KINTSUGI

Discover the Art of Kintsugi: Embrace Imperfection – Create Beauty

Join our hands-on Kintsugi classes and experience the traditional Japanese art of mending broken pottery using lacquer and gold, sometimes silver or platinum.  Learn how to restore your much loved piece while embracing the philosophy that beauty can be found in the imperfections.

In these classes, you will:

• Repair broken pottery using lacquer and powdered gold
• Reinforce cracks and rebuild chipped areas
• Work with a variety of repair materials
• Try a variety of traditional kintsugi techniques

Kintsugi using natural urushi lacquer can take anywhere from three to six months, and in some cases, more than a year to complete. Additionally, natural urushi may cause allergic reactions. For this reason, during the first session on Wednesday, February 12, participants will begin with a simplified “Kintsugi Experience” using synthetic lacquer, which does not carry the risk of allergic reactions.

In this initial session, you will repair 1–2 small chips or cracks to familiarize yourself with the overall process. When moving on to kintsugi with natural urushi, it is essential to wear gloves to avoid allergic reactions and to proceed methodically. We hope this approach will ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience as you work with urushi.

<Steps for Kintsugi with Natural Urushi Lacquer> 

1. Assess the damage to the piece and envision the final result after applying kintsugi.
2. Prepare the base according to the type of pottery.
3. Bond the broken pieces and fill in the missing sections.
4. Sand the filled areas and reinforce the base.
5. Smooth the surface with additional layers of lacquer.
6. Apply the finishing coat of lacquer and sprinkle gold powder.

The above six steps may or may not be completed within six sessions, depending on the extent of the damage and the pace of progress. Sometimes, steps 3–5 may need to be repeated.

Kintsugi with natural urushi lacquer requires a significant amount of time to complete. However, one advantage is that you can work on multiple pieces simultaneously. Please bring several damaged items, as long as it doesn’t overwhelm your ability to manage them and stay organized.

< 10 Sessions / Twice a Month on Wednesdays >

Time: 1:00PM – 4:00PM

• February 12, 26
• March 5, 19
• April 9, 16
• May 7, 21
• June 4, 18

< What to Bring>  

Essentially, we ask that you purchase a kintsugi kit. However, if you have already purchased one elsewhere or have materials and tools from another classes, please bring those with you. We aim to make use of what you already have without wasting anything.

Items to Bring:

• Several pieces of pottery with damage
• An apron
• Disposable gloves
• Kintsugi kit
• Writing materials
• For the first session only: a box to take home the item repaired with synthetic lacquer, and a bag to carry it flat

Let’s embark on this kintsugi journey together!!!