Kintsugi: The Art of Embracing Damage
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 พ.ค. 2014
- On the Japanese mending practice of Kintsugi. To discuss this further, follow me on tumblr and use the Ask Me Anything feature here: / thenerdwriter
And you can follow me on twitter here: bit.ly/Sk3b5H
Video courtesty of www.polyglossiafilms.com
WORKS CITED:
Christy Bartlett, "The Aesthetic of Mended Japanese Ceramics"
bit.ly/1hFUUj7
Kintsugi, The Art of Broken Pieces
www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/05...
Blake Gopnik, "'Golden Seams: The Japanese Art of Mending Ceramics' at Freer"
wapo.st/1mF2sa2
Shoppers World: Japan's Ancient Art of Lacquerware:
www.nytimes.com/1985/09/22/tra...
Wikipedia page:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi
Kwan, Pui Ying, "Exploring Japanese Art and Aesthetic as inspiration for emotionally durable design"
www.designedasia.com/2012/Full... - บันเทิง
![[Basic Kit] Traditional Kintsugi Tutorial - Food safe method - Broken ceramics](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HSQWRxaKEyw/mqdefault.jpg)
![[Basic Kit] Traditional Kintsugi Tutorial - Food safe method - Broken ceramics](/img/tr.png)
kintsugi doesn't really apply to phone screens, sadly
+TheSweetestCurse I'm gonna steal your un-idea.
+TheSweetestCurse Phone screen breakage is kind of like instant kintsugi
+TheSweetestCurse "Possession make yah rich?"
+Swish Mule Remove the screen, melt subtly coloured glass into the cracks, and reinstall it?
+TheSweetestCurse
Try Ducttape Tsugi
"There is a crack in everything.
That's how the light gets in" - Leonard Cohen
Mind if i steal this
"Look out crack, here I come!" -Tyrone Biggums
It's by the famous Persian poet, Rumi:
I said: what about my eyes ?
He said: Keep them on the road.
I said: what about my passion ?
He said: Keep it burning.
I said: what about my heart ?
He said: Tell me what you hold inside it ?
I said: pain and sorrow..
He said: ..stay with it.
The wound is the place where the Light enters you.
Ring the bells, that still can ring ...
Meaningless
My autistic seven-year-old told me he wants to be good in school, but he doesn't know how. Then he asked me why his brain is broken, while crying his eyes out. Kintsugi helped me explain to him why he isn't bad and why I would not change him if I could. It helped.
+Christina Stevenson that's some beautiful parenting :)
+Giacomo Ravina Thank you, that means a lot!
That's beautiful!
+Christina Stevenson this made me cry. you're a wonderful human being.
+Christina Stevenson This single comment is probably most useful and beautful comment I have ever read till now in comment section of any place on internet
I guess my cat really digs this Kintsugi thing.
Your cat digs broken tsugi
Remember all that broke you up from watching the video, revive with a plan to reconstruct yourself and forget all of that by laughing at this comment
😂😂😂😂
"Master, you have healing to do!"
@@sriramvadapalli8838 that sounds quite a bit more pretentious than it should
That's actually exactly how muscle grows. Theres damage, then there's repair, and the repair adds to the foundation.
Isn't that how bones grow? I heard that muscles just swell up when we see them get 'bigger'
Kshitij Benedict no that's not how muscles work but I think you're thinking about how a broken bone repairs itself stronger
It is also not true about bones. These are old wives tales made up to make children and men feel better about their injuries. You're welcome.
TJ Duprey no it's literally true, scientifically, what wives say that
If this were true, after the countless injuries I've had, I should be able to punch through mountains and kick people into orbit just so I can watch them burn up on re-entry.
I had a mug that I used religiously throughout university. A few months after I graduated my cat knocked it off the kitchen counter, I was disappointed but I had heard of kintsugi and so set out to repair it with this method, knowing that its coffee days were over. It acts as a symbol now as the coffee days of the mug are over just like the university journey has ended.
cats....amirite.....also where did you learn how to do this....I'd like to do some kintsugi as well ....
According to Hemingway your mug is now immune to cats.
Sadly no one is ever truly immune to cats.
You have to break the cats
what is kintsugi without the cat?
I like to think the scars on a body, the scratches on my laptop, the occasional tear in an old book, they all give their object character. It is proof of existence. It is the symbols that convey the message that something has happened. You can have a nostalgic moment when you remember how it happened to something of your own. A brand new book is great for the obvious reasons, but the beat up paperback on your shelf is something you would probably never part with because of the stories you have given it. You can see a mark on something you aren't familiar with, and that sparks your curiosity. That starts the conversation. That is the beginning of the story. That is the cover of the book. That is the poster for the movie. That is the ten second preview before you buy the song.
You do a good job of being thought-provoking without being pretentious.
Micah Newman It's because he attempts to provoke the thoughts in the common man.
Shakespeare himself pandered to the masses. When he wrote his plays, he wrote it for the lower class, using words they understood in a poetic structure woven within plots of sex and gore for the peasants. With the shift of linguistics, Shakespeare turned from being common, to something only the educated could understand. Shame really.
That was off topic... What I was saying is using the words of the common, can provoke a lot of thought. It reminds me of XKCD creator, James Monroe (correct me if I'm wrong, which I think I am)'s book Thing Explainer where he explains complex scientific concepts using only the 1000 most common words within the human language.
"Pretentious" is an unnecessary anti-intellectual concept. Fake it till you make it doesn't apply to being smart?
It may. But, doing it for the sole purpose of impressing someone is the issue.
Himan Janka Why does nearly every youtube comment need to spark off a pointless debate?
I wouldn't say it's a debate quite yet. But, it's usually because people are posting their opinions as comments in the "comment" section, and everyone has their own differing opinions.
This video really spoke to me, so thank you. When I was 17 an accident caused damage to my right eye. The retina was ruptured leaving a blind spot and distorting the rest of the vision. It also left Bowie-esque damage to the iris, leaving a lopsided ink spill-shaped pupil. At 17, I felt invincible. This showed me that I am breakable. At first this was hard to come to terms with, but now I like looking in the mirror at my ink spill eye. It reminds me that change happens, and that's ok.
*****
Thank you. No need to hold back!
You learned that lesson in an early swift blow. Most learn it at a slower leisurely pace. Youre sharp for understanding the lesson.
"Kintsugi symbolizes the truth that repair requires transformation, that the pristine is less beautiful than the broken--and that the shape of us is impossible to see until its fractured, until a wound, like a crack, runs its length." What a gorgeous and artistic metaphor for life.
Love this. Thank you!!!!
as a broken humain being myself i found this quite comforting.
be happy in your self, your flaws and bad past experience doesn't define you, its just a part of you
If you ain't broke, you ain't human.
I appreciate the "works cited". Too many videos on youtube provide no sources for the things they say.
I didn't used to do it this thoroughly, and I always felt bad about it. For most of these videos, I'm totally indebted to the sources I used. I didn't know anything about the history of lacquerware before making this, for example. If you ever want to know where something is from, and I didn't include it in the description, just ask.
Evan, this is poetic. I could re-watch this video dozens of times and get something new out of it every time. Thank you.
Totally knew you'd drop the mug in the end.
Haha, I noticed the mug and before I wrote something, I scrolled down to see if someone already has written something about it. I did not know he was going to drop the mug, but the odd position of the mug did catch my eyes. I was thinking: Kintsugi is going to happen either to his mug or his bed cover.
Wow, Oracle from the Matrix.
Now I can't see anything else
"but she performed the art,
Of kintsugi on my heart" ~A line from a nonexistent weeb song I just made up.
a self-aware weeb is the only acceptable kind of weeb
That's really beautiful.
She performed the art
Of kintsugi on my heart.
Mended the broken place
and wiped the tears from my face.
The gold filled the cracks
and put what it so lacks.
The light, shining and reflected
where it was once infected
with the black tar of broken dreams,
a carefully made inseam.
And though she filled the cracks with gold,
she could no longer drink from the rescued bowl.
Why no longer drink from the rescued bowl? sad :(
pretty writing tho :)
LightningStrike ʕ·͡ᴥ·ʔ ...
Wow...
Thank you so much. I am a mental health worker. I've been researching kintsugi recently as a way to help kids cope and confront trauma related issues. I will be guiding one of the kids I work with soon through a kintsugi project. Your video is extremely helpful. Know that it will be part of a legacy of healing. :)
i have cried hot heaving tears watching this. its helping me accept the broken state of some relationships in my life and how i need to consider that the pain and breakage in the relationships will always kind of be there and that that is ok, that we never really go back to before the harm and that is ok
Damn.
That Hemmingway line is beautiful.
I think Hemingway will forever be the great American author
I had a rough childhood and adolescence and the idea of finding a new beauty in damage instead of mourning what was once pristine is so lovely.
"Repair requires transformation. The pristine is less beautiful than the broken. The shape of us is impossible to see until its fractured..until the wound, like a crack runs its length." - Beautiful and powerful. Thank you so much!
As a foster parent, this is such a wonderful metaphor to share with my kids. The concept that healing from trauma can be beautiful and valuable is a major tenant of Trauma Informed Care. Just off the top of my head, the healing of these breaks is done with delicate attention, patience, and help from others. The pottery is mended with gold because it is valued and wanted to not only be functional but also expressive and representative of its worth. The breaks are still evident after mending, they may never go away, but the vessel is valued more for its beauty in repair. It may not be a perfect metaphor, but for kids who struggle with self worth and identity because of foster care (or any trauma really) this can be very helpful. Thank you!
This is by far my favorite video of yours that i've seen so far, as it relates to some trauma i'm in the process of recovering from. Thanks for sharing!
Same. I always wished that I found this channel a lot sooner until I saw this video. I stumbled upon this video when it seemed like I needed it most. Thanks Nerdwriter.
That thought occurred to me as well, as a person with flaws and broken things that I work on through the years. Things that break again and a harsh one that I'm beginning to look at once more. I think that I'll try to learn the technique of kintsugi with it. Peace to you.
Thank you! I have been struggling with loss and depression lately, and this video has greatly helped me put those losses into a different context.
Thanks so much for saying so, Ryan. Feel better.
I am going through a broken heart, and this video helped me see my pain from a new perspective. Thank you for making me aware of the art of Kintsugi
Same here
In my ignorance of Japan I have missed this amazing art and philosophy. I have embraced this as a pillar of what makes me before knowing about it. Is great to find a art that represents it.
I enjoy your thoughtfulness and subjects so much! Thanks for another great video.
Cheers, librarianfanmail!
This channel is honestly my favourite, thank you for posting such interesting and thought provoking videos
I've found you recently, and you are my favourite channel on TH-cam. All the videos I've watched left me so amazed and inspired, I can't even express it. Thank you so much! I mostly enjoy your art-related videos, they're incredible. Keep up the great work!
Love the research & writing that goes into these videos. Makes for a thoughtful & entertaining video. Keep it up and you'll be a TH-cam hit in no time! ;)
No time, huh?
Nerdwriter1 th-cam.com/video/pG4wW5yPDck/w-d-xo.htmlm29s ;)
Chris Schultz Touché.
Absolutely stunning, before this I neverr knew Kintsugi exited and I can appreciate it as a wholesome craft now
Thanks, Frankagtor!
I've watched and re-watched dozens and dozens of your videos since I joined your channel. This is certainly one of my favourites and perhaps the one I find myself returning to most. Very well done.
Thank you for this Nerdwriter! Very insightful, valuable and vulnerable. I appreciate your channel greatly. =) keep writing, keep speaking. People listen to you.
Note to self: keep on keeping on. Cheers.
you should really have more subs your work is truly something ... i really needed to hear this. I think its prevalent in everyones lives some how at one point we're broken and then sooner those scars can glorify and symbolize something significant. Rather than hiding it away like those things never happened ... cause i mean those bad things shape you for something more beautiful like kintsugi
OMG this channel and especially this video need more people to see them. I love when people analyse art, since I think I'm not that good at it :D
This is definitely one of the most beautiful content i've seen. Not only is it original and unique but also thought provoking. Keep up the amazing work.
I'm a new subscriber, but just want to say thank you for making this video-- as many others have said, it had a profound effect on me. I'm going through a lot right now and feel like I'm remaking myself from the inside out, and I have to remind myself that I shouldn't wait until I'm totally put back together to share who I am with the world-- that showing the process and even the painful history is a beautiful thing in itself.
The quality of your videos astound me and I feel privileged to experience them.
The quality of your username astounds me and I feel privileged to experience it.
You have a great way of presenting this. Kintsugi is a beautiful art, and I would like to thank you for your beautiful expression of it.
Really enjoying these videos. Reminds me a lot of the weekly vlogs from a year or so ago. Keep them coming, I'll definitely be watching!
I'm writing a comic book where the main characters are so flawed that their issues don't get resolved due to extreme repression. But they realizes they are so caught up in their own issues to care about actually trying to change them. They just feel better as long as no one mentions them. Not gonna lie I saw this video and thought this was the perfect description for my characters. Seriously its dope what you do. And keep doing it!
This is one of my favourite videos yet, very nice work.
God I wish this was the real Morgan Freeman. No offense, Morgan Freeman,
I've got nothing significant to add to the discussion here, but just want to say that this is a great video. Keep 'em coming!
Not an insignificant addition. Like anyone, I need all the confidence I can get. Thanks, Mason.
Like whoa. I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear this at this very moment. Thank you for making it.
This is just plain beautiful. Every pain and every damage end up becoming a better part of ourselves
Among all the useless, mundane, illiterate, sensationalistic, lowest-common-denominator posts on the internet is your beautiful nugget on the sacredness of damage. Keep sharing your lovely insghts. You inspired me today, thanks.
An interview confirmed that Kylo Ren's repaired mask in The Rise of Skywalker is based on kintsugi, which also says a lot about his character.
This video has deep meanings that helps me embracing my flaws and the pain I suffered after losing my dad last 16 November ... I'v watched so many times
God bless u , keep it up 👍
In a time where so much content is produced, it´s quite refreshing to see something so meaningful as the content you produce. Chapeau!
Ok, I am old and riddled with sin, but I found that to be very touching and beautiful. Thank you.
It always has baffled me that you don't have several hundred thousand subs if not a million. Means I get to feel all Indie and ahead of the curb though ;)
That makes two of us. Of course, I'm a little biased...
+Nerdwriter1 cool video, I'd sub to this to see what channel you've got going on.
Well, he has a million now ;)
Make that 2 Million.
Fantastic perspective, and relevant through the ages, on both the macro and very personal levels. Thanks for taking the time to post this
You have no Idea how timely and relevant this video is in my life in this moment right now. Chills ran up my spine watching this video as if every word you spoke was to me, thank you.
Hemudu culture originated in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. I lived there from 2013-2015. Coleman McCarthy often quotes that Hemingway passage. Thanks for the reminder.
Bless you my child.
Man, I love your videos so much. They're so inspiring and reflective and eloquently expressed. And oddly calming too. Keep it up!
Your manner of speaking, the inflection, emotion, and the detailed explanation of this subject just won you a subscriber. Good job.
New sub.... Your video was amazing! Completely learned something new.
Thanks, Dan. Welcome.
Who else came here in result of googling "kintsugi" after watching "The Man In The High Castle" S02E06 (when Juliana Crane mentiones kintsugi at about 36th minute)? ;)
Yes, and in a later episode Tagumi performs kintsugi on a broken cup and symbolically repairs his relationship with his son... A really moving scene.
Do you two remember that one Naruto episode? ;)
@Reese Rapp: Nope. I didn't watch Naruto.
@Loxodon Cyclotis: Yes, I can agree on that - both, the scene and its meaning are moving. Especially since the scene begins to have that meaning pretty soon and it's getting more clear with every second.
What a beautiful and thoughtful essay. I love how you created an atmosphere of intelligence devoid of pretentiousness. Also give it up for the background music choice. Very nice, whomever is responsible for the selection. It felt almost spiritual in nature to me, and I like the way that the facts of Kintsugi merge with Mr. Nerdwriter1's tonal ambiance to deliver a message, "Everyone is damaged. Only by embracing the damage can one become beautiful again."
You're videos always lift me up, it's amazing how much learning helps me feel better
I'm full kitsugi in my life...it's tough to embrace it.
Amazing. You really spoke to me and during the process made me want to break things.
I know. I sort of want to become a Kintsugi craftsman. There's a company called Humade that actually sells DIY Kintsugi kits: humade.nl/products/new-kintsugi-1
It's some way short of learning from the ground up, but could be fun.
I love this!! I am so drawn to the idea of kintsugi. My friend introduced me to your videos recently and I really like your style. Keep up the good work!
Amazing concept. What I'm happier about is that I found this concept through this video, and subscribed right after. I love the way you present everything, positivity is the key to great inspiration.
Nice shirt, wasn't that mine? Great video as always.
Most of my shirts are yours.
What's the song you use in the background of so many of your videos? I really like it!
Your dialog as well as your video presentation helps me understand and gives me more vocabulary to learn. I thank you once again. I'm probably going to watch all of your videos today.
I am nearly at the end of my degree and my major piece build in PMC came out of the kiln cracked yesterday. This technique you have highlighted and described so beautifully has saved my sanity... thank you so much
I knew he would break that cup! Knew it!
Then I wondered what ever happened to that poor cup!? I would love to see if it actually got kintsugi.
Yeah, Oracle also knew Neo would break the vase before Neo did it.
2015, but still find this video so meaningful. :) Thank you.
How wonderful it is to me that I found your work tonight, snowed in as it were. I shared your channel to my FB page with comments akin to: well researched, thoughtful, varied, graphically well-expressed... These are like little TED talks and I am fascinated! Thank you so much for your work. (And, as an archaeological illustrator that puts broken pottery together both in my head for work, and as a relaxing exercise when a cup breaks (or when a treasured tea bowl did) I will explore the art of Kintsugi more now that I find it's right up my alley. Thanks!
You inspire me so much with your videos. Every word out of your mouth is full of passion and intent. You’re an amazing creator
I am not hurt, I am beautiful.
(a thing I said, after my surgery)
This is the reason why I love watching anime and read manga, because you have this type of thinking in it. Mangas and Animes aren't some stupid kids shows, there are many animes & mangas that have deep meanings like this one.
weeb
Why are you calling me a weeb? Just because I like anime and manga? So what? Anime and Manga can be for a mature audience too, it's not just kids shows. Manga isn't just Naruto and Bleach... Have you taken a look at Chiisakobe? I also like other stuff too, I don't watch and read ONLY that, just so you know, and I'm interested in other culture aspects of Japan too. In fact I like reading and watching thing from many different countries, not just Japan. I've seen many Bollywood / Indian movies, I've read Russian plays and French novels, watch American movies, the list goes on...
I just wanted to point out the reason why I like watching and reading manga, that's all.
I'm not shaming your love of anime or manga. I just don't see the point of bringing it up whenever anything japanese is mentioned, that's all
I don't "bring it up whenever anything Japanese is mentioned" as you think, that's a narrow view you have. Only when it's relevant, meaning in relation to the matter at hand. And here it's relevant. It's not a random comment like "OMG I LOVE MANGA SO MUCH DESU NE!" Trust me, I don't like those people either. :)
Thanks for being polite about this. Sorry bout calling you a weeb :3
It is amazing how deep this art of the damaged plates and pots be can leave an impacts on the one's soul ,like ur life begin only after this face of agony ..u got yourself a fan
Your video has given me a new outlook on the scars or breakages of my life. Must give thanks to you for the video and also Simon and Martina for tweeting it or I would not have come across the profound message contained within.
Snook in some anti-creationism there.
+Henry Tompkinson
How can the great Spaghetti Monster not exist if the planets are all formed like perfect meat balls?
Checkmate Atheists.
+Tepes1291 You don't get the point!! It's the roasted garlic sauce that makes the difference.
Ninjas beat pirates EVERY time,
+Henry Tompkinson He had to quote the date. It rubs up against the horseshit world view of religiotards. He called it.
^ This person voted for Trump.
That cup is too close to the edge... it's bothering me. Either tip it over and Kintsugi it or move it away from the edge. Thank you Mr.Nerdwriter1. Sincerely, your friend that do not like things close to edges.
Music Life And then he knocked it over
I really love the content you put out. It is thought-provoking, horizon-widening, perspective-changing stuff and every subject is presented in a very interesting and informative way. You are amazing!
This video is amazing. I have been subscribed for so long and just now I come across this gem that reminds me why I'm subscribed to you. Kintsugi will be a motto in my life, and it's thanks to your amazing research and production skills. Kudos to you ol' chap!
3:06 he worked as a medic, and bones are stronger in the areas they are broken. This wouldn't apply to Kintsugi because the items aren't stronger where they are mended, are they? And isn't this about beauty, not stength? Anyway, nice video editing. I'm jealous of your skills.
Isn't it kinda the same?
That's why we worship abs and worked legs and a nice chest, because they're signs of strength, either fiscal or genetical, that's the whole propose for our sense of beauty, to find strength
agustin venegas my point being is that's probably not what Hemingway meant.
I wish there was a button stronger than "like", for this video.
Dude, you are insanely awesome. I have a newer, deeper appreciation of cinema thanks to you. I even "analize" your own videos and understand what you want to transmit trough music, dialogue and images. Love you channel, keep up that good work
This is great! This video directed me to read up more on Kintsugi and now life got a little easier. Keep up the great work Nerdwriter.
See: Kylo’s mask in The Rise of Skywalker.
I like the video but I think it's dangerous to apply this idea to human beings, as Hemingway does in the quote you provided. While it is true that everyone will get damaged in some way during life, we should not assume that they are better or stronger after the fact. Just like the people purposely breaking their pottery, I think this leads to people attempting to search for ways to "damage themselves." Maybe not physically, but they might search for a way that they are oppressed or depressed or different than everyone else. It basically gives people an incentive to be insulted and upset, so that they might use that as a way they have been damaged by life.
Charlie Koers The full quote "The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry. "
Charlie Koers The recent trend of seeing a personal crisis such as illness or loss as a source of personal development is problematic. While sometimes people truly come out stronger than before, others do not. For these people, the outside worlds' expectancy of personal development following a personal crisis can be a source of shame and lowered self esteem. Instead of expecting people to become better persons I believe it's more healthy simply to accept that they change and not necessarily for the better exclusively. However, no matter how people change it has it's value and beauty and quite often makes a person more interesting (which does't necessarily equal better). I think the video highlights this point very good.
Charlie Koers Charlie, my English is poor, so I hope that I understand u correctly, and will be able to express what I mean.
I believe that the subject is our choice how to handle any kind of broken parts in our life - these that simply happened . I dont believe that the idea was to courage anyone to damage any body or spirit intentionally.
Yet I can see that the fact that artists choose to break ceramics in order to use the pieces for art might create a wrong idea.
Choosing gold color to fix the cracks is interesting. Gold is a fixative color.
Couldn't thank you enough. This was somehow just there on my recommended list this morning...the universe does have a way of bringing us hope.
Thank you.
That was beautiful, man :)) I've been going through some things over my head and this helps put stuff in perspective. Have a beautiful day!
what is the name of the song?
i am goin bald...and i feel its just too silly a sufferin to share...but its really sad...its like puberty again...
kintsugi...:(
Don't take me way too seriously, but, shave your head, shaved heads are awesome either of you're a man or a woman or anything, just consider it and inform me if you do it ;)
I have finished watching this video with a huge smile on my face, I felt like brocken parts are not things to be ashamed of, overvaluing the pristine parts of us. Thank you, honestly, it felt great.
It makes me so happy when people put their sources in the description :D :D !!!!
I literally don’t comment anywhere in social media, but for some reason this video changed something in me, as much as loved the content I loved the way you put it! Thanks a lot...
Out of all of the prolifically amazing content thus far, this is my favorite vid
Beautiful episode Nerdwriter! What you said hit home with me as my thinking has usually been (in my western, wasteful way of thinking) "this is broken, it must be thrown out."
I actually teared up during the Hemingway quote. Well done, sir.
Had only watched some of your film essays until now, which I found well thought out and deep, but this ! Boy you are great!!!!
I've already watched four of your films, but this is the first one where you actually narrate in person...I knew of Wabi sabi but not kintsugi, but I've always kept things as long as they still functioned...your presentation, including healing and acceptance is profound...Thanks.
This whole concept is beautiful. And thank you for teaching me about Wabi Sabi ! Feels like you managed to put my sense of aesthetics in words, better than I ever could.
I was eyeing that mug right from the start of the video! :D Nice vid!
Congrats on such well made video. I was looking for this subjective for the first time and now I already understand it