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Kintsugi: the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold-infused lacquer. The practice adheres to the philosophy of treating breakage and repair as natural parts of an object’s history, rather than incidents whose evidence is to be concealed (x) Repaired Heart, Kintsugi Study #4) and Kintsugi Study #2 by TJ Volonis
Pikachu came to the hospital a few years ago after a run in with his person’s kitten. At that time, he needed his cheeks recovered. Here he was back in 2015 happy and healthy and ready to fly home:
and all was well until, well, as his person wrote:
well, my kitten is now a cat, but she still hates Pikachu. :(
Here are the diagnosis photos she sent:
This time, given his age, it was agreed that Pikachu would come back for new red cheeks, and a some bald spot repair, and a spa. Basically, an all around tuneup. :-)
Here he is in the spa:
And here he is all better and ready to fly home again (and hopefully not battle the cat again!):
His person wrote:
Pikachu is home safe. I’m keeping a close eye on him so my cat Millie doesn’t attack again! But we needed to spend some quality time together so I could hear all about his time in California. Thank you so much for all that you do. He means so much to me and it’s so nice seeing him look like he’s brand new!
Stay safe Pikachu!
ENGOLDENED
I learnt a new word and I love the sound of it: kintsukuroi. It is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with seams of gold. Kintsugi repairs the brokenness in a way that makes the container even more beautiful than it was prior to being broken. Not a very common idea in western culture!
Instead of diminishing the bowl’s appeal and appreciation, the “break” offers the container a new sense of its vitality and resilience. The bowl has become more beautiful for having been broken. One can say that the true life of the bowl began the moment it was dropped!
Imagine you are that clay pot: celebrate your flaws and imperfections. Remember that you being you is what makes you uniquely beautiful.
And remember: “The world breaks everyone, then some become strong at the broken places.” Ernest Hemingway
An interesting essay on the art of kintsukuroi can be found in Flickwerk, The Aesthetics of Mended Japanese Ceramics.
Photos source | Kintsugi Japan
I’m pretty sure that I’ve reblogged this before, but its actually one of my favorite posts on tumblr. The idea that something can be more beautiful after being broken is so moving to me. I kind of want one of these someday, or to make my own. It’s an amazing concept, and I love the fact that it’s an artform.
This is one of the better embodiments of the japanese aesthetic idea of wabi-sabi, where in a lot of cases wear and the imperfections of craftsmanship and process are what give many things their beauty.
