Kintsukuroi, also known as kintsugi. It describes the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with precious metals such as gold or silver, with the understanding that the piece is more beautiful, and holds more character, than it did before it was broken.
In kintsukuroi, the damage to a ceramic is not just mended and hidden, but the cracks literally become the highlights of the piece. They symbolize an event that took place in the life of the object, much like events that happen in the lives of humans that cannot be reversed but leave us forever marked. Instead of seeing these events as something shameful to be hidden, the Japanese lovingly and compassionately transform the flaws into an exquisite piece of art that usually becomes more valuable than the original piece.
What a beautiful analogy for life. Life breaks us in so many different ways, and leaves all sorts of marks all over us, some more visible than others. Often, we see the cracks and damage done to our lives and believe that we are worth less because of them. But through the eyes of love, and with much delicate care and compassion, a beautiful masterpiece can be shaped out of the broken pieces.
What a lovely, liberating truth. Anywhere there has been trauma followed by healing will actually be stronger than the undamaged, untouched areas.
There are so many things that happen to us that we cannot avoid or change. Some cracks feel more permanent, more irreversible than others. Maybe they were not meant to be reversed, but lived with. To mark a significant, difficult or heartbreaking season in one’s journey. But also to bear testament to one’s survival, resilience and yes, in time, strength.
“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” // Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
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