The Art of Kintsugi: Embracing Brokenness and Healing

Have you ever wondered if something beautiful could emerge from broken pieces? In Japan, there’s a traditional art form called kintsugi—literally “golden joinery” or “golden repair”—that does exactly that. Rather than discarding broken pottery, craftsmen repair it with gold or silver, celebrating the damage rather than disguising it. This practice not only preserves the object’s history but also transforms it into something uniquely beautiful.

In our modern, throw-away society, broken items are usually seen as disposable. We often rush to replace rather than repair, missing the opportunity to appreciate the story behind every crack. Unfortunately, this mentality can extend to how we view human lives. Many times, people are valued based on their family background or talents, rather than their inherent worth. I’ve wrestled with this idea for as long as I can remember—how is it possible to overlook the humanity in every person, regardless of their mistakes or shortcomings?

Kintsugi offers a refreshing counterpoint. Originating during the Muromachi period (1336-1568), when belongings were cherished for the time and effort put into their creation, this art form emerged out of practicality. When a cherished pottery piece broke, rather than throwing it away, artisans painstakingly fitted the fragments back together like a puzzle and joined them with a mixture of glue and powdered precious metal. The cracks weren’t hidden; they were highlighted, making each repaired piece even more beautiful than before. The brokenness, once seen as a flaw, became a testament to resilience and transformation.

This practice has a profound metaphorical meaning for life. We all experience moments of breakage—times when we feel shattered by loss, disappointment, or failure. And yet, healing is possible. Just as the broken pottery is not discarded but carefully mended, we too can work on healing our inner wounds. It’s not about denying the pain or pretending it never happened; it’s about embracing our scars as part of our unique history.

The beauty of kintsugi lies in its honest acknowledgment of imperfection. It reminds us that our flaws and the challenges we face are not something to hide but a part of our story—an essential element of our journey toward wholeness. Often, we avoid the healing process because we’re afraid it won’t be worth the effort, or we feel undeserving of repair. Yet, as Alexander Pope wrote in his 1733 poem An Essay on Man, “Hope springs eternal.” Without hope, we are truly lost.

I want to be clear: this isn’t to say that there shouldn’t be consequences for harmful actions or that we should allow ourselves to be mistreated. Protecting our well-being is important, and boundaries are essential. But when it comes to our inner lives, healing is always possible. We often let negative self-talk and “should” thoughts—those harsh internal messages that can feel self-abusive—stand in the way of our healing. Kintsugi teaches us that every break is an opportunity for repair, an invitation to infuse our scars with gold and transform them into something extraordinary.

Art, after all, is a mirror of life. It can communicate deep truths and evoke powerful emotions in ways that words sometimes cannot. The tradition of kintsugi is a perfect example: a reminder that we can choose to repair our broken pieces with care and compassion. Just as each shard of pottery is carefully realigned and fixed, our healing journey involves finding the right way to piece ourselves back together. Sometimes the process takes time, sometimes it requires multiple attempts, and sometimes we have to step back and try again. But every effort is worth it.

In the end, something stronger and more beautiful emerges—a life that bears the marks of its challenges and yet shines with resilience and hope. Never give up on the process of healing. You are worth every bit of care you invest in yourself. Just like kintsugi, let your imperfections be the places where the light shines through.

Remember, even when life feels broken, there’s always a way to repair it, to restore its beauty, and to transform it into a masterpiece of hope and resilience.