24K Gold Kintsugi Ko-Imari Bowl | Lotus Across the Sea

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 Ko-Imari Sometsuke, Centuries in Blue Ko-Imari porcelain emerged during Japan's golden age of export ceramics. This rounded, robust bowl bears hand-painted botanical motifs in cobalt blue sometsuke on glossy white porcelain, with geometric bands encircling the rim in a tradition refined across generations of Imari artisans. Restoring Around Centuries-Old Sometsuke Reassembling a Ko-Imari bowl means working around painted surfaces that have survived since the Edo period — cobalt blue brushwork fired beneath the glaze, each stroke part of the original composition. Rio Hashimoto, whose graduate research at Kyoto City University of Arts (est. 1880) spanned the complete urushi discipline, joined these fragments over four months with natural urushi lacquer and 24K gold, finished through roiro, the highest level of urushi polishing technique. An exhibiting artist recognized in national juried competitions, she allowed the sometsuke painting to remain the dominant visual element — gold following the fracture lines without overtaking the cobalt blue. Where Two Painters Meet Across Time Ko-Imari porcelain once traveled from the kilns of Arita to European courts, shaping Western visions of Japanese craft. In this bowl, gold seams now intersect the original painter's botanical brushwork, creating a dialogue between two artists separated by centuries that neither could have planned. The urushi lacquer bonding these fragments will continue to harden over decades, outlasting the gold that adorns it.