Kintsugi Continuing Course with makomako

Designed for students who have previously completed our Introductory Kintsugi Workshop and would like to deepen their practice.
About this Event

Designed for students who have previously completed our Introductory Kintsugi Workshop and would like to deepen their practice of traditional urushi kintsugi.

Please bring one piece that has already been properly bonded with mugi-urushi, and up to one additional piece with a small chip (up to 1 cm) suitable for the stage we will be working on. If you have not taken the Introductory Workshop but have prior kintsugi experience, please contact the instructor in advance to confirm whether this class is appropriate for you.

• Pieces previously repaired with super glue, epoxy, or other adhesives are not suitable for this class and will not be accepted in class.

In each class, you may learn one of the following stages, depending on the condition of your piece:

• filling cracks and small missing chips

• sanding and surface refining
• Middle layer paint
• Gold finishing
• Review the bonding stage, if needed.

This is a small-group class with individual guidance. Minimum 3 to run, maximum 6.

Basic materials and tools provided.

Real gold powder is included in a limited amount.

Important Safety Note:

This workshop uses urushi lacquer, the natural sap of the lacquer tree. In its uncured state, urushi contains urushiol, the same allergen as poison ivy, and may cause skin irritation in some individuals.

Gloves will be provided, safety instructions will be given.

If you accidentally have skin contact with urushi, you agree to immediately massage the affected area with plant-based oil, and wash your hands with soap and water.

This workshop is recommended for age 16+ and is not recommended for individuals with severe urushiol allergies.

* By signing up, you acknowledge the potential allergy risks associated with urushi lacquer.

Instructor Bio

makomako is a New York-based professional Kintsugi artist. She is recognized for her expertise in restoring ceramics and diverse materials, including porcelain, Yixing clay, bamboo, agate, jade, and glass, using natural urushi lacquer and precious metals such as pure gold. Each repair is both functional and poetic, transforming fractures into visible landscapes of memory.

Her practice is rooted in traditional craftsmanship, drawing from training under renowned urushi master Gen Saratani and further studies with master artisans in Japan and China, and urushi tapping in Joboji, one of the few regions in Japan where natural urushi is still harvested.

Her works have been exhibited in Contemplating at Ease (theBLANC, 2023) and IROHA Lake of the Heart (CIBONE Brooklyn, 2023). In addition to private commissions, she leads workshops and collaborations, sharing the quiet philosophy of wabi-sabi and the enduring spirit of Kintsugi with a wider audience.

Instagram:
@makomako.kintsugi @kintsugiclass.makomako

RedNote: 纽约金缮makomako