Book now Book a table

What is KINTSUGI

KINTSUGI is a general term for a restoration technique for ceramics. It is a technique of restoration in which the joints are decorated and new beauty is found in the brokenness of cracks and fissures. This KINTSUGI culture was born in the culture of the tea ceremony and has been passed down to the present day as a uniquely Japanese restoration technique. Broken ceramics are joined and decorated, and the scars are enjoyed and accepted as scenery.

As the ancient tea masters said, “Even a broken tea bowl is a taste.” The beauty of KINTSUGI and its origins can be seen as a form of WABI, the Japanese sense of beauty.

Reservation

What is 1-day “simple KINTSUGI” experience?
KINTSUGI is originally done using a special liquid called URUSHI, which is produced from the sap of a tree. This URUSHI is used to glue broken ceramics together, and it takes about three weeks for the URUSHI to harden and the gluing process is completed. Therefore, the entire process of KINTSUGI takes two to three months. In order to experience our KINTSUGI lesson in one hour, we will use a “Simple KINTSUGI” method using synthetic adhesives without using natural URUSHI at all.
By not using real lacquer, even beginners can experience it in about an hour, without worring about getting rash.

※Brass powder and substitute gold-etching powder will be used instead of gold powder. Brass powder and substitute gold-etching powder are also called substitute gold powder that can be used for KINTSUGI. Brass powder may cause metal allergies in rare cases.
※Synthetic lacquer (URUSHI) is not guaranteed safe for tableware use.

flow of KINTSUGI experience

schedule

1.【Check-In】3:00 p.m.

After check-in at the Shiba Park Hotel, you may go to our room and get ready for the KINTSUGI experience, or you may leave your luggage at the reception and go to our Library Lounge to read a book with a cup of coffee in hand.

2.【Observating】4:00 p.m.

KINTSUGI experience begins. You will observe the characteristics of the ceramic coaster you will be reparing.

3.【Patching】10 minutes

Pour equal amounts of each of the two adhesive onto the work board and mix thoroughly with a wooden spatula.
Using the wooden　spatula, apply as thin a layer of mixed adhesive as possible to the cracked area all over the section to be glued. Patch together the glued side and hold them tightly together.

4.【Sharpening】10 minutes

After patching, shave off the overflowed adhesive with a box cutter, and then prepare the surface with sandpaper.

5.【Painting】10 minutes

Once the shape and the even surface are complete, paint synthetic lacquer (URUSHI) to the joints as if tracing them. Be careful not to apply it too thickly.

6.【Applying】10 minutes

Put gold powder on the brush and drop the powder over the area painted with synthetic lacquer　(URUSHI.) Gently prepare the area sprinkled with gold powder with a cotton ball, and let it dry.

7.【Completed】

Place the coaster in the special wooden box and you are done. You can display them as a reminder of your own trip or give them as a gift to a loved one.

8.【Finished】

Well done!
After the KINTSUGI experience, how about a relaxing meal at restuarant “The Dining”, where you can enjoy three types of cuisine-Japanese, Western and Chinese?

Shiba Park Hotel SDGs

Calculate route