Discover the Art of Kintsugi at Ikigai: Embracing Beauty in Brokenness

Join the Ikigai Artisan Class this December for an immersive journey into the Japanese art of Kintsugi.

Offered on three Saturdays—December 7, 14, and 21, from 11 AM to 4 PM—this workshop invites participants to learn the art of “golden joinery,” an ancient technique that repairs broken pottery using lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. With only 10 spots available, early booking is essential. The course includes lunch and wine each day, adding a taste of culinary enjoyment to this enriching experience.

Kintsugi: A Japanese Tradition of Repair and Resilience

Kintsugi, which translates to “golden joining,” originated in the 15th century as an aesthetic response to a broken Chinese tea bowl sent to Japan for repair. When Japanese artisans found the crude metal staples used to mend the bowl unsatisfactory, they sought a more elegant approach, crafting a method that highlighted, rather than hid, the fractures. Thus, Kintsugi was born, a process that transforms damage into beauty, honoring the object’s history instead of masking it.

Kintsugi became closely associated with the tea ceremony, and it embodies the philosophies of wabi-sabi and mushin—the appreciation of imperfection and the acceptance of change. Just as the gold-infused lacquer restores the pottery to a state even more beautiful than before, Kintsugi invites us to recognize that our own scars and challenges can become sources of strength and uniqueness.

The Class Experience: What to Expect

During the Ikigai Artisan Class, participants will learn about the delicate techniques of Kintsugi. This intricate process requires lacquer, a binding medium, powdered metal, and a steady hand. Through guided practice, attendees will gain a hands-on understanding of the methods and materials used in traditional Kintsugi, each repair an opportunity to craft beauty out of brokenness.

Attendees will learn to prepare and apply lacquer, using a palette knife, fine paintbrush, and powdered gold or silver to illuminate the fracture lines. The class will also offer insights into the philosophy behind the practice, providing a metaphor for resilience and embracing imperfections in daily life. The result is a piece that not only tells its story through its scars but stands as a testament to the craft and care it took to restore it.

A Philosophy to Live By: Finding Strength in Imperfections

Kintsugi’s message extends beyond art, serving as a philosophy that we can all adopt. By embracing life’s imperfections, we celebrate our unique experiences and challenges. This practice of acknowledging our flaws, scars, and setbacks can be transformative, a reminder that resilience and beauty often emerge from hardship. The lacquer and gold of Kintsugi symbolize the resilience within us, highlighting that our personal “repairs” only add to our depth and beauty.

Limited Spaces, Boundless Insight

With only 10 spaces available, this class promises an intimate, focused environment conducive to both learning and reflection. If you’re interested in experiencing this unique art form and the philosophies it embodies, early booking is essential. The Kintsugi class at Ikigai provides not only practical skills but also a renewed perspective on beauty, resilience, and the art of embracing imperfections.

Join us at Ikigai this December and discover how the ancient art of Kintsugi can inspire both your hands and your heart.

Learn the Japanese Art of Kintsugi
Ikigai Artisan Classes

Saturday 7, 14 & 21 December 2024
11AM to 4PM

3 Classes including lunch and wine each day.
4000 THB
Only 10 spaces available.
Booking essential.