Arts & Culture
The Cultural Significance of Kintsugi Pottery
Quick fact
Kintsugi dates back to the late 15th century; legend says it began when shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa sent a damaged Chinese tea bowl to China for repair, but the ugly metal staples returned prompted Japanese craftsmen to find a more elegant solution.
Why this is interesting
Imagine dropping your favorite ceramic bowl and, instead of throwing it away, mending the cracks with glittering gold. Why would someone choose to highlight the damage rather than hide it?