kintsugi

[kin-tsoo-gee]

noun

1. Also called kintsukuroi. a traditional Japanese pottery repair technique in which lacquer mixed with precious metals, especially gold, is used to fill cracks and replace missing pieces.

   A 300-year old vase repaired with kintsugi was on display.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kintsugi¹

First recorded in 2005–10; from Japanese: literally “gold repair, gold joinery”

Example Sentences

A shattered Japanese kintsugi bowl is a newly added visual metaphor of their relationship, as is Dawn’s attempt to fix it with Krazy glue, a wink-wink at her emotional volatility.

From Los Angeles Times

Humbe, “Kintsugi” Using the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery as a metaphor for a transformative love, 24-year-old experimental pop star Humbe brings a new kind of sensuality to his sound.

From Los Angeles Times

Visitors can also participate in kintsugi workshops, learning how to repair chipped, cracked and broken ceramic and porcelain tableware using 100% natural materials including urushi lacquer and 24K gold powder.

From Los Angeles Times

“Kintsugi” is not necessarily an indictment of L.A. — it’s an indictment of the entertainment industry that I’d found myself rubbing up against.

From Los Angeles Times

You sing about L.A. in a pretty negative way on Death Cab’s “Kintsugi,” which followed your divorce.

From Los Angeles Times