Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese restoration technique that breathes new life into broken ceramics. By using Urushi, the natural sap of the Urushi tree, and decorating the repaired fractures with gold, silver or vermilion, each piece becomes a beautiful work of art.

Kintsugi is more than a craft – it is a philosophy rooted in acceptance and resilience. By emphasizing scars rather than hiding them, this age-old method teaches us to embrace flaws and imperfections.

Participants will learn traditional restoration techniques, including the history of Kintsugi and its key material—Urushi, a Japanese lacquer. Each participant will receive a bowl for Kintsugi and a container designed to aid in transportation and drying the paint. During the three-hour session, you’ll follow the process step-by-step: gluing, cleaning, filling, painting, and finally sprinkling gold powder to
complete your unique creation. By the end of the workshop, participants will take home their very own Kintsugi pottery.

Yuki Tessler teaches Kintsugi workshops and courses in the Netherlands, France, Denmark and Belgium. Originally from Saitama, Japan, her journey as a lighting designer began in Tokyo, where she worked for ten years. Her deep fascination with traditional Japanese art and culture has always shaped her work. Theatre technology gave her practical insights into Japanese craftsmanship and its long tradition. During her studies in philosophy, specializing in Buddhism, she explored the concepts of wabi-sabi and zen that underpin the Japanese cultural mentality. The Kintsugi and Urushi art that are part of this allow her to embrace imperfection. Sharing the Kintsugi philosophy through workshops has become a way to promote cultural exchange and celebrate Japanese artistry.

Practical information

• The language of instruction is English
• Price includes materials and VAT