If there’s one traditional Japanese craft that you need to experience in Tokyo, it’s kintsugi. It’s the art of repairing broken ceramics by painting its cracks with gold lacquer. Kuge Crafts offers an introductory workshop in Tokyo that’s perfect for beginners curious about this deeply meaningful art.
What is Kintsugi?
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form that dates back to the 15th century. It involves repairing broken ceramics or pottery using a special lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Rather than hiding the cracks, kintsugi emphasizes them, making them an integral part of the art piece’s beauty. This technique adds value to the object by embracing its imperfections and the history behind it.
Philosophy behind Kintsugi
Kintsugi is not just an art form; it is a philosophy that emphasizes the beauty of imperfection and the value of embracing the past. This philosophy is deeply rooted in Japanese culture with kintsugi often being associated with the concept of “wabi-sabi.”
“Wabi-sabi” is a Japanese aesthetic concept that celebrates the beauty of impermanence, imperfection, and incompleteness. It emphasizes the beauty of things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete, and it encourages people to find beauty in the simple things of life.
Kintsugi embodies the wabi-sabi philosophy by highlighting the cracks and imperfections of the repaired object, rather than hiding them. It shows that imperfection is not a flaw but a unique and beautiful aspect of the object’s history. By repairing broken ceramics with kintsugi, the object gains a new life and new value, reminding us of the importance of embracing change and imperfection.
Kuge Crafts
Kuge Crafts is a ceramic studio based in Suginami Ward in Tokyo. The studio is run by a family—Yoshiichiro, his wife Yoshiko, and their son, Shu—with an extensive history revolving around ceramic arts. The Kuges are some of the loveliest people I have ever met in Tokyo; warm, welcoming, and always ready to give you sweets.
Kuge Crafts’ workshops include raku pottery, sake cup making, and kintsugi. Kintsugi is their most popular class, at least among foreigners, many of whom are on a holiday in Japan.
Like many ateliers in Japan, the ceramic studio has a membership system where you pay a one-time registration fee and then pay a monthly fee that depends on how many times a month you plan to attend.
They also offer one-time sessions which are only available via VELTRA. This was the introductory class I booked with them.
My Workshop Experience
It was spring when I booked my workshop with Kuge Crafts. Cherry blossoms were in full bloom, which made the walk from the station a pleasant one. As I entered, I was greeted with a welcome.
The studio is small, with space enough to fit around six to seven people, including the Kuges. The wooden table in the center takes up most of the room. On it, our plates with cake were waiting. As I sat, Yoshiko served us homemade fruit tea. From the get-go, everything felt lovely.
On this day, all three Kuges were present. There were also three students other than me: two Japanese and one foreigner, all of whom were regular members.
The workshop began with a bunch of tea cups that had a small chip on them. I picked the one that I liked most. Mrs. Kuge then told me that it was from the Taisho era (1912-1926), so it’s fairly recent. Some of the teacups that were there were as old as the Edo period (1600-1827)—that’s around 400 years old!
Once I got my cup, they gave me the tools I needed to repair it. I started by filling the gap with putty and then filing it. This took a lot of patience because it takes a lot of filing to make it even.
After that came the part I liked, painting. My hand was not steady and the strokes I made were not the cleanest, but I found the whole process to be both reflective and relaxing. It’s fun taking your mind off other things and just focusing on the task at hand.
Once done with the finishing touches, I signed my name on the bottom of the cup and left it to dry. The cup was then placed in a special container that I got to take home with me. The lacquer takes around 2 weeks for it to fully dry so the cup has to stay in the container during that period.
Overall, I found the workshop to be an enriching experience. I got to learn the basics of a craft and bring home something I repaired. You will find other kintsugi workshops in Tokyo, but what I love about the Kuges is the no-pretense, at-home environment. They don’t put on airs the way distinguished craftsmen or strict teachers might; they guide you gently and allow you to discover the joy of kintsugi yourself.
How to Book a Kintsugi Session with Kuge Crafts
For one-day trial classes, book on VELTRA. It’s the only tours and activities website that the Kuges are signed on. You won’t be able to book it elsewhere. Even when you call them directly, they’ll tell you to book via VELTRA.
If you wish to sign up as a regular member, you can send them an email. The Kuge couple conducts the workshops in conversational English, while their son Shu is fluent in English.
How to Get to Kuge Crafts
Kuge Crafts (Teshigotoya Kuge, 手仕事屋公家)
Open on Wednesdays from 14:00 to 21:00, Thursdays & Fridays from 14:30 to 16:30, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 16:30
13-minute walk from Shin-Koenji Station, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
23-minute walk from Asagaya Station, JR Chuo Line
Official Website
