.jpg)
In the middle of a culture that can be obsessed with perfection and spotless looks, an old Japanese aesthetic concept invites us to not only accept but also accentuate and appreciate our defects. Kintsugi is a Japanese art form.
This captivating art entails mending damaged ceramics with gold lacquer, emphasising rather than masking flaws and faults.
Kintsugi, however, is much more than a means of repairing shattered pottery—it's a philosophy, a way of life that teaches us to value our wounds and the tales they tell and ultimately should shape us to be accepting off our flaws.
What is Kintsugi
Kintsugi (which translates to "golden joinery") is fundamentally about accepting the faulty or imperfect. Broken pottery is reassembled using a special lacquer infused with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. What was the ultimate result? A item that is much more beautiful and precious than it was before it was broken.
Kintsugi's beginnings are the stuff of mythology. According to legend, in the late 15th century, a Japanese shogun damaged one of his prized Chinese tea bowls and sent it to China for repair. What was returned was a hastily stapled-together mess, forcing Japanese artisans to seek a more aesthetically pleasing repair procedure. Kintsugi was thus born.
Accepting Our Flaws - Life
Like that broken bowl, life has a habit of tossing us curveballs. We confront difficulties, lose loved ones, and experience heartache. These encounters might leave us damaged and shattered. On the other hand, Kintsugi's concept maintains that our defects, our breaks, make us distinct and lovely.
Consider every individual you meet to be a pristine, unbroken ceramic piece—impressive yet dull. Consider people you know who have overcome adversity and emerged stronger, their experiences flashing like golden veins that distinguish them. Character and depth are added to an individual by their flaws, lessons learnt, and repaired pieces.
Kintsugi is a technique for increasing resilience
Applying the Kintsugi concept to our life entails acknowledging and appreciating our good and unpleasant experiences. Every difficulty we encounter, every scar we receive, is an opportunity to emerge stronger, more beautiful, and with a tale to contribute to our unique narrative.
It is about developing resilience. Resilience does not mean avoiding difficulties or problems but instead facing them, learning from them, and emerging stronger. Our experiences, no matter how painful, can enhance our life like golden lacquer improves shattered pottery.
Accepting our Flaws by Re-Inventing Ourselves
In times of despair, we sometimes believe that our lives have lost significance or worth due to the failures we've endured. But here's the golden lesson from Kintsugi: just as a gold-repaired bowl becomes more precious, our shattered moments develop depth, insight, and beauty.
Remember the art of Kintsugi the next time you confront difficulty or feel the weight of past tragedies. Consider pouring gold lacquer into your fissures, sealing your experiences and allowing them to shine brightly. Rather of concealing or being ashamed of your difficulties, wear them as a badge of honour. Allow them to remind you of your inner strength, tenacity, and unique journey.
Final thoughts
When faced with obstacles in today's digital world, where our lives are frequently compared to the highlight reels of others on social media, it's easy to feel inadequate or damaged. However, as Kintsugi emphasises the beauty of the broken, we must remind ourselves that our challenges do not lessen our value. They enrich our story, making us more distinct and valuable.
Kintsugi is more than an art form; it is a life lesson. It's an invitation to accept and appreciate our imperfections, scars, and history. As we negotiate life's complicated adventure, let us remember that our flaws do not define us; how we choose to wear them does. Every scar tells a story, every defect teaches a lesson, and every shattered piece represents a chance to rebuild even more brilliantly than before.
So, remember the golden lacquer and shine brighter than ever the next time life breaks you.