Essence of Kintsugi
Your Guide to Authentic Kintsugi
Discover the Japanese Art of Kintsugi
Kintsugi comes from the Japanese words for gold and to mend, a centuries-old practice of restoring pottery with natural urushi lacquer and precious metal powders. More than a method of restoration, it reflects the wabi-sabi belief that beauty deepens through time and imperfection. This craft sits within the wider world of Japanese lacquer arts and invites you to explore its history, materials, techniques, and the enduring power of urushi.
Kintsugi History
What's the origin of "金継ぎ" Kintsugi?
Kintsugi began as a technique for repairing broken vessels with Urushi (Japanese lacquer).
Traces of restoration have been found on pottery dating back more than about 4,000 years.
The practice of "repairing broken vessels with lacquer and then decorating the damaged parts with gold" is said to have originated in the tea culture of the Muromachi period (1333-1573 A.D.). This is Kintsugi as it is known today.
In the Muromachi period, tea ceremonies were not allowed to be held freely, and only those authorized by the shogun (general) were allowed to hold tea ceremonies. Tea ceremonies were considered a symbol of the shogun's power, and the tea utensils given as rewards by the shogun were expensive enough to buy a castle. As a result, damage to these tea utensils was considered a serious problem at the time, and the technique of repairing them by Kintsugi seems to have developed as a solution.
In China, broken vessels were joined with pins, while in Japan, the development of lacquer techniques led to the development of a unique method of repairing broken vessels with lacquer and gold.
Today, "Kintsugi" has become a global term. We believe that the spirituality and artistry of "Wabi-sabi", which expresses the scratches on vessels as aesthetics without hiding them, has gained sympathy across cultures.
Kintsugi was mentioned in the closing ceremony of the 2021 Paralympic Games and is spreading around the world as a symbol of reconnecting a divided world. The idea of embracing and celebrating imperfection, rather than hiding it, is exactly what we need to do for a sustainable future.
Why Urushi Is the Heart of Kintsugi?
The Versatile Power
Urushi lacquer is a natural, sustainable material derived from the sap of the lacquer tree. It has been used for centuries in kintsugi due to its remarkable properties:
- Strong Adhesion: Ensures durable restoration.
- Water Resistance: Protects against leaks.
- Chemical Resistance: Resists acids, alkalis, salts, and alcohols.
- Thermal Insulation: Shields against heat.
- Antiseptic Properties: Naturally resists bacteria and fungi.
- Strong Film Formation: As the urushi lacquer dries, it forms a strong film that makes the restored piece resilient and durable.
These 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.
Three Essential Urushi Types for Kintsugi
Materials & Tools for Kintsugi
The Finer elements to create beautiful Kintsugi pieces
Metal Powders
Finishing kintsugi with metal powders reveals the vessel’s renewed form. At The Kintsugi Labo JAPAN, we primarily use pure 24K gold, while select works incorporate silver or platinum to harmonize with each piece’s original character. These noble metals add a quiet, luminous presence—heritage luxury expressed with restraint.
Colorful Urushi
When organic pigments are blended into urushi, naturally vivid hues emerge. Some works are completed without metal powders, using traditional iro-tsugi to showcase the lacquer’s depth and purity. Made entirely from natural materials, these finishes remain food-safe while offering a contemporary yet timeless expression of Japanese craftsmanship.
Fine brushes and Wooden spatula
Precision tools shape the elegance of kintsugi. Many of our lacquer artists hand-carve wooden spatulas tailored to each fracture, ensuring a perfectly even foundation for subsequent urushi layers. Fine brushes then apply lacquer in delicate, climate-responsive strokes, creating the seamless, graceful lines that define museum-quality restoration.
How to make Kintsugi
This video will show you how to repair broken Japanese pottery using the authentic and traditional Kintsugi technique using only natural materials.
What makes us unique?
Our Three Distinctives
Urushi Craft Refined Through Time
Restored entirely in Japan, each piece is built through layered natural urushi and hand-polished using time-honored techniques. Our work is led by master lacquer craftsmen, government-certified traditional artisans, and Kyoto City University of Arts–trained lacquer artists—ensuring museum-level precision in every restoration.
Artful Finishes, True to Tradition
From 24K gold to silver, colored urushi, raden, and maki-e, every finish honors the vessel’s original break. These refined techniques are practiced by urushi specialists who create art that reveals renewal and wabi-sabi rather than decoration—quiet expressions shaped by deep lacquer expertise.
Ethical Origins, Food-Safe Craft
We never break vessels for art. Each piece begins as a valued ceramic worth preserving, then is restored safely with natural urushi by trained lacquer professionals. Every finished work is made fully food-safe—combining ethical sourcing, cultural responsibility, and daily usability.
Our Honored Makers & Kilns
Kyoto ware
T.NISHIKAWA & CO., INC.- Ko-Imari ware
EN Co., Ltd. - Nabeshima ware
Ichikawa Kozan