the highest authorities to make his sense of beauty great, he must also have known that its limits would one day come.

After Sen no Rikyu: The Growing Value of Kintsugi Itself

Sen no Rikyu's position was filled after his death by a man named Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). While a student of Sen no Rikyu, Furuta Oribe left behind many original vessels that were leapt beyond the concept of wabi-sabi. Although Furuta Oribe was not a craftsman himself, he left behind works that he had made by craftsmen in Mino (present-day Gifu Prefecture, Japan) after communicating his intentions to them. These pieces are known as Oribe ware and caused a huge boom in Kyoto at that time. Furuta Oribe was called "hyoge-mono". Hyoge-mono" means "joking person". Based on his own aesthetic sense, Furuta Oribe changed the concept of tea bowls.

Black Oribe Rokuhamon Tea bowl

Photo credit: The Meusium of Furuta Oribe | Black Oribe Rokuhamon Tea bowl | https://www.kyoto-museums.jp/museum/north/1013/

Here is a kintsugi work said to have been made by Furuta Oribe. Since no gold is used, this work is called an "urushi-tsugi" (joined with lacquer) piece. It is said that Furuta Oribe intentionally divided the vessel into cross-shaped pieces to make it smaller, and joined them together with urushi because of its large size and distorted shape. The fact that the bowl was intentionally broken and joined with urushi is a point of great surprise. It is said that Oribe intentionally broke undamaged tea bowls and repaired them with kintsugi, and these bowls most strongly reflect his philosophy. Regardless of the evaluation of the intentional breaking of the bowl, the fact that Furuta Oribe brought new value to the original bowl through kintsugi and considered kintsugi an art form rather than a mere restoration technique was advanced at the time.

Oido Tea Bowl named

Photo credit: Mitsui Memorial Museum | Oido Tea Bowl named "Syumi" | https://www.mitsui-museum.jp/

Later, in the Edo period, the most famous kintsugi works appeared. It is called "Seppou (Snow Peak)" by Koetsu HONAMI. Koetsu HONAMI was a multi-talented artist who worked in Kyoto from the reign of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Azuchi-Momoyama period) to the Edo period (1603-1868), leaving behind a wide variety of works in calligraphy, ceramics, publishing and handicrafts. This red raku tea bowl is slightly thicker overall and has a thick, large fire crack from the rim, which appears to be held inward, to the body and foot. The crack has been repaired by kintsugi, and this part is very noticeable. It is said that Koetsu himself inscribed "Seppou" on this piece by comparing the white glaze that runs down from one rim to the body to white snow falling on a mountain ridge, and the cracks that appeared during firing to a mountain stream of melting snow. Normally, vessels with such cracks in the firing process are considered defective. From the story of how the vessel was revived by kintsugi, which made this vessel unique, this piece can be said to be a direct ancestor of the kintsugi pieces in The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN.

Red Raku Tea Bowl named Seppou

Photo credit: Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art | Important Cultural Properties | Red Raku Tea Bowl named Seppou | https://www.ebara.co.jp/

Kintsugi's Golden Revolution: Tracing the Art Form's Progress Through Time

As described above, kintsugi, which was originally a technique for repairing vessels, has evolved into a craft in its own right.
Kintsugi is a very time-consuming and labor-intensive craft, but at a time when the value of a vessel was considered equal to that of a castle, traces of kintsugi on expensive and valuable vessels can still be seen in many museums today.
As we approach the present day, kintsugi itself is being treated as a philosophy in its own right. In the next Journal we will discuss the philosophy of kintsugi. Please stay tuned!

Own a Piece of Golden History: Shop Kintsugi Now

Front view of a Kyoto ware matcha bowl, its form renewed with 24K gold kintsugi, giving this treasured piece a new story to tell.
Side view of a kintsugi matcha bowl, the 24K gold seam tracing its form, a profound vision of resilience made beautiful.
A close-up of the bowls interior, where the precise golden joinery of the kintsugi repair shines, a story of healing told in pure gold.
A top-down view into a kintsugi matcha bowl, the golden line a quiet testament to finding beauty in imperfection and the art of wabi-sabi.
The base of a Kyoto ware matcha bowl, where the kintsugi repair meets the potters mark, honoring true Japanese craftsmanship.
A Kyoto ware kintsugi matcha bowl resting on a tatami mat, its golden seam glowing, embodying the practice of art as meditation.
A size-reference image of the Kyoto ware kintsugi matcha bowl, its balanced proportions a physical philosophy in form.
Front view of a Kyoto ware matcha bowl, its form renewed with 24K gold kintsugi, giving this treasured piece a new story to tell.
A short film showing the restoration of the kyoto ware green matcha bowl, detailing the meticulous kintsugi process as the art of revival.
Side view of a kintsugi matcha bowl, the 24K gold seam tracing its form, a profound vision of resilience made beautiful.
A 360-degree video of the kintsugi matcha bowl, revealing its complete transformation and embodying rebirth and renewal.
A close-up of the bowls interior, where the precise golden joinery of the kintsugi repair shines, a story of healing told in pure gold.
A top-down view into a kintsugi matcha bowl, the golden line a quiet testament to finding beauty in imperfection and the art of wabi-sabi.
The base of a Kyoto ware matcha bowl, where the kintsugi repair meets the potters mark, honoring true Japanese craftsmanship.
A Kyoto ware kintsugi matcha bowl resting on a tatami mat, its golden seam glowing, embodying the practice of art as meditation.
A size-reference image of the Kyoto ware kintsugi matcha bowl, its balanced proportions a physical philosophy in form.
A Kyoto ware sake cup, where 24k gold Kintsugi and a textured Kawari-nuri Seigaiha wave pattern exist in quiet harmony.
A macro view of the Seigaiha pattern, its layered Kawari-nuri texture a meditation on the rhythm of ocean waves and endless fortune.
A close-up capturing the dialogue between arts: where a 24k gold Kintsugi seam meets the intricate texture of a Kawari-nuri wave pattern.
An intimate view of a pure 24k gold Kintsugi line, its soft luster flowing across the ceramic to inscribe a new chapter in the vessel's life.
Looking down into the vessel, this top-down view shows the beautiful continuation of both the Kintsugi and the Kawari-nuri Seigaiha patterns on the interior, showcasing the artwork's comprehensive beauty.
The foot (koudai) of the vessel, bearing the authenticating mark of the artist or kiln. This view shows the clean finish and the masterful foundation of this complex work of art.
A beautifully restored Kintsugi vessel from Kyoto, resting on a lustrous, thin pewter coaster atop a traditional tatami mat. The scene captures a serene harmony between historic craft and modern elegance.
A precise technical diagram of the Kyoto ware Kintsugi cup, with clear annotations for its exact height, diameter, and weight. This guide ensures a confident purchase by providing the vessel's accurate scale.
A Kyoto ware sake cup, where 24k gold Kintsugi and a textured Kawari-nuri Seigaiha wave pattern exist in quiet harmony.
A mesmerizing time-lapse video revealing the meticulous process of a Japanese lacquer artist, who masterfully combines traditional Kintsugi with ornate decorative techniques to give a fractured vessel a new, brilliant life.
A macro view of the Seigaiha pattern, its layered Kawari-nuri texture a meditation on the rhythm of ocean waves and endless fortune.
A smooth, 360-degree rotational video of the Kintsugi vessel. As it turns, you can follow the continuous flow of the luminous 24k gold lines as they wrap around the entire piece, revealing the artwork in its full three-dimensional form.
A close-up capturing the dialogue between arts: where a 24k gold Kintsugi seam meets the intricate texture of a Kawari-nuri wave pattern.
An intimate view of a pure 24k gold Kintsugi line, its soft luster flowing across the ceramic to inscribe a new chapter in the vessel's life.
Looking down into the vessel, this top-down view shows the beautiful continuation of both the Kintsugi and the Kawari-nuri Seigaiha patterns on the interior, showcasing the artwork's comprehensive beauty.
The foot (koudai) of the vessel, bearing the authenticating mark of the artist or kiln. This view shows the clean finish and the masterful foundation of this complex work of art.
A beautifully restored Kintsugi vessel from Kyoto, resting on a lustrous, thin pewter coaster atop a traditional tatami mat. The scene captures a serene harmony between historic craft and modern elegance.
A precise technical diagram of the Kyoto ware Kintsugi cup, with clear annotations for its exact height, diameter, and weight. This guide ensures a confident purchase by providing the vessel's accurate scale.
Front view of an Early Noritake kintsugi cup and saucer, renewed with 24K gold, giving this vintage set a new story to tell.
Side profile of the Noritake cup, its delicate kintsugi line a profound vision of resilience made beautiful.
A different side view of the Early Noritake cup, its graceful kintsugi mend an act of honoring history and its journey through time.
A top-down view into the Old Noritake kintsugi cup, its golden seam inviting a moment of contemplation with every sip.
The base of the Early Noritake cup, where the kintsugi repair meets the makers mark, honoring authentic Japanese craftsmanship.
An Early Noritake kintsugi saucer on a linen tablecloth, its golden repair shining, a perfect vessel for intentional living.
View of the elegant Noritake saucer, its form complemented by the subtle kintsugi repair, an expression of a quiet beauty.
This complete Early Noritake kintsugi set includes confectionery and tells the story of its history and restoration, making it a treasured heirloom.
A size-reference image of the Old Noritake cup and saucer kintsugi set, its classic and balanced proportions a physical philosophy in form.
Front view of an Early Noritake kintsugi cup and saucer, renewed with 24K gold, giving this vintage set a new story to tell.
A short film showing the restoration of the Noritake set, detailing the meticulous kintsugi process as the art of revival.
Side profile of the Noritake cup, its delicate kintsugi line a profound vision of resilience made beautiful.
A 360-degree video of the kintsugi cup and saucer, revealing its complete transformation and embodying rebirth and renewal.
A different side view of the Early Noritake cup, its graceful kintsugi mend an act of honoring history and its journey through time.
A top-down view into the Old Noritake kintsugi cup, its golden seam inviting a moment of contemplation with every sip.
The base of the Early Noritake cup, where the kintsugi repair meets the makers mark, honoring authentic Japanese craftsmanship.
An Early Noritake kintsugi saucer on a linen tablecloth, its golden repair shining, a perfect vessel for intentional living.
View of the elegant Noritake saucer, its form complemented by the subtle kintsugi repair, an expression of a quiet beauty.
This complete Early Noritake kintsugi set includes confectionery and tells the story of its history and restoration, making it a treasured heirloom.
A size-reference image of the Old Noritake cup and saucer kintsugi set, its classic and balanced proportions a physical philosophy in form.

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