History
Kintsugi (gold-joinery repair) is believed to have began around the 15th century in Japan during the Muromachi period where tea ceremony bowls were repaired using the urushi lacquer mending technique. The then popular wabi-sabi aesthetics of appreciating the imperfection resonated with the idea of highlighting the cracks and chips with urushi lacquer and/or gold.
FAQ
How long does it take for the kintsugi repair to finish?
Depends on the number of pieces to put back together, size of crack/chip etc. For the smallest chip and fastest turnaround possible, it will be 2-3 days for modern epoxy repair and 1.5 month (although not guaranteed) for traditional urushi lacquer repair. Typical turnaround would be about 2 weeks for the modern epoxy method and 2.5-3 months for the traditional urushi method.
Are the repaired ceramics food safe?
Yes for the traditional urushi lacquer repaired tableware. Once cured, urushi lacquer is sturdy, stable, and water resistant - historically the preferred choice of tableware coating by the Japanese.
For the modern repaired pieces, the default materials used at ntsugi are not food safe. If you need a rush repair that is also food safe, please consult for custom material kintsugi.
How do I take care of my repaired ceramics
If you have a kintsugi repaired item for display, occasional wiping with dry soft cloth or kitchen paper with some water is recommended. Just don't rub it with anything abrasive!
If you have one as a tableware, soft sponge and regular dish washing soap is good for use. Leaving the repaired piece in water for a prolonged period of time (like soaking overnight) as well as use of microwave and dishwasher is NOT recommended.
Do you repair broken glass or wooden items?
As of now, I only repairs broken ceramic pieces at ntsugi. In theory, glass and wooden materials should be reparable with the same technique, however, I cannot guarantee the durability or the finish with the same confidence that I have for the ceramic repair. I may change my mind later on.