Free Guide: A Brief Explanation of Kintsugi Techniques

Discover two different approaches of the Japanese method inspired in wabi-sabi to restore your ceramics with gold

The ancient art of Kintsugi has its roots in the wabi-sabi Japanese aesthetic, which embraces imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. Ceramic artist and kintsugi expert Clara Graziolino (@claragraziolino) describes the Japanese restoring method as an active meditation.

You can learn to repair ceramics using gold dust—and patience! Clara guides you through every step of the way to discover the history and philosophy of kintsugi. She has created a brief guide to explain the two techniques you can use in your restoration projects: the gold relief technique and the gold flush technique.

Clara was interested in creating a one-day course for students who approached kintsugi for the first time. She wanted to give them an opportunity to experience traditional kintsugi, with cheaper and easier-to-buy materials and results that were less difficult to achieve.

She started to experiment by replacing Japanese materials with those traditionally used in European ceramic restoration. She created the kintsugi gold flush technique that retraces all the steps of traditional Japanese kintsugi but replaces urushi lacquer with modern materials.

In the resource she shares below, you will find some information and photos about the two kintsugi techniques you learn in Clara’s course, Introduction to Kintsugi: Repair Your Pottery with Gold.

But first, learn a bit more about what exactly is this japanese restoration method and the materials you need to start doing it yourself.

What is the Kintsugi Japanese Repair Technique?

Kintsugi is an ancestral technique that uses gold dust to mend cracked pottery. Translated literally, Kintsugi means: gold carpentry. The tradition dates back to 15th century Japan and embodies a philosophy that exalts the beauty of imperfection, in which cracks are part of life.

Legend has it that, in the 15th century, Japanese emperor Ashikaga Yoshimasa sent a broken ceramic cup to China to be repaired. On seeing the emperor’s disappointment at the poor job returned to him, Japanese artisans set about restoring his cup more beautifully: using resin varnish to repair it and then elegantly decorating the cracks with gold dust.

This tradition continues to captivate Japanese collectors today. In this video, Clara Graziolino shares the origins of Kintsugi and explains its relationship with meditation. Don't miss it!

Basic Materials for Starting Out in Kintsugi

This Japanese artistic discipline is one of the most renowned traditions of the country. It is also tightly linked to Buddhist and wabi-sabi philosophies with their tendency to move away from the fast pace of modern life. This may explain why it can sometimes take months to complete one piece in the traditional Kintsugi technique.

Nowadays, thanks to modern materials, the process can be sped up without losing the essence of the technique. Furthermore, you can easily take your first steps in Kintsugi at home. To complete your projects correctly, you will need some utensils and materials specific to this discipline. They are, however, very easy to obtain. Learn what they are used for and what materials you can use as alternatives.

Epoxi glue

This material is key. Whether you use the single tube or a twin-barreled syringe format, the adhesive must be good quality and clear. It is one of the most effective glues, providing excellent rigidity and stability to the attached pieces. It also has a very high thermal resistance of up to 200°C.

Clear varnish

Frequently used in DIY and interior decoration projects, this product is very easy to get hold of.
It must not be yellowing, as it will be mixed with gold. A small bottle will be sufficient. Clara uses the French Lefranc Bourgeois brand.

Clear sealer

This acrylic sealer is quick-drying and reduces water infiltration, erosion, or peeling off on your object without changing its appearance when applied. You can find it in any craft or DYI shop. Clara uses a water-based sealer for her projects.

Gold mica powder

Kintsugi means “gold carpentry," so the following material is of particular importance to this art. Mixed with varnish, it is the element repairing the piece. There are many brands and varieties in the market. Our expert suggests you choose your favorite color. The texture must be very fine, almost impalpable, like icing sugar. Otherwise, the result will not be as pretty.

100 grams of fine plaster of Paris

It is always best to use this product in its powder form to mix with water. It only takes about 20 minutes to harden. You will be using this to fill the gaps in the bowl.

Plasticine

You will also need some modeling clay. Colorwise, choose white or gret to avoid any staining in your ceramic pieces.

Sand paper

You will need an assortment of 150, 300, and 600 grit sandpaper sheets. If you don't have exactly these numbers, ensure you progress from rougher to smoother, Clara advises.

Paint brushes

When applying the gold paint, use a combination of rounded paint brushes (number 0, 1, 3) and a flat number 6 brush. This will be sufficient.

In this post you'll find more essential materials and tools to start restoring your ceramics at home using kintsugi techniques.

Guide: A Brief Explanation of Kintsugi Techniques

Learn to embrace the beauty of imperfections by restoring your ceramics through the ancient Japanese art of kintsugi.

After clicking on the button below, you will find a file in .pdf format in the Downloads folder on your computer containing the Free Guide: A Brief Explanation of Kintsugi Techniques, by Clara Graziolino.

If you want to learn more about this subject you can sign up to Clara Graziolino’s course Introduction to Kintsugi: Repair Your Pottery with Gold.

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