This matcha bowl, originally made during the Showa period (1926-1989), is a type of Oribe ware, known for its deep green glaze and bold, creative design. Oribe ware was inspired by Furuta Oribe, a samurai and tea master, and became popular for tea ceremonies due to its unique and innovative style.

When the bowl was broken, I restored it using the kintsugi method, which highlights the cracks with gold, turning damage into beauty. I used urushi lacquer to bond the pieces, filled the missing parts with lacquer mixed with wood powder and cotton, and added raden (mother-of-pearl) and eggshell. Finally, I dusted the cracks with real gold powder, giving the bowl a new, elegant look.

The techniques used for attaching the gold and embedding raden and eggshell come from traditional Japanese maki-e lacquerware. This method is rarely used in kintsugi, making this piece unique and special. It now stands as a beautiful example of how something broken can be made even more valuable through skill and care.

The inspiration behind "Green Storm: Oribe Ware and Kintsugi" stems from the philosophy of kintsugi, where imperfections are embraced as part of an object's history and beauty. Much like the calm after a storm, this piece represents renewal. The bold green glaze of Oribe ware evokes the calm, tranquil feeling of nature after rain, while the gleaming gold seams capture the rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds. By combining traditional kintsugi techniques with delicate raden and eggshell inlays, this work of art reflects the Japanese ideal of embracing flaws as a pathway to higher beauty.

The artistry of this piece lies in its combination of traditional materials and techniques. The matcha bowl itself is made of Oribe ware, a form of Japanese pottery known for its deep green glaze and smooth surface. The restoration process employed the ancient kintsugi method using urushi lacquer as a bonding agent, a material that has been central to Japanese craftsmanship for centuries.

To complete the restoration, I used gold powder to fill the cracks, creating a striking contrast between the green glaze and the radiant gold. Additionally, raden (mother-of-pearl) and eggshell were inlaid into the seams, drawing inspiration from maki-e lacquerware techniques, traditionally used for decorative purposes. This innovative adaptation of maki-e techniques into kintsugi elevates the bowl to a new artistic level.

Encased in a paulownia wood box, this matcha bowl is more than just a restored artifact—it is a living expression of Japanese aesthetics, where the past is honored while bringing something entirely new to life.

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