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Kintsugi Spiritual Meaning – This Japanese Art Values Imperfection
Kintsugi spiritual meaning. The art of Kintsugi is rooted in ancient Japanese culture. The word literally means “golden joinery” and is a technique of using golden cracks to mend broken places in pottery and ceramics.
Let’s take a look at how this age old technique has found a new place in spiritual healing.
Today, Kintsugi has become a metaphor for healing. It’s about accepting cracks and breakage as a valuable part of our life experience. With time, attention and patience, cracks can be mended. When dusted with gold, they become a beautiful part of your history, your journey of life.
Our deepest wounds have great value – they leave you stronger and better than before.
The Japanese Art of Kintsugi
Kintsugi is a Japanese art and design technique that has been used for hundreds of years to repair damaged ceramics. The goal is to make something beautiful out of something broken.
A Quick History
In ancient times, clay pots were valuable possessions. Instead of being thrown out when they broke, they were repaired when possible. In many cultures, the repairs were hidden, suggesting that the pot was less valuable if it had been repaired.
Photo by Motoki Tonn
The exact origin of the Kintsugi technique isn’t clear, but around 400 year ago Japanese craftsmen began using precious materials like gold, silver and platinum to repair ceramic pots and tea bowls.
This method of highlighting repairs instead of trying to hide them was called kintsukuroi (“Golden Repair”) or kintsugi (“Golden Joinery”). It quickly became popular with collectors.
Kintsugi ceramics, repaired with gold dust and lacquer, were soon seen as more valuable than never-broken pieces. Some craftsmen were even accused of breaking pottery on purpose, so that it could be repaired in this way.
Kintsugi in Japanese Culture
In traditional Japanese culture, things that break are precious.
The idea of kintsugi is to repair broken pieces with gold. Unlike other repair techniques, kintsugi rejects perfection. Instead, it acknowledges the beauty and intrinsic value of a broken object that was repaired expertly, through careful attention over time.
Kintsugi shines light on what was previously broken. Flaws and imperfections are highlighted as part of a life lived rather than being hidden.
Celebrating Imperfections, Brokenness & The Beautiful Art of Healing – Kintsugi Spiritual Meaning
Kintsugi is a process that unites the past with the future. It brings meaning to every broken piece of life by creating a new, more valuable, whole.
When craftsmen repair broken pottery, they must be careful and patient. Lovingly reconstructing a pot with gold takes a great deal of time and practice, but in the end, the final piece is worth more than it was before.
This is the concept that relates to our own spiritual healing. It’s a wise metaphor for your life.
A breakage is not the end. It’s a chance to repair and improve. We can practice self acceptance by embracing the art of fixing broken bits with care, love, attention and patience.
Why is it Important To Repair Broken Things?
When we think about repairing something, we usually think about the monetary value of the item. But there is more to it than that.
Repairing something can also be about giving new life to an object – making it whole again.
There is a certain satisfaction that comes from making repairs. It can be a way to connect with the past or to create a new future for an object. When we repair something, we are taking responsibility and putting our own time and effort into making it better.
Kintsugi Teaches You to Be Kind
Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold.
As a metaphor for life, it shows us how to see the broken, painful parts of ourselves and others as an opportunity to add strength, beauty and character.
This idea can teach us kindness in all aspects of life – Kintsugi spiritual meaning. It’s an important reminder to treat ourselves and others with kindness. We have all had failures and difficulties. We all have scars.
The practice of Kintsugi reminds us that if we are patient and careful, though, what’s broken can be repaired. And with the pieces together, the cracks make you stronger and better than before.
Candice Kumai’s Bestselling Book Kintsugi Wellness
Candice Kumai’s Book Kintsugi Wellness is a Best Seller. It’s about using kintsugi to practice Japanese wellness of mind, body and spirit.
Kintsugi Spiritual Meaning – What Beautiful Art Teaches You to be Kind About Imperfection
One of the most important lessons that art teaches us is to be kind about imperfection.
In a world that is often filled with negativity, art reminds us that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. It also shows us that imperfections make us unique and special.
