Kintsugi: The Poetic Mend

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with precious metals, embracing imperfection and highlighting its history. It traces memory, creating a unique and powerful art form that can touch our lives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 18 February 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A captivating exploration of the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with precious metals, known as kintsugi, reveals a profound appreciation for the history and significance of each piece. Through this intricate technique, a broken pot is transformed into a work of art, where the golden repair serves as a testament to the beauty of imperfection. Unlike Western cultures that strive to restore items to their original condition, kintsugi embraces the marks of damage as a part of the object's story, leaving visible and striking lines that resemble solid gold. This unique approach not only enhances the aesthetic value of the restored ceramic piece but also makes it stronger, more beautiful, and more valuable than before.

Kintsugi traces the memory of the object, connecting the moment of destruction with the gold seams of repair. The artisans who practice this art employ finely honed skills and painstaking labor to create a new pot from the old, infusing each crack, chip, and repair with a unique narrative. Each repair becomes an intimate metaphoric narrative of loss and recovery, breakage and restoration, tragedy and the resilience to overcome it.

Kintsugi repair speaks to the essence of individuality and uniqueness, showcasing fortitude and resilience in the face of hardship. It reminds us that beauty can be found even in the aftermath of destruction, and that survival is a testament to the human spirit. By embracing the imperfections of life, kintsugi leads us to a respectful and appreciative acceptance of the passage of time and the natural aging process.

In her book, "Kintsugi: The Art of Repairing Broken Pottery with Precious Metals," author Bonnie Kemske delves into the metaphorical power of kintsugi as well as its technical and practical aspects. Through interviews with artists and ceramists in Japan and the United States, Kemske explores the personal connections that these individuals have with this intricate technique. The book includes diary entries, personal stories, and in-depth exploration of kintsugi's origin and symbolism, providing a rich and immersive experience for readers.

With its striking aesthetic and profound message, "Kintsugi: The Art of Repairing Broken Pottery with Precious Metals" stands as a unique and captivating exploration of the human spirit and the transformative power of art. It encourages us to embrace the imperfections of life, celebrate the stories that our objects tell, and find beauty in the scars that we carry.

Weight: 1012g
Dimension: 233 x 294 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912217991