Embracing Kintsugi’s Past: Chiari Matsumoto’s Vision for Its Future

Introduction: Japan’s Artisanal Culture and Its Connection to Nature

What makes the artisanal culture of Japan special is its embrace of discourse.
The island nation’s geography-dominated by mountains, dense forests, and cascading rivers-has shaped its aesthetic for around 40,000 years. With only about 33% of the land being inhabitable, nature’s influence on Japanese craftsmanship is profound.

Understanding Wabi-Sabi: The Beauty of Imperfection

Japanese arts and crafts often embody wabi-sabi, a concept celebrating imperfection and impermanence.
In Japanese ceramics, asymmetry and patina are not seen as flaws but as reflections of the rugged cliffs, autumn leaves, and untamed forests that define Japan’s landscape.
This tasteful rejection of uniformity is a hallmark of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

Kintsugi: The Art of Repairing with Gold

What Is Kintsugi?

Kintsugi (金継ぎ), meaning “joining with gold,” is the traditional Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer and gold powder.
Rather than hiding flaws, it elevates them, turning cracks and breaks into celebrated features.

The Origins of Kintsugi

The practice traces back to Japan’s Muromachi Period (1336–1573).
Legend has it that Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, dissatisfied with a tea bowl repaired in China with unsightly staples, commissioned local artisans to devise a more beautiful solution. The result was kintsugi-a perfect application of wabi-sabi aesthetics.

Interview: Chiari Matsumoto and the New Generation of Kintsugi Artists

From Marketing to Kintsugi

Chiari Matsumoto, a 29-year-old kintsugi artist based in Tokyo, found her calling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Originally working in marketing, she shifted careers after her favorite pot broke-an incident she now sees as fate guiding her to traditional Japanese crafts.

Reviving Traditional Crafts in Modern Times

Matsumoto is part of a new wave of young artisans dedicated to preserving and modernizing traditional crafts.
Today, she repairs not only classic Japanese pottery but also Western ceramics, contemporary tableware, and jewelry, expanding the scope of kintsugi’s application

The Kintsugi Process: How Broken Pieces Are Reborn

Step-by-Step Breakdown

  1. Collect and clean broken pieces to reassemble according to the original form.

  2. Bond the pieces using natural lacquer derived from tree sap.

  3. Fill chips and cracks with clay and lacquer putty.

  4. Apply and dry multiple thin layers of lacquer, building strength.
  5. Paint with black lacquer, dry, and waterproof.

  6. Dust gold powder onto the repaired sections.

  7. Finalize with careful polishing after the materials have fully set.

Matsumoto notes that a single kintsugi repair can take several months to half a year, especially for delicate materials like glass.

Authenticity and Misconceptions

True kintsugi uses only natural materials-no synthetic glue or pure gold as adhesive.
Matsumoto emphasizes that authentic kintsugi preserves the functionality of tableware, keeping it safe for food use.

Beyond Repair: Kintsugi as a Form of Storytelling

For Matsumoto, kintsugi is not just about fixing broken items.
The golden cracks can resemble mountain ranges or phases of the moon, transforming an object into a story-laden work of art.
Each piece repaired carries new memories, new meaning, and renewed life.

Kintsugi’s Growing Global Popularity

International Workshops and Global Ambitions

Thanks to social media and global fascination with Japanese culture, kintsugi has gained significant popularity abroad.
Matsumoto, aiming to spread authentic understanding, has begun hosting international workshops-sometimes with interpreters-and continues to improve her English for broader outreach.

Tokyo as a Hub for Traditional and Contemporary Art

Living in Tokyo, Matsumoto draws inspiration from its vibrant art scene, from bustling districts like Shibuya to quiet neighborhoods like Yoyogi Uehara.
Her works occasionally appear in galleries and restaurants across the city.

Where to Find Chiari Matsumoto’s Kintsugi Works

Matsumoto regularly posts her latest kintsugi repairs and event updates on her Instagram account:@chiari.mtmt.
She also showcases her works in exhibitions and through collaborations with local cafes and galleries.

Conclusion: Elevating Broken Beauty Through Kintsugi

Chiari Matsumoto’s journey mirrors the essence of kintsugi itself-a transformation born of patience, artistry, and acceptance.
Through her craft, she adds another chapter to the life of each piece, proving that in Japanese culture, true beauty lies not in perfection but in the narrative of resilience and renewal.