Kintsugi is the ancient Japanese tradition of pottery repair. Broken pieces are re-assembled with a lacquer-based adhesive and cracks are covered in a metal powder which is then hardened and polished. In this way, the damaged object’s history is highlighted rather than hidden. Wabi sabi, embodied.

Traditionally, kintsugi is practiced using urushi lacquer. This natural material is refined from the sap of lacquer trees found in Japan and China and has been used by craftspeople for several thousands of years. Lacquer-based kintsugi is a time-intensive and hazardous process.

In this class students will learn a more approachable form of kintsugi using quick-setting epoxy for repairs and liquid-metal leaf as a finish. Using these modern materials, pieces can be finished in less than a day.