The Art of Kintsugi: Learning the Japanese Craft of Beautiful Repair

Journalist Kitty (The Dramatic Moment of Fate) presents a beautifully photographed and eloquent survey of kintsugi, the Japanese practice of repairing broken containers with powdered gold. Intended as a way of leaving repairs both noticeable and aesthetically appealing, the craft rests on the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which Kitty sums up as the belief in “accepting the impermanence of our life and our environment.“ After explaining kintsugi’s philosophical underpinnings, Kitty shows how to use kintsugi on pottery, as well as for jewelry and statuary and in mixed-media works. Her step-by-step directions include advice on how best to apply kintsugi’s traditional gold powder, a recipe for making the requisite rice glue, and guidance on how to apply the specific kind of lacquer, known as urushi, that can create the beautiful shine that kintsugi is known for. Kitty strongly advises against painting with gold pigment, which creates an overly artificial look, and gives suggestions for those who want to experiment with copper, bronze, or silver powders. Kitty’s loving overview of this ancient Japanese tradition will appeal to many crafters, both for the aesthetic possibilities it opens up and as an art based on “one of the most powerful and resilient beliefs: that we can triumph over catastrophe.” (Oct.)