Nowadays when something breaks, our first instinct is often to replace it. There are times, though, when we just can’t let something go, particularly when there’s sentimental value attached to it. The traditional Japanese repair technique called kintsugi is built on this desire to bring something back from ruin, giving it another chance.

Through this workshop, guests visit Mr. Yagi’s studio to create their own kintsugi pieces under his guidance. After repair, though, the damage is far from hidden. If anything, it is emphasized, with the golden seams becoming a tangible reminder of the item’s story. Certainly, items repaired with kintsugi no longer look new, but in the process they become more personal — literally one of a kind. The kintsugi experience represents an opportunity to reflect on and embrace life’s imperfections, and the way that they can add a distinctive flavor all their own.