THE ART OF KINTSUGI - By Harithi Perera

Written By: Harithi Perera

Category: Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the esteemed Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Harithi Perera presents a thought-provoking essay titled "THE ART OF KINTSUGI." This entry, under the Essay category, delves into the profound Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi, which embraces the beauty of imperfection and the resilience found in life's fractures. Perera's work invites readers to reflect on the societal pursuit of perfection and the value of authenticity, offering a perspective that resonates deeply with the competition's spirit of creative exploration.

About the Work

Harithi Perera's essay, "THE ART OF KINTSUGI," eloquently navigates the philosophical and artistic realms of the traditional Japanese craft. By detailing the meticulous process of mending broken pottery with gold, Perera highlights the metaphorical importance of embracing life's imperfections. This work challenges societal norms by celebrating flaws as integral parts of one's journey, using vivid imagery and historical context to convey a message of acceptance and authenticity.

THE ART OF KINTSUGI

Original Submission by Harithi Perera

THE ART OF KINTSUGI

In an era where men thrive on materialistic prosperity and magnificent riches they tend to forget that the life they are chasing is a path that is fraught with errors, problems, melancholic events and predicament situations. During the journey of life man attempts to fix these complications by eradicating the challenges they have to face, while trying to showcase that the problems had never occurred.

Kintsugi – this term refers to golden joinery which quite literally means joins with gold. Although there is no accurately proven theory of the birth of kintsugi, one of the most believed conjecture is the tale that happened in the 15th century Japan during the Muromachi period, when the eighth shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa accidentally broke a prized Chinese celadon tea bowl. He then sent the remains back to China for repairment, but it was mended with staples which was unpleasing to gaze. Yoshimasa disliked the appearance and had Japanese craftspeople come up with a new method that was more aesthetically pleasing, hence the beginning of kintsugi.

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese philosophy that celebrates the beauty of imperfection by highlighting the cracks with divine approaches.

The technique of kintsugi is as below;

Mugi-urushi - The journey begins by bringing broken fragments together with mugi-urushi, a traditional adhesive created by blending urushi lacquer with rice or wheat flour.

Curing and Sanding - Once the fragments are joined, the pottery is left to cure. Time allows the bond to strengthen while the excess material is removed.

Sabi-urushi - A mixture of urushi lacquer and fine clay powder, known as tonoko, is applied, where gaps remain. This paste fills the empty spaces and restores the surface.

The Base Coat - A delicate layer of lacquer is painted along the repaired seams. Neither the scars nor the history of the object is concealed; instead, the surface is prepared to welcome a new expression of beauty.

Maki-e - At last, powdered gold, silver, or platinum is applied to the prepared lacquer with a powdering tool. The once-fracture, lines now transform the signs of damage into striking features of the design. With careful finishing, the seams acquire their luminous appearance.

The philosophy behind kintsugi is the process of finding peace, resilience, and authenticity in imperfect creations, while being aware of the transience of matter. Furthermore, it shows that treating breakage not as a failure to hide, but as a valued part of an object’s unique timeline and story.

Kintsugi can be a colossal metaphor to human life which shows that the errors of one’s life is not a fact to conceal but a memory to be honored and appreciated. It argues with the society’s obsession over perfection and elaborates that it is acceptable to be imperfect and flawed. Furthermore, this philosophy expresses that fragility and imperfection doesn’t reduce one’s worth.

“Perfection is not the absence of flaws, but the acceptance of what makes us unique.” Kintsugi is a technique that proves this quote constantly by showcasing the worth of materials and the acceptance of defects.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a distinguished platform that celebrates the diverse voices of writers worldwide. The competition encourages participants to explore a wide range of themes through poetry, essays, and creative writing, fostering a global community of literary expression. It is a celebration of creativity and insight, inviting works that inspire and provoke thought.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Harithi Perera for contributing "THE ART OF KINTSUGI" to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your insightful exploration of imperfection and authenticity enriches the conversation around these timeless themes. We appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing how your perspective will inspire others within the creative community.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.