What is Kintsugi?
Kintsugi (金継ぎ) is a traditional Japanese practice of repairing broken ceramics that dates back several centuries. Using urushi lacquer to bond fragments, the repair is often finished with gold, allowing the break to become part of the piece itself rather than something hidden.
This process is careful and time-intensive, relying on urushi lacquer—a natural material made from the sap of the lacquer tree, valued for its strength, flexibility, and ability to form a lasting bond. As the repair is built up layer by layer, the once-broken seams are gradually reinforced and refined. In the final stages, a fine line of gold traces the repaired areas, transforming what was once damage into a new element of the object’s story.
At first glance, kintsugi can appear simple, but the repair is created through a process that requires patience, precision, and care at every step. Each repair involves thoughtful decisions about how to best restore the object—how the pieces align, how gaps are rebuilt or supported, and how the final line will move across the surface. In some cases, this can include subtle or significant reconstruction or reshaping to ensure both strength and balance.
While kintsugi is often associated with museum-quality ceramics, the practice isn’t limited to rare or valuable objects. Value is deeply personal. It might be an inherited vase, a favorite tea bowl, or a small figurine that simply means something to you.
Kintsugi Repair Services
I offer traditional kintsugi repair for broken ceramics and pottery, including plates, bowls, mugs, and decorative objects.
Each repair is approached individually, depending on the material, the type of damage, and the structure of the piece. Clean breaks, hairline cracks, and more complex restorations are all possible.
Finishes may include gold, silver, bronze, copper, or urushi lacquer, depending on the piece and how it will be used.
At the moment, I am accepting local projects in the Portland area. Because each piece requires focused time and care, I take on a limited number of repairs at a time. When a batch is full, I’m happy to add new inquiries to a waitlist for the next round.
The Kintsugi Process
Kintsugi is a careful, multi-step process that unfolds over time. Broken fragments are first aligned and bonded using urushi lacquer, then gradually reinforced and refined through successive layers. Each stage requires patience—both in application and in allowing the material to cure properly.
Rather than rushing to a final result, the process builds slowly, with attention to both structure and surface. The final stage introduces the chosen finish—often gold—which highlights the repaired lines. The result is a piece that is once again functional, while still carrying a visible record of its history.
Gallery
If you have a piece you care about, I’d be happy to talk with you about whether it can be repaired.