Tokyo's Kintsugi Adventure: Experience Gold Restoration with Master Taku

Immerse yourself in the art of Kintsugi, a resplendent restoration technique that revives cracked, chipped, or broken objects with a touch of gold. Deep-rooted in Japanese tradition, Kintsugi showcases a culture that values preservation and cherishing of items, reflecting their history, and enhancing their beauty through each repair. Guided by Master Taku, you'll employ lacquer derived from the poison oak or black tree, a safe, robust adhesive once dried, to mend ceramics and lacquerware, transforming them into gold-lined masterpieces.

Within the cozy confines of Master Taku's workshop, you'll navigate traditional and authentic materials, including genuine lacquer and pure gold powder. The expertise of Master Taku aids in this transformation process, helping you see the beauty of the fractures and embrace them as part of the item's unique history. Kintsugi is an art form that celebrates these fault lines, enriching them with gold, silver, or other metal powders, honoring their past, and imparting a new lease of life.

Master Taku Nakano: The Visionary Behind the Craft

Meet Taku Nakano, the ceramist who dares to defy the ordinary. From his studio in the heart of Tokyo's fashion district, Omotesando, Taku breathes life into his unique worldview through his ceramics. His atelier buzzes with the energy of traditional crafts, each piece a testament to his distinctive style and drawing global fascination.

Taku's journey to mastering the art of pottery is as unique as his work. Starting as a self-taught artist during an office assignment in Shizuoka, he embarked on his creative journey at the age of 36. His masterpieces encapsulate his exceptional technique and individual aesthetic, melding rare materials, colored slips, luster, and RETSU into cosmic motifs.

Taku's creativity transcends beyond the production of unique pieces. He strongly resists mass production, focusing on the originality and uniqueness of each creation. His style and innovation have attracted support from more than two thousand people, including celebrities. Believing in social contribution through ceramics, he runs charity workshops to aid underprivileged children. This aligns with Taku's philosophy and motto, which embodies the spirit of Kintsugi: "Even more beautiful and more robust than before it broke!"

Itinerary

Experience Wabi-Sabi: An Introduction to Kintsugi
Immerse yourself in the world of Kintsugi, where the core philosophy of Wabi-sabi - a central aspect of Japanese life and aesthetics - comes to life. In this workshop, you'll interact with an original pottery piece crafted by Master artist Taku Nakano, a small plate that becomes your canvas for the day.

Artistic Tools: Master Taku's Hand-crafted Pottery and Materials
At your disposal will be an exquisite pottery piece, hand-crafted by Master Taku himself, alongside carefully chosen materials intended to impart a true sense of Wabi-Sabi. This vessel, steeped in rustic lacquer, showcases a distinct Sabi-feeling, signifying a sense of worldly wisdom and age.

Mastering Kintsugi: A Unique Approach
Learn to work with Master Taku's unique Kintsugi method, which sharpens thin lines to align with the pottery's cracks. Unlike traditional Kintsugi, where gold is sprinkled on a brush-painted line, this innovative technique involves direct gold dyeing. This approach, mastered over time, allows even beginners to create thin and beautiful Kintsugi in a surprisingly short span.

Hands-on Learning: Practical Kintsugi Technique
Under Master Taku's watchful eye, you'll delve into the practical aspects of Kintsugi. Experience the entire process hands-on, from preparing the materials to executing the final touches.

The Final Product: Embrace Imperfection
In keeping with the spirit of Wabi-sabi, celebrate the imperfect beauty of your Kintsugi creation. The gold-adorned cracks serve as a reminder of resilience, standing testament to an item's journey.

Taking Your Art Home
The best part? You can take your Kintsugi masterpiece home on the same day!

Note on Safety Measures
Our studio provides gloves for your protection from potential irritants in traditional Japanese Urushi lacquer. We advise adherence to all directions and precautions to avoid any rash from the Urushi lacquer. Please note, the studio cannot be held responsible for incidents related to lacquer contact.

FAQ

1. What is Kintsugi?
Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art form that repairs broken ceramics with a special lacquer dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. This art form not only fixes broken items but enhances their beauty, making them even more unique and precious than before.

2. Who is Master Taku Nakano?
Master Taku Nakano is a renowned ceramist based in Tokyo, known for his unique and artistic approach to ceramics. He runs pottery classes from his Omotesando Studio and has gained international recognition for his creations. Master Taku is also recognized for his unique method of teaching Kintsugi.

3. What will I learn in this Kintsugi workshop?
In this workshop, you'll learn the process of Kintsugi from Master Taku. You'll get a hands-on experience of using lacquer and gold powder to mend a ceramic plate crafted by Master Taku himself. You'll also learn about the Japanese aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi, which values imperfection and transience.

4. What materials are provided in the workshop?
All necessary materials for the workshop are provided, including tools, pure gold powder, Urushi lacquer, and a ceramic plate crafted by Master Taku. Samue workwear for the duration of the workshop is also provided.

5. Is the workshop suitable for beginners?
Yes, the workshop is suitable for beginners. Master Taku will guide you through the entire process, and even those with no prior experience can create beautiful Kintsugi works under his guidance.

Key Takeaways

Reviving with Gold: Discover the art of Kintsugi, a Japanese technique that restores broken objects with gold-infused lacquer, celebrating imperfections and history.

Wabi-Sabi Aesthetics: Embrace the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi, valuing imperfection and the beauty of transience, while learning the intricate process of Kintsugi.

Guided by Master Taku: Under the guidance of Master Taku Nakano, an accomplished ceramist, experience the transformation of ceramics into gold-lined masterpieces.

Unique Materials: Utilize genuine lacquer and pure gold powder to mend ceramics, adopting Master Taku's unique Kintsugi method, known for direct gold dyeing.

Celebrating Imperfections: Learn to see beauty in fractures and embrace them as part of an item's history, enhancing it with gold, silver, or metal powders.

Taku Nakano's Distinctive Style: Meet Taku Nakano, the visionary ceramist who defies convention with his distinctive style, melding rare materials and cosmic motifs.

Hands-On Learning: Engage in a hands-on experience, guided by Master Taku, mastering the practical aspects of Kintsugi from material preparation to final touches.

Instant Gratification: Create your Kintsugi masterpiece in the workshop and take it home on the same day, celebrating the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi.

Safety Measures: Adhere to provided safety precautions when working with traditional Japanese Urushi lacquer, with protective gloves and guidance.

Included in Workshop: Workshop fee, all necessary tools and materials, handcrafted ceramic plate, Samue workwear, photo session with Master Taku.

Celebrate Wabi-Sabi: Craft your own gold-adorned creation, celebrating the beauty of imperfection, resilience, and the passage of time.

Unique Souvenir: Your Kintsugi masterpiece serves as a unique and memorable souvenir of your artistic journey.

Master Taku's Legacy: Master Taku's journey from self-taught artist to visionary ceramist brings a unique perspective and approach to Kintsugi.

Cultural Experience: Immerse yourself in Japanese tradition and aesthetics, carrying home a piece of art with cultural significance.

Expert Guidance: Whether a beginner or experienced, this workshop provides an opportunity to create thin and beautiful Kintsugi with expert guidance.

Related Read: Discovering the Art of Traditional Japanese Pottery