The power of the past
MENDING THE PIECES
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WABI-SABI
Our life is fleeting, nothing stays forever. Life is anything but perfect, it is marked by suffering. But that is what makes our life special and beautiful. When we acknowledge incompleteness, we can appreciate it. In Japanese, this perspective on impermanence is called wabi-sabi.
The Japanese concept emphasises the beauty of the changeable and imperfect nature of things. Accordingly, beauty should not be sought in perfection, but in the incomplete.
In Europe, we often have problems with this. This can be seen in the monumental stone buildings and cathedrals that give the impression of great resilience and durability. Japanese architecture, on the other hand, accepts that its wooden buildings will sooner or later disappear or that following generations will have to rebuild them.
Our friend, Makoto Fujimura, has created several publications and released art series that explore the themes of brokenness and restoration from a Christian and artist's perspective. Discover his insights and perspective on Kintsugi here:
Our life is fleeting; nothing stays forever. Life is anything but perfect, and it is marked by suffering. But that is what makes our lives special and beautiful. When we acknowledge incompleteness, we can appreciate it. In Japanese, this perspective on impermanence is called wabi-sabi.
The Japanese concept emphasizes the beauty of the changeable and imperfect nature of things. Accordingly, beauty should not be sought in perfection, but in the incomplete.
In Europe, we often have problems with this. This can be seen in the monumental stone buildings and cathedrals that give the impression of great resilience and durability. Japanese architecture, on the other hand, accepts that its wooden buildings will sooner or later disappear or that following generations will have to rebuild them.
Living with the awareness that everything is ephemeral can also help us find our ikigai, because it lets us focus on the things that are really important for our lives and that bring us joy. It can help us find fulfillment in simplicity and discover a profound beauty in the "fragile" moment.
In this context, Kintsugi, the art of golden mending, offers a profound metaphor. Originating in Japan during the Muromachi period, Kintsugi involves repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. This technique does not hide the cracks but rather highlights them, turning the breakage into a unique part of the object's history.
Kintsugi teaches us that breaks and imperfections can add value and beauty. The repaired piece becomes more precious, not despite its scars but because of them. This philosophy can be applied to our own lives, where we embrace our scars and the lessons they bring.
In our Kintsugi video from Tokyo and Kyoto, we delve into the origins and meaning of this beautiful art form.
We introduce a master (“Takumi”) Kintsugi craftsman who, with great care and diligence, repairs a broken piece, demonstrating the meticulous process of turning what was once broken into something beautifully whole again. Through this, we hope to share a message of resilience, healing, and the transformative power of embracing imperfections.
The Art of Kintsugi
It’s no less beautiful
During a live workshop at the House of Beautiful Business in Lisbon, we received a touching testimonial from a participant. She spoke of how a seemingly broken moment in their life became a source of beauty and new beginnings.
A Japanese Kintsugi Story
A beautiful, authentic story about the art of Kintsugi and Kintsugi as a metaphor for life from Japan:
Golden Mending – A Redemptive Journey
Our friend, Makoto “Mako” Fujimura, has created several publications and released art series that explore the themes of brokenness and restoration from a Christian and artist's perspective. Discover his insights and perspective on Kintsugi here:
Reflections
In what ways have you experienced "brokenness" in your life?
Where can you apply the Kintsugi philosophy of embracing imperfections in your life?
What "gold" have you discovered in your life through difficult or painful experiences?
How can you support others in seeing the beauty in their own "cracks" and "scars"?
