How to Do Kintsugi in 10 Steps | Beginner's Guide to Golden Repair

What is Kintsugi?

Kintsugi (金継ぎ, "golden joinery") is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum powder. Rather than hiding damage, kintsugi celebrates it — transforming breaks into beautiful golden seams that tell the story of an object's life.

What You'll Need

• Broken ceramic piece
• Kintsugi kit (urushi lacquer or food-safe synthetic alternative)
• Gold powder (real gold or brass substitute)
• Fine sandpaper (400–800 grit)
• Small brushes and mixing palette
• Masking tape
• Gloves (urushi can cause skin irritation)

The 10-Step Process

Step 1: Clean the Broken Pieces

Wash all pieces thoroughly and let them dry completely. Remove any old glue if this isn't a fresh break.

Step 2: Dry-Fit the Pieces

Arrange all pieces together without adhesive to understand how they fit. Use masking tape to mark the order if there are multiple fragments.

Step 3: Mix the Adhesive Lacquer

Combine urushi lacquer with a small amount of flour or tonoko (clay powder) to create a thick paste. For synthetic kits, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 4: Apply Lacquer to Edges

Using a thin brush or toothpick, apply a thin, even layer of lacquer to both broken edges.

Step 5: Join the Pieces

Press the pieces firmly together. Wipe away any excess lacquer that squeezes out. Secure with masking tape.

Step 6: Cure

Place in a humid environment (traditional urushi needs 70–80% humidity). Curing takes 1–2 weeks for real urushi, or 24 hours for synthetic alternatives.

Step 7: Sand the Seam

Once fully cured, gently sand the seam with fine sandpaper until smooth. Be careful not to scratch the surrounding glaze.

Step 8: Apply Finishing Lacquer

Brush a thin layer of clear or red urushi over the seam. This creates the surface that will hold the gold powder.

Step 9: Apply Gold Powder

While the finishing lacquer is still slightly tacky, dust gold powder over the seam using a soft brush. Press gently to ensure good adhesion.

Step 10: Final Cure and Polish

Allow another week of curing, then gently polish with a soft cloth. Your piece is now ready to use — more beautiful than before.

Tips for Success

• Practice on an inexpensive piece first
• Don't rush the curing process — patience is essential
• For food-safe results, use genuine urushi lacquer and real gold
• Professional kintsugi artists charge ¥3,000–¥30,000+ depending on complexity