Kintsugi Workshop with Yuki Nakamura
Difference Between Traditional Kintsugi and This Workshop
Traditional Kintsugi is a Japanese technique that restores broken ceramics using Urushi lacquer and pure gold powder. Urushi is a natural lacquer that bonds the pieces and hardens into a strong, glossy finish, highlighting cracks with gold to celebrate the object’s history and beauty. However, Urushi requires skilled craftsmanship, special materials, careful handling, and time, and it can cause allergic reactions in some people.
In this workshop, we use easy-to-handle adhesives and gold-coloured materials instead of Urushi, making the process safer, quicker, and more accessible. This method teaches the core beauty and philosophy of Kintsugi, allowing beginners to enjoy its essence.
Enjoy this unique experience that blends tradition with contemporary creativity.
About the Experience Ahead
In this workshop, you will learn the art of Kintsugi by repairing broken ceramics. As you work, take a moment to reflect on the connection between the object and your heart. Work slowly and carefully, and enjoy this quiet, mindful moment.
This plate is an original, handcrafted design created by the instructors, inspired by floral motifs. Each piece was carefully shaped using recycled clay and a slab-building technique. A soft matte white and black glaze were applied, and then the piece was fired at 1240°C. We hope you can feel the warmth of the materials and the gentle touch of handmade craftsmanship.
Kintsugi and Repair
Repairing broken objects gives them new life by honouring their history and memories rather than simply restoring their original form. Kintsugi goes beyond repair—it embraces the cracks and flaws with gold, transforming damage into a meaningful part of the object’s story. This practice deepens our connection with the things we use and nurtures a sense of care for ourselves, others, and the environment. More than just fixing, Kintsugi offers an experience of care and healing that reflects our own lives and relationships.
Stories, Healing, and Awareness Woven by Kintsugi
Every object carries its history. Cracks and breaks mark time and experience. Kintsugi highlights these marks, rewriting the object’s story and revealing new beauty. Restored pieces become precious places where past and present meet.
Repairing can also heal the soul, especially during difficult times. Accepting and restoring what is broken symbolizes hope, embraces imperfection, and invites reflection on values and lifestyle. Kintsugi renews not only objects but also ourselves and our relationships.
The slow, mindful repair process fosters greater awareness, encouraging us to slow down and be kind to things and people. This experience can inspire meaningful changes in how we live and relate to the world.
Through Kintsugi, we learn with heart and hands to genuinely appreciate what is broken.
Special Notes:
* Suitable for beginners from 16 years old. (10 years old and under may need an adult’s supervision or help. If an accompanying adult would like to make one on your own, please purchase a separate ticket.)
* You will need a separate HYPER JAPAN Festival 2026 ticket for the same date.
Sessions
| 24 Fri | 13:00-14:00 | Friday Session 1 | Sold Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14:30-15:30 | Friday Session 2 | Sold Out | |
| 25 Sat | 15:15-16:15 | Saturday Session 1 | Sold Out |
| 16:45-17:45 | Saturday Session 2 | Sold Out | |
| 26 Sun | 13:40-14:40 | Sunday Session 1 | Sold Out |
| 15:10-16:10 | Sunday Session 2 | Sold Out |
Yuki Nakamura
Yuki Nakamura is a Japanese-born, London-based artist with over 30 years of international experience in ceramics. A multidisciplinary artist working primarily with clay as well as site-specific installations, she integrates ceramic processes with sculpture, digital media, and architecture. Her work challenges traditional boundaries while exploring materiality within contemporary art.
Alongside her artistic work, Yuki is an experienced lecturer and workshop leader. She has taught in Japan, the US, and the UK, and currently teaches ceramics at Morley College in London. She is a member of the international artist collective ART BEASTIES and is pursuing a PhD at the University of Westminster, researching how clay and digital media can interact to foster collaboration and enhance sensory engagement. Her work has been recognized with awards including the Pollock-Krasner Grant, the Artist Trust Fellowship, and the Joshibi Creative and Research Fellowship. She holds degrees from Joshibi University of Art and Design (Japan), the University of Washington (USA), and the University of Westminster (UK).
In this Kintsugi workshop, Yuki will guide participants to discover the beauty in imperfection. Through the mindful, slow process of repairing broken objects, participants learn to honour the history and stories carried by each piece. Kintsugi not only restores objects but also fosters healing, reflection, and awareness, encouraging a deeper appreciation of imperfection and the potential for renewal in both objects and ourselves.
