Kintsugi, “Golden Joinery”, “Golden Repair”, as a philosophy treats breakage and repair as part of the history, rather than something to disguise.

According to art historians, kintsugi came about accidentally (how fitting). When the 15th-century shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa broke his favorite tea bowl, he sent it to China for repairs and was disappointed with the results. The metal pins were unsightly, so local craftsmen came up with a solution — they filled the crack with a golden lacquer, making the bowl more unique and valuable. This repair elevated the fallen bowl back to its place as shogun’s favorite and prompted a whole new art form.

Discover and shop our curated assortment of items celebrating restoration, repair, and reflection.