Traditional Hon-Urushi Kintsugi Workshop | February 21, 2027

Kintsugi Tsugiko is a traditional Japanese urushi kintsugi practice founded by Yasumi Yajima. Through her work, Yasumi embraces the traces left behind by breakage and repair — allowing cracks, care, and lived history to become part of an object's story over time. Working with natural urushi lacquer and traditional techniques, she approaches each repair not as a correction, but as a continuation — honoring the beauty of care and transformation over time. Discover the materials, techniques, and philosophy behind traditional Japanese kintsugi. You'll begin with a brief introduction to the history of kintsugi and one of its most essential materials: urushi, natural Japanese lacquer — including the fascinating process through which it cures from a liquid into a durable solid through humidity and enzymatic oxidation. You'll then experience the kintsugi process for yourself, repairing a small broken dish using traditional urushi-based techniques. Authentic hon-urushi kintsugi normally unfolds slowly over several weeks or months, allowing each layer of lacquer to cure before the next step begins. To make it possible to experience the process within three hours, some stages will be prepared in advance — but the materials and techniques you'll work with are rooted in traditional hon-urushi kintsugi rather than modern epoxy-based methods. For the final finish, you'll use brass powder, giving the repaired lines a warm, gold-like appearance. No previous experience is needed. Workshop Size: 3-10 people What you will walk away with: A repaired small dish, finished with brass powder along the kintsugi lines An understanding of the history of kintsugi Knowledge of natural urushi lacquer and how it cures Hands-on experience with the essential stages of traditional hon-urushi kintsugi An appreciation for why traditional kintsugi takes time All materials are supplied. Workshop participants will have access to 15% off all Porchlight Press products during their time in the studio. Urushi Safety Notice Please note: This workshop uses natural urushi lacquer, which contains urushiol, the same type of compound associated with poison ivy. Contact with uncured urushi may cause skin irritation or an allergic contact dermatitis similar to a poison ivy reaction. Protective gloves will be provided, and safe handling practices will be explained during the workshop. By participating, you acknowledge the potential risk of a skin reaction and take responsibility for your own participation. If you have known sensitivities to poison ivy, urushi, or similar plants, please consider this carefully before registering. Please wear clothing that you don't mind getting stained, as urushi lacquer can be difficult to remove from fabric.