Piecekeeping

“There is a kind of beauty in imperfection.” ― Conrad Hall

While working on the last blog, I stumbled upon something fascinating called kintsugi. The philosophy behind this art form is embracing imperfection, and that is what The Blind Horse blog was all about! Intrigued, I examined some principles behind it, looked at exemplary pieces, and read of various methods and materials.

Kintsugi is the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery. Historically, artisans used a mixture of lacquer and gold dust (or other precious metals) to make repairs. "Kintsugi" means "golden joinery" in translation. Once mended, the pottery returns to service with a new kind of character– a greater uniqueness. The practice is both restorative and transformative. I really liked that. 

There are several kintsugi techniques, and the type of damage often determines the method used. If all large pieces are available, the “crack” style is employed to bond each one back in its place. If a piece is missing, the artist fills the entire hole with a mixture of gold lacquer, and this is called the “piece” style. In the “joint call” style, a donor fragment from a completely different piece of pottery fills the spaces. In each case, a blend of lacquer and precious metal bonds the pottery pieces together, creating beautiful shiny veins where there used to be cracks.

I could not help but think that this art form sounded a lot like living life. The drops, dings, falls, and fractures are bound to come. What are we going to do with the pieces? Kintsugi serves as a reminder that there is a way forward no matter the state of brokenness. Only, we do not make our repairs with gold, platinum, and silver, but with love, patience, and understanding. 

In a final comparison, it was interesting to learn that once repaired using this technique, a piece of pottery is not immediately ready for use. It takes time for the bonding material to cure and harden. In the meantime, the pottery must be placed in a particular environment. However, once cured, the piece is often stronger than before. It reminded me that time is vital to the healing process. 

Each hardship is an opportunity for growth. Every scar becomes part of your history–part of what makes you, uniquely YOU. Each time we choose to put our pieces back together, or help others do so, we become stronger.

 It seems that we all may be practicing this metaphorical kintsugi. 

What do you think?

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in.

– Leonard Cohen, Anthem

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