Repair

We offer repair jobs for your chipped or cracked pottery, price depending on the severity of the damage.

There are three different types of damage for ceramic items:

  • Crack – a line on the surface of the piece which has split without breaking apart.
  • Chip – a small piece of the ceramic is missing/ broken off
  • Split – the ceramic item is in several separate pieces


* We DO NOT repair anything which involved in home repair such as bathroom wall or floors, we also DO NOT repair Glass, Wood or Jewelries.

Repair work of kobachi bowl - ($55 each)
Comment : 縁が掛けて使えず、食器棚の隅に追いやられていた亡き母の小鉢ですが、金継ぎをしていただき　また使えるようになりました！ 母も喜んでいると思います。 ありがとうございました！ M&F For a long time this bowl from my late mother was put in the back of the cupboard, but we are able to use it again thanks to the kintsugi work done to it! I think my mother would be happy too. Thank you! -M&F   
A$88 Each(Traditional)
Kintsugi Repair - tea pot ($110 for x2 cracks)
Comment: My beautiful antique teapot that belonged to my grandmother was cracked and the spout was broken. Jun restored it with loving care and I’m very happy to see it look so very beautiful once again. Thank you so much Jun, you did an amazing job.
2 Chips A$320(Traditional)
Vase Repair
vase
Comment: I was very pleased with the repair work recently carried out on a small vase that had inadvertently been broken following a fall. The repair work that was carried out is highly professional and where cracks had occurred these have been filled in seamlessly with a gold infiller which really adds to the whole look and individual character of the vase . The vase is quite petite and originally came from Peru where I was involved in crafting it so it holds some sentimental value for me.
A$375(Traditional)

Please read here before you ask us to repair your objects !

Dear customers who wish to request repairing,
Thank you for visiting our Kintsugi repairing website.
Here, we introduce about what Kintsugi is and goes in details about how it is repaired for you to know more about this special technique of repairing. It might be a little bit long to read but please make sure you read this through once before you make an enquiry.

*Philosophy of Kintsugi

Once broken thing will not go back to its exact same form. Even if you repair with Kintsugi, it won’t return like before. There will remain scars between the broken fragments but instead of hiding them, add a nice touch with gold (or silver) and make it more quaint. It is about to respect the beauty of imperfection and continue to share the role and the memories which the plate holds within.

*Regarding the traditional Kintsugi repairing and the price

The traditional Kintsugi repairing is almost the same method as it was 550 years ago. All the work is done by hand work with great care, but it will not go back to its exact same form. Some distortions will occur most of the times. These are resulted by the pieces being deformed from the damage or the thickness of the glue.

There are more than 20 steps process and it takes 1-3 months for repairing a simple one. It will take more than 6 months for more complicated items. It takes time to dry under controlled humidity and temperature as Japanese lacquer which we use in traditional Kintsugi as a glue and patty, is natural. Working time, for example a small plate cracked in 3 pieces, will take 10-15 hours of hands-on work and it will take 1-2 months for drying. It will take more working time and total days for repairing if it has more fragments and more complicated shape. This results in the fess becoming higher than you think. I think you can understand the price if you can think how much labor cost it will take you to work for 10 hours.

*Regarding the use of traditional Kintsugi after repairing

You can use as a tableware after traditional Kintsugi repairing but I recommend you to use as an ornamental. If you want to use it, it is better to use only on special occasions and not daily as traditional Kintsugi repairing uses Japanese lacquer. Japanese lacquer doesn’t go well with water after curing. It won’t last long if you wash everyday with water and if it doesn’t get dried well after usage. Therefore, I would like you to use it only on special occasions such as anniversaries and use it for a long time.

In Japan, the traditional Kintsugi – repaired tea bowls and plates have been used only on a special day such as a tea ceremony and it has been stored in a safe place after they use. Also, Kintsugi is not an everlasting restoration method so even if you use it carefully, it will peel off or crack in a long period of time. However, it is important to use it again repairing with Kintsugi instead of throwing it away, and this, is the philosophy of Kintsugi.

*Regarding modern Kintsugi repairing

Modern Kintsugi is faster and cheaper than traditional Kintsugi but it uses epoxy resin and chemical materials so you can’t use it as a tableware after restoration.
Moreover, the gold line is bolder than traditional Kintsugi.
This method is recommended for items like a vase or items that you will not use as a tableware after restoration.

*Kintsugi with using epoxy resin (Modern Kintsugi)

Cautionary points
It cannot be used in dishwasher or microwave after restoration for both Kintsugi.
It cannot be used as a cookware for both Kintsugi.

Even with modern method it takes a few hours for 1-3 spread(pieces) to be repaired. If there are more than 7-8 pieces we need to spend at least 10 hours. This means the repair and material cost would not be less than $300.

The traditional method uses a longer process than Modern or Hybrid (both Traditional and Modern method in use), so more time is required, including making glue or putty by ourselves and drying time of the Lacquer. The temperature and humidity need to be carefully controlled, and so we need at least 2 months to complete these methods.

*Regarding materials of the gold line

The gold line is the most important thing in Kintsugi. It uses either pure gold powder, substituted gold powder or silver powder and so on. Restoration fee will vary depending on which materials will be used.

*How to make an enquiry for restoration

Please let us know all the details below.
We will send you a quotation.

  1. Name
  2. Address (name of the city)
  3. Sending method (post or bring in)
  4. Few photos of restoration-requested product which shows the condition
  5. Size, diameter and height of the restoration-requested product
  6. Your feelings and background stories towards the restoration-requested product (if possible)

Please make sure to send us all the information above otherwise we won’t be able to give you a quotation.

For enquiries on any repair work, please contact Jun on kintsugi2000@gmail.com

If you’d like to repair your your broken ceramic by your self, we have a “Ceramic Repair course” .
Please have a look this page ! Sorry , this class is only available in Sydney !

Please note that after a kintsugi repair has been done to a piece, it no longer can be microwaved.

Pieces repaired with kintsugi is still fragile. Please handle with care, making sure the below points are followed:

  1. Do not put repaired pieces in the microwave.
  2. Do not put it in the dishwasher.
  3. Do not soak for a long time as the lacquer may come off
  4. Do not refrigerate for a long time
  5. When washing, gently clean with a sponge.