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This Ancient Japanese Technique FIXES Broken Things in a Way That’ll Leave You Breathless

It’s not just about pottery. It’s about healing, beauty, and learning to love your scars

By SubhaPublished 9 months ago 3 min read
This Ancient Japanese Technique FIXES Broken Things in a Way That’ll Leave You Breathless
Photo by SIMON LEE on Unsplash

Kintsugi: The Japanese Art That Makes Broken Things Beautiful (Literally and Figuratively)

Let's get real: when things break—your favorite mug, a piece of your heart, your plans—we always just want to cover it up, fix it quick, or just get rid of it.

What if I told you that there's an art that goes by:

"Wait. Don't throw it away. Let's make it even more beautiful."

Welcome to the universe of Kintsugi—where broken isn't the end.

It's the start of something golden. ✨

???? So, What Is Kintsugi?

Kintsugi (say keen-tsoo-gee) is a 15th-century Japanese art of restoring broken pottery—not by concealing the cracks, but by joining them with gold.

Yep, actual gold.

Imagine a fractured bowl, but instead of trying to mend it unseen, each fracture is mapped out in blinding gold. Something that once appeared devastated now appears legendary. It's not just fixed—it's revived.

It's the ceramic glow-up.

???? But Honestly… It's So Much More Than Just Mending Plates

And that's when things get serious.

Kintsugi isn’t just about mending pottery. It’s a philosophy. It’s about embracing flaws. About showing up with all your scars and saying,

“Yes, I’ve been through it—but look at me now.”

It’s rooted in the Japanese idea of wabi-sabi—finding beauty in the imperfect, the worn, the weathered.

And honestly? In a world obsessed with flawless Instagram feeds and Photoshop, that feels… revolutionary.

???? Why Is Kintsugi Suddenly Everywhere?

From TikTok-worthy viral clips to high-fashion design sites, Kintsugi is trending—and for good reason.

Fashion designers are using the concept in fashion shows

Artists are reinterpreting it as digital art and sculpture

Mental health coaches are using it as a healing metaphor

Even tattoos inspired by Kintsugi cracks are trendy

This ancient art broke into the 21st century with a bang—and we couldn't be more here for it.

Because let’s face it: we’re all a little cracked. And that’s what makes us interesting.

???? The Process Is Slow, Intentional, and Honestly… Kind of Poetic

Traditional Kintsugi is a slow process (we’re talking days or even weeks). Here’s the vibe:

Clean and gather the broken pieces

Use urushi (a natural lacquer) to bond them together

Once dry, brush over the cracks with powdered gold or silver

Let it cure and harden—and admire the glow-up

It's equal parts art and meditation. You're not just fixing a bowl—you're learning patience, acceptance, and maybe a little self-love along the way.

???? Kintsugi = A Life Lesson in Disguise

This is what I love most about it: it's not about things. It's about us.

We all struggle. We all fracture. But what if those "fissures" within us are not something to conceal, but shards of our story that make us that much more valuable?

Kintsugi is teaching us how to love the mess. How to adore beauty in brokenness.

How to let go of the illusion of perfection—and embrace the golden, flawed, lovely reality.

???? Last Thoughts: Kintsugi isn't art. It's A Whole Vibe.

In a culture that tells us to hide our pain, edit our photos, and move on fast—Kintsugi says:

“Wait. Take your time. Turn the damage into design.”

It’s not about fixing what’s broken back to “normal.”

It’s about becoming something entirely new—and more beautiful because of what you’ve been through.

So whether it’s a cracked plate or a cracked heart, just remember:

You’re not broken. You’re becoming art.

wanna see a video about this art-form <<click here>>

Fine ArtHistoryIllustrationInspirationJourneyProcessSculptureTechniques

About the Creator

Subha

Exploring the worlds of tech, gaming, SEO, and storytelling. ✨ Passionate about crafting stories and learning new things every day. Always growing, learning and sharing what I love. #Techie #Gamer #Storyteller #SEO”

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