24K Gold Kintsugi Ko-Imari Matcha Bowl | Blue Garden

Discover the Japanese Art of Kintsugi Kintsugi, derived from the Japanese words "kin" (gold) and "tsugi" (to mend), is the ancient art of restoring broken pottery with natural Urushi lacquer and enhancing it with powdered metals such as pure gold. Though often recognized abroad simply as “golden joinery,” kintsugi is in fact one expression within Japan’s broader tradition of urushi lacquer arts. More than restoration, it is rooted in wabi-sabi—embracing imperfection, resilience, and renewal, while honoring the vessel’s history. To truly understand this art, one must first look to its foundation: urushi lacquer, a natural and sustainable material remarkable for its strength and versatility. For centuries, this living medium has been used to create Japan’s distinctive artistry. Why Urushi Is the Heart of Kintsugi? Urushi lacquer is a natural, sustainable material derived from the sap of the lacquer tree. It has been used for centuries in kintsugi due to its remarkable properties: Strong Adhesion: Ensures durable restoration. Water Resistance: Protects against leaks. Chemical Resistance: Resists acids, alkalis, salts, and alcohols. Thermal Insulation: Shields against heat. Antiseptic Properties: Naturally resists bacteria and fungi. Strong Film Formation: As the urushi lacquer dries, it forms a strong film that makes the restored piece resilient and durable. These versatile properties make urushi lacquer perfect for kintsugi, creating strong, beautiful and durable restorations that honor the history of the original piece and become cherished heirlooms. In addition, urushi lacquer is a sustainable material that is naturally sourced and promotes eco-friendly craftsmanship that respects both tradition and the environment. The Kintsugi Process (4-5 Months) Application: We carefully restore cracks, chips, or broken pieces with urushi lacquer, sometimes mixing with other natural materials for extra strength, depending on the damage. Layering: Restored areas are coated with several layers of urushi lacquer, dried, and polished several times to create a strong, smooth base. Decoration: Finally, we decorate the piece with metal powder. While pure gold is commonly used, we also use pure silver ("Gintsugi") and colored urushi lacquer ("Iro-urushitsugi") to match the original design. Learn more about the fascinating techniques of Kintsugi! About This Piece Sometsuke Botanicals, Imari Porcelain Ko-Imari porcelain embodies the golden age of Japanese export ware, admired across continents for its cobalt blue sometsuke artistry. This rounded, robust bowl carries dense hand-painted botanicals over white porcelain, with a band of diamond patterns lining the interior rim. 24K Gold and Maki-e over Natural Urushi This bowl was restored by Rio Hashimoto, who completed the full urushi program through graduate studies at Kyoto City University of Arts (est. 1880). Grounded in this training and a conceptual art practice recognized in national juried exhibitions, she rejoined the fragments with natural urushi lacquer and 24K gold finished to the deep luster of roiro polishing, then extended the kintsugi into maki-e branches along the seams — rooted in the same body of knowledge that sustains Japan’s most valued lacquer heritage. Where Kintsugi Becomes Lacquer Art The maki-e branches along the gold seams mark where restoration becomes decoration. The lacquer artist extended the kintsugi into a motif of her own, drawing on techniques shared with Japan’s finest lacquerware. Ko-Imari sometsuke and maki-e art converge in one vessel.