kintsugi

Yesterday I went to an event to learn more about kintsugi. Kintsugi is a way to mend a broken piece, often ceramics. The technique was invented in Japan coincidental with tea ceremony. 

It was fascinating to see the event attracted so many people who are keen to know about it. I enjoyed the short but very intriguing lecture by Timon Screech who referred to our perception of life and death and that of Europeans. He also mentioned to Roju (one of the Elders in Edo period) who viewed two cities of the capital, old one Kyoto and the new one Edo (former Tokyo) that were very different in their character and people's mentality. It made me want to know more about that period too.

In a group there was a demonstration by a craftman Makie-shi (gold lacquer painter) . He was, surprisingly to me, a good English speaker and very funny. There will be demonstration of this superb technique at Tokyobike on Sat. Please don't miss it!

昨日は金継ぎのイベントに行ってきました。金継の文化や技術を広めようとしている京都のグループの紹介と日本の研究をしている教授のお話、そして蒔絵師さんによる金継ぎの実演がありました。

短かったけれども教授の話がすごく面白くて、私たちとヨーロッパ人の死生観の違いだとか、松平定信の京都と江戸に関する考察の話だとかをしてくださり、もっと知りたくなりました。

その後、作務衣を着た若い職人さんが、流暢な英語で、しかもジョークを交えながら話すのがすごく意外で、またその対比が面白くて、本当に楽しい夕べでした。皆、興味津々に話を聞いてくれていたのも、すごく嬉しいことでした。