CRASH!!! I looked in horror at the shattered bowl, scattered pieces across the floor. I was gifted this matcha bowl by a friend's mother and it holds a special place in my heart. Now it was broken as I had felt many times before. My heart sank as I gathered the pieces and placed them in a bag. I could not bring myself to throw it away or to tell my friend that I had broken the bowl. Then, I remembered reading about kintsugi and the Japanese art of pottery repair and I began the journey to recovery.
Kintsugi Haiku
Shattered and scattered
pieces lying here and there
mended, healed with love
Kintsugi (金継ぎ) or "golden joinery" is the traditional Japanese method of pottery repair using a special lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum powder. It involves taking something that is broken, piecing it together, and embracing the flaws. The repaired pottery is typically more beautiful than the original, giving it new life. The aesthetics includes the concept of Wabi Sabi where beauty is found in the imperfect.
The principles of kintsugi can also be used when repairing the broken pieces of our bodies or souls, embracing the imperfection and impermanence in our lives. The broken part of our body or soul is pieced together and mended with all of our flaws being acknowledged. We can celebrate the regrowth and beauty that arises from that transition and rebirth.
Below is a gallery illustrating and discussing the kintsugi repair of my matcha bowl. Please click the first picture and browse through.
Celebrate life's imperfections and remember that beauty lies within.