金継ぎ . Kintsugi
Kintsugi is an art form stemming from the wabi-sabi concept of perfection in imperfection. It treats brokenness and repair as part of the history of an object rather than something to throw away. Kintsugi masters spend countless days and hours piecing other's broken pieces together with layers of urushi or lacquer. Done traditionally with pure urushi and a small brush, it takes up to half a year to a year until the cracks are secured. It is a slow drying process until the final gold layer can be added.
I had the pleasure of observing a part of this process by an urushi master based in Kyoto. At her studio, Mio Heki is surrounded by an array of broken cups, plates, and bowls, some from local owners, others shipped from abroad. The table she works on is inherited from her father-in-law who was a ceramicist. On this table are tools for her craft, each chosen specifically for the ease in which she can hold and use them. Some are handcrafted, acquired by local craftsmen last in their line. Focusing on one piece at a time, Mio Heki filled the cracks with urushi in gentle concentration. She treated each piece precious as if it was someone's heart. It was like being in the presence of a healer. Master Heki also extends her art through other mediums, each reflecting her investigation with the concept of wabi-sabi.
I had the pleasure of observing a part of this process by an urushi master based in Kyoto. At her studio, Mio Heki is surrounded by an array of broken cups, plates, and bowls, some from local owners, others shipped from abroad. The table she works on is inherited from her father-in-law who was a ceramicist. On this table are tools for her craft, each chosen specifically for the ease in which she can hold and use them. Some are handcrafted, acquired by local craftsmen last in their line. Focusing on one piece at a time, Mio Heki filled the cracks with urushi in gentle concentration. She treated each piece precious as if it was someone's heart. It was like being in the presence of a healer. Master Heki also extends her art through other mediums, each reflecting her investigation with the concept of wabi-sabi.