What is kintsugi?

Kintsugi, or “gold joinery,” is the Japanese art of repairing chipped, cracked, or broken ceramic and porcelain tableware using only natural materials — including urushi (lacquer sap) and finishing with genuine 24K gold powder.

Unlike Western repair methods, which often try to hide damage and restore an item to its original appearance, Kintsugi embraces the flaws. It highlights the breakage, celebrating the history and story each piece carries — the very things that make a house feel like a home.

Urushi lacquer is the sap of the urushi tree. Between summer and autumn, after 15 years of growth, each tree is carefully tapped to collect its sap. Only about 200 ml (less than one cup) can be harvested from a single tree — making urushi a deeply valued and respectful material in Japanese craft traditions.

Our Kintsugi method is rooted in ancient Japanese lacquer techniques, which date back nearly 10,000 years. Archaeological sites from the Jomon Period (14,000–300 BCE) show evidence of urushi being used to shape and protect everyday objects.

In Japanese, the word “ishokuju” (衣・食・住) refers to the essentials of life: clothing, food, and shelter. Urushi played a part in all of these — from hardening leaves into bowls, to coating wood and cloth for strength and durability. Its antibacterial and pest-resistant qualities made it a core part of life, not just decoration.

Today, through Kintsugi, we continue that tradition — not only to repair, but to reconnect with a slower, more meaningful way of living.