Kintsugi (Japanese: 金継ぎ, meaning 'golden joinery'), also known as kintsukuroi (金繕い, meaning 'golden repair'), is a traditional Japanese art form where broken pottery is repaired using urushi lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold. This practice not only restores the pottery but also highlights its fractures, embracing the beauty in imperfections. As a philosophy, kintsugi aligns with wabi-sabi, which appreciates the flawed or imperfect. Additionally, kintsugi reflects the Japanese philosophy of mushin (無心, meaning 'no mind'), which involves concepts of non-attachment and acceptance of change as fundamental aspects of human life.
At Nirvana Healing Arts, we teach various modern kintsugi methods in our introductory classes. These allow students to complete a finished product by the end of the class, unlike the traditional method, which takes weeks and involves potentially harmful lacquer. We encourage everyone to expand their creativity during the class, providing the basic steps of mending pottery with adhesive and gold. Our classes help students explore the beauty in imperfections, mirroring life's own journey. To make the process easy, we provide all the necessary materials, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.