{"id":4252,"date":"2021-03-23T21:05:42","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T18:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/?p=4252"},"modified":"2021-03-24T18:44:14","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T15:44:14","slug":"kintsugi-the-sufferance-of-a-humble-pot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/kintsugi-the-sufferance-of-a-humble-pot\/","title":{"rendered":"Kintsugi – The Sufferance of a Humble Pot"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/h2>\n

To transmute suffering into strength<\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

We all strive for perfection, in whatever form it may take for each of us. An effortless loving relationship, an enriching profession, or limitless freedom to do what is dearest to us are goals we all strive for at some point.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, this striving will be eternal, since nothing is perfect. We are doomed to pursue the impossible. Evermore daunting challenges at each new turn and an always increasing suffering will be very loyal companions in our journey.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt never gets easier, you just get stronger.\u201d<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
The Greek Myth of Sisyphus is often used to help visualize the idea of a neverending task<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

And along the way, you will break. Repeatedly. Growth implies fighting back the inertia of a static state of existence. It\u2019s like diving into the sea. As you go deeper the pressure of the ocean keeps pilling upon you the more you go down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Perhaps at some point being broken will seem like fate. And maybe it will be. It\u2019s up to us to decide. We are strange creatures, at times even the tensest environments will paradoxically feel like home, given enough time and sufficient resignation. Would you trade in the certainty of discomfort in your daily life for an unknown level of pain? Most of us wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It may get boring after some time, to play it safe and manage the same stagnant self. Yes, you\u2019re safe since you\u2019ll know what happens, but is that what you want for yourself? To meekly patch up every time, only to keep breaking in the same stage?<\/p>\n

Mediocrity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Man, have I made this gloomy, huh?\u2026<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Well. Some of us choose to pick up the pieces and try again. It will take time and patience, to mend the self back to a point where it can get on track again. This is perhaps the right phrase to employ acceptance of where it is, and take the time to properly rebuild.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joining with Gold<\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This is the basic principle underlying the Japanese concept of Kintsugi<\/em>, or Kintsukuroi<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A metaphorical ideal originated through Zen Buddhism, Kintsugi<\/em> refers to the repair of broken ceramic pots using a special paste made with gold, silver, or platinum powder. It literally means \u2018to join with gold\u2019 (tsugi<\/em> \u2013 joining; kin<\/em> – gold), and at no point may you mask the fact that it was broken, to begin with. So important is this motto, that even the veins resultant from the conjunction of the broken bits were purposefully protuberant so that another of the senses (tact) could participate in understanding the principle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s related to another cannon of Zen thought called Mushin<\/em>, which literally translates to \u2018no mind\u2019 and ascertains its main connotation of non-attachment and equanimity amid a changing environment.<\/p>\n

The purpose is to make the object useful once again while exalting its fault lines as features worthy of merit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Sen no Riky\u016b, a Buddhist monk is said to be the father of the Japanese Tea Ceremony<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The concept belongs to a current of Zen called Wabi-Sabi<\/em>, which cherishes simplicity and the importance of the flawed nature in the imperfect.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the Namporoku (1690), a record of the written saying by Sen no Riky\u016b, when speaking of the idea of Wabi<\/em> the tea master states: \u201cThere are those who dislike a piece when it is even slightly damaged; such an attitude shows a complete lack of comprehension.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In fact, it is inherent to this way of understanding the world, seeing value in that which has a tint of experience. That object or person that has lived through a number of trials and challenges, gains a certain rustic \u2018patina\u2019 that reflects calm and insight. This is the essence of Sabi<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h1>\n

Origins<\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

The practice\u2019s origins are thought to date back to the Muromachi period of Feudal Japan (14th<\/sup> and 15th<\/sup> centuries).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One day the shogun\u2019s favorite tea bowl broke. When it returned to the owner from being repaired, it left him agasp as it had been fixed with, what he felt were ugly metal staples.<\/p>\n

He, therefore, charged his craftsmen to devise a more appealing method of repair. One which would honor the object.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
The brushes used to apply Urushi are often made from rat hair, as they are finer and allow for greater precision in doing so<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eventually, they adapted a long-lived noble art in the Far East, the use of lacquerware for decorative purposes, a practice that had been in use in China for more than 1000 years.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Its descendant, named Urushi lacquer, is a paste produced from the raw sap of a Lacquer or Japanese Varnish tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum<\/em>), which grows naturally in Eastern and Southeastern Asia.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This paste, in essence, a synthetic polymer made from natural materials, has the ability to absorb vibrations at a greater rate than the surrounding ceramics (vibrational damping). This in turn will translate into a decrease in stress experienced by the original material, and therefore help increase its life expectancy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
The stirring of the lacquer stabilizes the luster and thickness of the solution while helping to draw out moisture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

The processing of the sap to produce the lacquer is, however, not without its downsides.<\/p>\n

Not only are its fumes hazardous for humans, but the sap itself is poisonous and must be handled very carefully so that it will not endanger whoever is working with it.<\/p>\n

In order to safely produce Urushi, the know-how of the craftsmanship has been safeguarded for many centuries and taken to unparalleled refinement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In good Japanese fashion, mastery requires time, patience, and dedication.<\/p>\n

The same ingredients are needed for individual growth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Expansion by Paige Bradley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We tend to hide our flaws. It\u2019s instinctive to not call attention to weakness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What this concept and its underlying philosophy show us is that if approached with the method, the pain will always be able to nurture strength.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s quite a beautiful way to contemplate failure. Just a moment on the path to somewhere else. And this time you\u2019ll be able to begin anew with a valuable scar as the step forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Whichever way you look at it, as a metaphor or literally, the pot is now of greater value.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SOURCES:<\/p>\n

Azumi, Y. (2020, May 20). KINTSUGI – The Art of Healing – Living with \u201cKintsugi\u201d philosophy<\/em>. Bridging Japan & Europe – Business, Culture, Art, Spirituality. https:\/\/www.azumiuchitani.com\/kintsugi\/<\/p>\n

B. (2019, June 6). L\u2019art du Kintsugi : d\u00e9couvrez la technique traditionnelle \u00e9tape par \u00e9tape<\/em>. Esprit Kintsugi. https:\/\/esprit-kintsugi.com\/en\/lart-du-kintsugi-etape-par-etape\/<\/p>\n

Bosia, C. (2018, September 11). Quando l\u2019anima \u00e8 in cocci<\/i>. Chiara Bosia, Psicologa Psicoterapeuta. https:\/\/www.chiarabosia.it\/quando-lanima-e-in-cocci\/<\/p>\n

Cotton, J. (2020, September 28). Kintsugi \u00e9\u0087\u0091\u00e7\u00b6\u0099\u00e3\u0081\u008e –<\/em>. The School of Life Articles. https:\/\/www.theschooloflife.com\/thebookoflife\/kintsugi\/<\/p>\n

Forge Creative. (n.d.). The Kintsugi coffee table<\/em>. https:\/\/forgecreative.co\/furniture-collection\/kintsugi<\/p>\n

Garland magazine. (2020, June 9). Why a Japanese lacquer master sought a surfing legend<\/i>. https:\/\/garlandmag.com\/article\/urushi-surf\/<\/p>\n

Gonz\u00e1lez, P. (n.d.). Descubriendo el wabi-sabi: la belleza de la imperfecci\u00f3n y la simplicidad<\/i> [Photograph]. The Amaranta. https:\/\/theamaranta.com\/energia\/wl-wabi-sabi-y-la-estetica\/<\/p>\n

Guy Keulemans (2016) The Geo-cultural Conditions of Kintsugi, The Journal of Modern Craft, 9:1, 15-34, DOI: 10.1080\/17496772.2016.1183946<\/p>\n

India, F. (2021, March 22). Suffering Can Make You A Better Person, If You Let It<\/em>. Evie Magazine. https:\/\/www.eviemagazine.com\/post\/suffering-can-make-you-a-better-person-if-you-let-it<\/p>\n

Japan House London. (n.d.). Kintsugi plate<\/i> [Photograph]. The Art of Kintsugi: Online Talk & Demonstration. https:\/\/www.japanhouselondon.uk\/whats-on\/2020\/the-art-of-kintsugi-online-talk-and-demonstration\/<\/p>\n

Kimono Tea Ceremony MAIKOYA. (n.d.). Kintsugi Experience Kyoto Japan (Japanese Broken Pottery)<\/i> [Photograph]. Mai-Ko. https:\/\/mai-ko.com\/tour\/kintsugi-experience-kyoto\/<\/p>\n

Loughnane, A. (2018, December 4). Japanese Aesthetics (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)<\/em>. Plato.Stanford.Edu. https:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/japanese-aesthetics\/#WabiSimpAustBeau<\/p>\n

Manzella, K. P. (n.d.). Kintsugi \u2013 Art of Repair | Traditional Kyoto<\/em>. Traditional Kyoto. https:\/\/traditionalkyoto.com\/culture\/kintsugi\/<\/p>\n

Sandrey, D. (2020, July 2). Urushi: All You Need to Know About Japanese Lacquer<\/em>. Japan Objects. https:\/\/japanobjects.com\/features\/guide-to-masterpieces-of-japanese-lacquer<\/p>\n

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). polymer | Description, Examples, & Types<\/em>. Encyclopedia Britannica. https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/polymer<\/p>\n

Tshering, A. (2018). Sisyphus<\/em> [Illustration]. Brooklyn Therapist. http:\/\/www.brooklyntherapist.net\/blog\/2018\/3\/4\/its-all-absurd-albert-camus-and-the-meaninglessness-of-life<\/p>\n

Vibration Damping<\/em>. (2020, December 7). Technicon Acoustics. https:\/\/www.techniconacoustics.com\/products\/vibration-damping\/<\/p>\n

Yoo, A. (2011). Expansion<\/em> [Photograph]. My Modern Met. https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/riveting-story-behind-that\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To transmute suffering into strength   We all strive for perfection, in whatever form it may take for each of us. An effortless loving relationship, an enriching profession, or limitless freedom to do what is dearest to us are goals we all strive for at some point. Unfortunately, this striving will be eternal, since nothing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":4280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,18,13,288],"tags":[807,795,809,786,787,801,711,796,800,797,789,808,793,805,791,783,784,798,799,794,64,810,788,811,813,806,803,790,802,804,792,785],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-4252","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art","category-culture","category-history","category-philosophy","tag-asia","tag-bowl","tag-broken","tag-buddhism","tag-ceramic","tag-china","tag-concept","tag-craft","tag-decorative","tag-far-east","tag-gold","tag-growth","tag-japan","tag-japanese-varnish-tree","tag-kin","tag-kintsugi","tag-kintsukuroi","tag-lacquer","tag-lacquerware","tag-muromachi-period","tag-philosophy","tag-pieces","tag-pot","tag-rebuild","tag-repair","tag-rhus-vernacifera","tag-sap","tag-tsugi","tag-urushi","tag-varnish","tag-wabi-sabi","tag-zen"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4252","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4252"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4252\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4350,"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4252\/revisions\/4350"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4252"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4252"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4252"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mozartcultures.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=4252"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}