Kintsugi Experience at Shikata Urushi, A Centuries-Old Japanese-Urushi Shop in Kyoto

Learn Kintsugi from a Respected Name in the Japanese-urushi Industry

Established in 1867, toward the end of the Edo period, Shikata Urushi — also known as Shikata Kizou Urushi — is a specialist in all things related to Japanese-urushi. 

Known as “urushi” in Japanese, lacquer is a shiny coating produced by refining the sap of its namesake tree, the urushi (Japanese sumac). This resin-like product has been used and valued since ancient times, and to this day, lacquerware is highly prized for its attractiveness and durability. Shikata Urushi isn’t your ordinary Japanese-urushi dealer. What sets it apart from its competition is that on top of selling lacquer, it also produces lacquer from scratch by refining the sap. What’s more, it creates lacquerware and also specializes in kintsugi, the art of repairing broken objects through a mix of lacquer and gold. In fact, throughout the course of its long history, the shop has developed a reputation for its precise kintsugi work. 

Clearly, centuries’ worth of experience have shaped Shikata Urushi into the reputed Japanese-urushi expert that it is today.

Despite its high standing in the Japanese-urushi industry, the shop has a very approachable feel to it.

With the concept of kintsugi spreading outside Japan and gaining popularity, the image that comes to mind among those who’ve heard of the term involves repairing an object with gold. In reality, though, gold is but one component — Japanese-urushi is the main material. As a matter of fact, even though the “kin” in “kintsugi” means “gold,” this metal isn’t even a must in kintsugi. As you’ll find out in this experience, brass, tin, or silver powder can also be used as alternatives.

Giving Ceramics New Life Through Kintsugi

The demand for Japanese-urushi and lacquerware has decreased over time, as today’s consumers have increasingly prioritized affordability and practicality. Regardless, Shikata Urushi is still going strong, thanks in part to the market for ceramics remaining steadfast. Further, seeing an opportunity in the revival of interest in kintsugi, the shop has started holding kintsugi classes at a nearby studio. Through these workshops Shikata Urushi hopes to instill an appreciation for lacquerware among younger generations.

Just a short walk away from Shikata Urushi is the studio where you’ll have your kintsugi experience. This isn’t just a venue for kintsugi lessons, though — you’ll surely be able to sense the presence of artisans hard at work in a back room. Start the experience by choosing a ceramic to repair. All objects in the selection are broken or damaged in different ways, so you might want to take each of them in your hand and examine it first. Picture what the finished ceramic will look like after the experience.

The ceramics come in different colors and shapes — and are all broken in varying ways, too.

Exclusive to Wabunka is the option to upgrade your ceramic of choice to Kiyomizu ware. Unique to Kyoto, this elaborate, refined style of pottery is named after the famous Kiyomizudera, as it was historically produced in the area surrounding the temple. If you’d like to take home a traditional Kyoto handicraft, go for this upgrade (additional fees apply).

Kiyomizu ware repaired through kintsugi

Learn Two Kintsugi Techniques: Ware and Hibi

The artisans of Shikata Urushi will teach you two kintsugi techniques. First, the ware technique involves joining broken pieces together with a special resin compound. Careful work and concentration is vital in order to make them whole again. Any excess material that sticks out can be scraped off later.

You’ll be guided by watchful artisans every step of the way, so lack of prior kintsugi experience isn’t a concern.

Next, you’ll learn the hibi technique, which is for cracks or fragments that are relatively minimal, and thus do not need to be filled. Begin by tracing the cracks with a brush dipped in Japanese-urushi. This can be a bit tricky, so you’ll have to focus. The trick is to hold your breath and slowly trace the shape of the cracks with your brush. Then, repeat the process for your other piece.

Once all the cracks are covered with Japanese-urushi, you can start to relax. If you’d like to add a few more touches to your ceramic, go ahead and get a little bit creative — add some designs even to the ceramic’s damage-free surfaces!

Gloves are required when working with Japanese-urushi, as it can cause skin irritation.

With all the cracks having been traced, it’s time to polish the ceramic with silk floss. As yet another perk exclusive to Wabunka, you can also choose to apply brightly colored Japanese-urushi. Shikata Urushi’s vivid Japanese-urushi have impressed numerous customers due to their distinctive color.

Alternatively, for an additional fee, you can apply gold or silver powder, instead of the regular brass or tin, to your ceramic. 

Enjoy Coffee Served in Lacquerware Over Your Break

Finally, personalize your kintsugi-repaired ceramic by signing it — another Wabunka-exclusive extra. Once again, take your pick from Shikata Urushi’s impressive selection of colored Japanese-urushi. 

Then, for your signature, how about picking a letter of the alphabet or a katakana character that’s easier to write? Simple block letters or characters that are composed entirely of straight lines will be easier to paint than, say, the curved strokes of hiragana characters, or the complex multiple strokes of some kanji characters. 

Plus, the simpler the letter or character, the less the risk of messing up — remember, you’ll be working with a thin brush, not a pen!

Go for easier letters or katakana characters that will look nice on the finished product.

After a job well done, treat yourself to a well-deserved break! You’ll be served coffee in a classy cup with the inside painted in white Japanese-urushi. Admire the glossy appearance and smooth texture of the Japanese-urushi as you take in your coffee.

Coffee cups made with tame (pronounced “tah-meh”) urushi (dark-brown Japanese-urushi) and aka-urushi (red Japanese-urushi)

A Lecture to Complement the Hands-on Experience

This kintsugi experience is a well-rounded combination of theory and practice. On top of the hands-on experience, you’ll also listen to a lecture by a Japanese-urushi specialist who truly knows the ins and outs of each step of the production process, beginning from the refining stage. 

Mention “lecture,” and the image of a boring classroom lesson may come to mind — but rest assured that this will not be the case at Shikata Urushi. 
With a combination of clear explanations and visual aids such as panels with photographs and illustrations, the lecture will be easy to understand even for those without prior knowledge of kintsugi or Japanese-urushi-making. You’ll be able to visualize how Japanese-urushi begins as tree sap and ends up as the coating substance that has been valued by artisans for thousands of years.

It’ll also be a very fascinating lecture, as you’ll pick up new bits and pieces of knowledge. For example, did you know that the “drying” of Japanese-urushi actually means that the Japanese-urushi hardens while absorbing moisture from the air?

The use of visual aids makes the explanation even easier to understand.

Now that you’ve tried kintsugi for yourself, Shikata Urushi hopes that you’ll end the experience with a renewed understanding of what this art truly is all about — and perhaps even rethink your relationship to broken or damaged objects.

Kintsugi isn’t just for expensive objects like art pieces displayed in museums, highly prized lacquerware or porcelain, or precious heirlooms. It can be applied to anything broken that you feel is worth saving. What’s considered valuable enough to be worth fixing isn’t just measured by how much it costs; it’s a subjective measure that differs from person to person. 

You’ve surely experienced a favorite item of yours breaking or sustaining damage, so you should probably have an idea as to what kind of items you’d consider worth giving a new lease on life to. And now that you’ve learned two kintsugi techniques, you might be able to apply your newfound knowledge the next time a favorite item of yours breaks.

Perhaps this kintsugi experience might change the way you regard old objects.

In ancient times, many towns would usually have kintsugi craftspeople close by, ready to serve the public and repair broken household objects. With sustainability now a more important concept than ever, why not incorporate the philosophy behind kintsugi, as well as its techniques, into your daily life?