In the 15th century, just before the Sengoku period, which went down in Japan's history as a time filled with incessant state conflicts, the then-ruling shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa broke an enamel tea bowl. Sends the damaged vessel to be repaired back to the country of origin - China. When he gets the cup back, however, he remains disappointed with the result. The broken pieces were held together by carelessly placed silver clasps, which threatened the vessel. Dissatisfied with the work done, he undertakes the repair himself, trying to find a more aesthetic solution to the problem. Before long, the bowl was restored and restored to its former glory with the help of gold.
This is one of many stories trying to find the true beginning of kintsugi art. And what is that, you might ask?
Kintsugi is the name given to the Japanese art dealing with the aesthetic repair of damaged pottery. The idea is that when a vessel breaks, instead of being thrown away, it can be repaired with certain techniques. One way is to cover the ends of the broken pieces with a mixture made of glue and gold, then join them together.
When the vessel is dry, it is completely ready to be used again by its owner. Visibly though, he looks a bit different from his original appearance, some would say even prettier.
The aesthetic appearance of the repaired vessel tempts people to deliberately break their pottery so that they can repair it with gold. You might wonder what's so beautiful about a broken glass or bowl, but the kintsugi technique really manages to show the beauty of an object, even when it's not perfect.
This is because art not only pleases the eyes but also the soul. The message in kintsugi plays a bigger role than the appearance of the vessel.
It is important to note that in kintsugi, the main purpose of gold is to highlight flaws, not hide them. The message of Japanese aesthetics is that one should embrace one's imperfections because they make one even more beautiful. There is no perfect being in this world. Flaws make people unique, unrepeatable. In the same way, kintsugi turns an ordinary vessel into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece - unique and unique.
The meaning of kintsugi also has a philosophical meaning for our lives. Every person at some point in their life has felt vulnerable, desperate, out of place, one might even say "broken". People don't like to show their weaknesses in front of others and that's why they try to look perfect. These moments of vulnerability should not be hidden or ignored. They are a part of life and instead of running away from them it is better to accept them. To use them as a lesson and move forward with your head held high. To not dwell on these painful memories, but to use them as inspiration for a new beginning.
Flaws make a person unique, unrepeatable just like these gilded ceramic dishes. Kintsugi highlights the traits of human character that are sometimes considered "ugly" and "unattractive" like the cracks on a broken bowl, but with the right tools, manages to turn them into something beautiful.
