To understand the meaning of Kintsugi we go back to the end of the 15th century, when a general of the Japanese army sent some cups to be repaired and they came back repaired, but with a horrible finish.
It was then when they decided to send these cups to Japanese craftsmen to fix what the previous craftsmen had done, challenging them to find a technique that would perfectly join the parts of the cup, and then, they carried out the well-known repair or gold carpentry that consisted of using a kind of gold varnish with a better and more durable finish.
This technique is known as Kintsugi, and relates the spiritual to the decoration. In the following, as experts in modern bar decoration and design, we will talk in more detail about this famous technique that can be found today in a multitude of objects.
Meaning of Kintsukuroi
Kintsugi or also known as Kintsukuroi, which means golden scar, is a very famous Japanese technique for repairing ceramic objects. In this technique, gold lacquer is used to join the damaged parts, leaving the object not only repaired, but also in its best version.
Like many other Japanese decoration techniques such as hygge or wabi-sabi, kintsugi has its own history.
Kintsukuroi has been related to the art of healing emotional wounds and became a trend thanks to a book written by Tomás Navarro, which seeks to convince us that our problems do not have to mean weakness, but rather that they should make us stronger to face them and overcome them.
The drying stage is the most important for the recomposition of the object as it is the one that will determine its solidity and durability.
We can consider this process of resilience, that is, it helps us to accept ourselves as we are, despite the countless defects we have. If we always see the positive side of ourselves, we can rebuild ourselves from the ashes.
How to carry out Kintsugi
Carrying out the kintsugi technique is easier than it may seem. To do this, it is important to have materials such as resin, mica powder, acrylic paint, jewellery chain, a wooden stick and of course the damaged ceramic.
Once we have all these materials, we add the resin, together with the powders in the colour we want and if we want to give an antique effect, we add the acrylic paint. We can also add other elements such as jewellery to embellish the object, this is left to your taste and creativity.
One of the ways to apply kintsugi at home is to take those old pieces and give them a second use, you can even repair those elements that are damaged or that look very old. The idea is to apply this repair to each of the pieces to give a different decorative style to your home. Don’t forget to give an extra creativity to these creations, as they don’t necessarily have to have the same appearance as before, but you can give them a different tone by combining them with the rest of the main elements.
source: flickr
On which objects can we apply this technique
The kintsugi technique can be applied in different ceramic objects for the home, such as vases, plates, bowls, cups, teapots, jewelry boxes, pots, and many more objects that we find in different areas of the house, both kitchen and bedrooms, living room, terrace, etc..
This technique is related to wabi-sabi, which means the passage of time and its deterioration, so, relating it to the decoration, if we are vintage lovers and we like the old decoration, and we want to keep the objects in good condition, we will use the kintsugi technique to fix them.
And is that this technique of Kintsukuroi applies several Japanese sayings that mean that no one is perfect in the world or that when you are broken another beauty emerges.
We hope that this technique widely used as a decorative trend has instructed you both visually and spiritually.
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