Kintsugi lecture and maki-e

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art and repair technique that restores broken ceramics to practical, food-safe use. The Kintsugi process, which takes at least two months, uses no chemical materials. Instead, it relies on urushi, a natural sap used in Japan for over 10,000 years, to bond the fragments and adorn the surface with pure gold. This technique of applying gold is known as "maki-e." In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to create decorative patterns with pure gold on your personal items.

Participants will apply maki-e to their own tea tools, wooden or bamboo items, matcha bowls, wine glasses, or other personal items they choose to bring. If you do not have any items to bring, you can purchase items like a chashaku (teaspoon) or wooden spoon at the venue.

For detailed information about the workshop, including materials suitable for maki-e, design sizes, and more, please visit Kintsugica's website: https://introjapan.ca/nihonchamakie/

For any questions regarding the items or designs for maki-e, please feel free to contact us at introjapanca@gmail.com with the subject line "INQUIRY: MAKI-E."

*Please note that this workshop involves the use of urushi (lacquer). Uncured urushi contains urushiol, a substance that can cause allergic reactions and is the same irritant found in poison ivy, so we use disposable gloves during the workshop. Please make sure to read the precautions on the website before registering.