Connecting The Dots Project
Kintsugi
Look at these gorgeous potteries!! Can you believe these are repaired bowls once broken into pieces?
Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery, involves using lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. It is aptly translated as "golden joinery" or "to join with gold." The philosophy behind kintsugi is to treat breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise or dispose of. The idea is that by embracing flaws and imperfections and giving them a new life, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art.
Traditionally, kintsugi uses urushi lacquer and rice flour to bind the ceramics together. However, nowadays, it become more popular to utilize more readily available materials such as clear epoxy resin or other ceramic adhesives to reduce costs and time and increase durability. In fact, I actually found a Kintsugi repair set with epoxy on Amazon. However, I cannot guarantee if that was authentic Kintsugi while it appears to offer a similar finish or appearance. Urushi is an indigenous lacquer plant that grows in Japan and is highly toxic while it is not cured.
I also thought you ought to know their maintenance as they require gentle handling. But no need to worry, the cautionary is not more than a fine set of porcelains or glasses would require.
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Maintenance:
- For the traditional kintsugi with lacquer, it is recommended to let it be cured for several months after the repair is complete before gradually resuming use. Epoxy has a much faster healing time.
- Do not microwave kintsugi-treated potteries or glasses
- Avoid Dishwashers and Drying Machines
- Avoid Stacking Dishes
- Avoid long storage in cold. When storing food in kintsugi pottery in the refrigerator, differences in drying rates between the joined sections may occur. This discrepancy could lead to cracks. While short-term storage is generally acceptable, avoid extended periods in the refrigerator.
- To prevent the metal powder on the repaired areas from detaching, wash the pottery gently. While using mild detergent is acceptable, avoid using abrasive cleaners, scrub brushes, or any harsh materials that could damage the pottery. After washing, pat dry with a soft cloth and let it air dry thoroughly.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight. Lacquer is sensitive to UV rays and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
- Avoid prolonged water immersion as it may cause delamination between the original pottery and repaired sections. When used for meals, rinse and wipe promptly with kitchen paper before it dries.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LMKGte0UU
Photo source: https://tokishuri-hikaku.info/column/kintsugishuri/
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