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Why Is Broken Pottery Repaired With Gold in Japan?
The Japanese art of turning cracks into golden lines — and how repairing a broken bowl can give it a new story.
When a favorite plate or bowl breaks, we usually think about replacing it. But what if the damage itself could become part of what makes it worth keeping?
The item may be an ordinary object, used at the same table day after day. Yet over time, it can become something we hesitate to part with.
In Japan, there is a centuries-old technique that doesn’t try to hide the cracks in broken pottery. Instead, it turns them into something worth admiring.
Is a Broken Bowl No Longer Useful?
A rice bowl that belonged to my late father found its way into my husband’s hands.
It was an ordinary bowl, used for everyday meals. After my father passed away, my husband continued using it. When the bowl broke, I didn’t want to throw it away.
It wasn’t a particularly expensive item or special in appearance. Yet it had been part of our family’s life for years, and I wasn’t ready to part with it. So I decided to try giving it a second life through kintsugi.
