Kintsugi

For those who are unfamiliar with it, 金継ぎ kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. It dates from the Muromachi period (1336-1573).

Since it follows the Japanese concept of mottainai, a mindset of avoiding waste by reusing and recycling materials, it could be said that kintsugi is one of Japan's traditional sustainable practices. It also became an art form and a philosophy, highlighting the value of the flawed and the imperfect in life.

If you're living in the Tokyo area, there's an excellent opportunity to experience kintsugi during the Golden Week holiday, coming up on May 3rd and 4th at the INTO CRAFT OUR LIVES vol.2 event in Omotesando.

Experience Kintsugi during Golden Week

kNotPerfect, Inc. sells Japan's most popular mail-order kintsugi kit. They also sell kintsugi ware, offer kintsugi repair services, and provide kintsugi workshops in their store called "TSUGUTSUGU," which they just opened in the Hiroo neighborhood of Tokyo this February.

In the aim of bringing the beautiful art of kintsugi to more people, the company decided to open a special limited-time store during the INTO CRAFT OUR LIVES vol.2 event (details below).

The TSUGUKIT

The TSUGUKIT is a beginner's kintsugi kit with a stylish and compact design that is easy for beginners to use. During the ongoing pandemic when many people are spending more time at home, this can be a great hobby activity to enjoy at home.

The kit includes only natural materials, safe to use as tableware, such as real lacquer and pure gold. It will take you time and effort, but it's a great feeling when you fix a dish with your own hands!

At the event, you can actually see the kit for yourself, ask any questions you may have about kintsugi, and of course, purchase it on the spot.

Product lineup during the event

You'll be able to buy various kits at discounted prices. For example:

• Kintsugi kit (9,980 yen → 9,500 yen!) ) ... 0.1g of gold powder
• Gold and silver kit (10,780 yen → 10,000 yen!) ... 0.1g of gold powder / 0.2g of silver powder
• Premium Kit (15,980 yen → 15,000 yen!) ... 0.3g of gold powder / 0.5g of silver powder
• Platinum Kintsugi Kit (19,480 yen → 19,000 yen!) ... 0.3g of gold powder / 0.3g of platinum powder
• Kintsugi tools (3,000 ~ 8,000 yen)

Staff can also repair broken ceramic plates, bowls, etc. which you bring in if you talk to a staff member.

INTO CRAFT OUR LIVES vol.2

In recent years, the demand for various goods such as daily life crafts, fashion, furniture, and interior design has been increasing. The INTO CRAFT OUR LIVES, now in its second iteration after a successful first run in April, brings together such items designed to enhance your life.

The venue, "COMMUNE," is an urban culture facility that aims to create "new culture" and "new community" in an open-air environment in Omotesando.

Date and time

• 5/3 (Mon) and 5/4 (Tue)
• 11:00 - 18:00
• Event will be held rain or shine

Featured Categories

CRAFT / FASHION / JEWELRY / ART / FOOD

Place

• Omotesando COMMUNE
• 3-13 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Access:

Novel coronavirus precautions

In order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus at the event, please comply with the following requests:

• Please wear a facemask when you come to the event.
• If you have any symptoms such as fever, cough, or joint pain, please refrain from coming to the event.
• Please disinfect your hands at the entrance when you arrive at the venue.

Moreover, please note that the staff members will all wear facemasks, and for events held indoors, the doors and windows will be open for ventilation.

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For more information about kNotPerfect, see their English website here. You can also order their Kintsugi Kits online here.