Kintsugi: The Japanese Art of Embracing Imperfection Through Golden Repair - (Reading > Information)

Kintsugi: The Japanese Art of Embracing Imperfection Through Golden Repair

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A. Kintsugi, which translates to 'golden joinery,' is a centuries-old Japanese art form that involves repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Rather than disguising the breakage, kintsugi celebrates each artifact's unique history by emphasizing its fractures and repairs as an important part of the object's narrative. This practice emerged in the late 15th century during the Muromachi period when Japanese shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa sent a damaged Chinese tea bowl back to China for repairs. Upon its return, he was dismayed by the metal staples used to join the broken pieces, which prompted Japanese craftsmen to seek a more aesthetically pleasing method of repair. B. The philosophical underpinnings of kintsugi are deeply rooted in wabi-sabi, a worldview centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. This perspective embraces the flawed or imperfect, treating breakage and repair as part of the history of an object rather than something to disguise. The gold-illuminated cracks serve as a metaphor for resilience and renewal, suggesting that when something has suffered damage and has a history, it becomes more beautiful and valuable. The practice requires immense patience, as traditional kintsugi repairs can take up to three months to complete due to the multiple layers of lacquer that must be applied and allowed to dry between applications. C. The meticulous process of kintsugi involves several labor-intensive steps. Initially, the broken pieces are carefully cleaned and then reassembled using a natural lacquer called urushi, derived from the sap of the urushi or lacquer tree. This adhesive is toxic in its liquid state and can cause severe skin irritation, requiring artisans to work with extreme caution. After the pieces are joined, the repair is left to dry for several days. Subsequently, additional layers of urushi are applied to strengthen the bond, with gold, silver, or platinum powder mixed into the final coating. The repaired piece is then polished to highlight the metallic seams, transforming what was once broken into a work of art that honors its history. D. In contemporary society, kintsugi has transcended its origins as a pottery repair technique to become a cultural touchstone and metaphor for healing. Psychologists have adopted its principles to help patients embrace their personal traumas and imperfections as valuable aspects of their identity rather than flaws to be concealed. The art form has also influenced modern design aesthetics, with numerous artists incorporating its principles into fashion, furniture, and digital media. Museums worldwide now showcase kintsugi pieces not merely as examples of repair but as significant artistic expressions in their own right, reflecting a growing global appreciation for this philosophy that finds beauty in brokenness and resilience in restoration. E. Not given in any of the above paragraphs.

Decide which paragraph, (A) to (D), has the information given in each statement below. Select (E) if the information is not given in any of the paragraphs.

- The kintsugi technique was developed as a response to an unsatisfactory repair method. - The process of kintsugi requires artisans to handle potentially harmful materials. - Kintsugi repairs are typically completed within a few days. - The philosophical concept behind kintsugi has applications in mental health treatment. - Traditional Japanese families pass down kintsugi techniques through generations. - The materials used in kintsugi repairs make the restored items more valuable than they were originally. - Kintsugi emphasizes rather than hides the damage in broken objects. - The practice of kintsugi has influenced various creative fields beyond pottery. - Urushi lacquer requires multiple applications to create a strong bond between broken pieces.