Hello there! I’m Caitlin, and as you’ve likely gathered, this is my blog. Aside from the autobiographical details that might not hold much importance unless they’re in a dedicated blog post, let’s delve into the heart of this “about” section.

Now, about the name—Kintsugi. It could either be a term you’re familiar with or a completely new concept to you.

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using a special technique that turns the mended object into something even more beautiful and valuable. The philosophy behind kintsugi is to embrace the history and imperfections of the broken object, treating its damage as part of its story rather than something to be concealed. The repaired mug becomes a symbol of resilience, beauty in imperfection, and the idea that even though we might go through difficult times and challenges, we can still heal and become stronger, just like the mended ceramic piece.

So, in simple terms, kintsugi is like taking something broken, fixing it with precious materials, and turning it into a symbol of beauty, strength, and acceptance of imperfections.

In a personal sense, the concept of kintsugi can be related to faith and Christianity in a profound way. Just as kintsugi involves repairing broken pottery with precious metals, our own lives often go through moments of brokenness, challenges, and struggles. In the context of faith, these challenges could be times of doubt, loss, mistakes, or hardships that might make us feel broken or imperfect.

Christianity teaches that God’s love and grace can mend our brokenness, just like the precious metals used in kintsugi. When we experience difficulties, our faith encourages us to turn to God for healing, comfort, and restoration. Just as kintsugi transforms a broken object into something more beautiful, our faith teaches us that God can use our struggles and weaknesses to create something more profound within us.

Ultimately, the idea of kintsugi resonates with the message of redemption, restoration, and God’s ability to turn brokenness into something extraordinary, both in the context of the physical world and in our spiritual lives.

Highlighting key points: Am I of Japanese descent? No. Am I skilled in this craft? No, as I lack both the necessary resources and knowledge for metal-based repairs. Although I’ve previously engaged in pottery repair, I treat the cultural and artistic depth of kintsugi with utmost respect when intertwining it with my faith. It’s essential to acknowledge kintsugi’s deep connection to Japanese culture, and I am fully aware of this cultural ownership.

I want to make it clear that I am not trying to appropriate or assume another cultural identity. I genuinely apologize if my intentions seem unclear, but I want to stress that this is about my journey of faith. For years, kintsugi has been the only concept that truly resonated with me when facing moments of brokenness. This metaphor provided a tangible way for me to relate to my experiences.

Feel welcome to leave a comment below if you’re interested in discussing this further—I’m completely open to that. However, I want to be upfront that the chances of my altering the name are minimal. I am also fully aware that this metaphor is not an original concept on my part – I don’t think nor am I intending to be particularly clever but it does resonate with me deeply and personally. Please understand that my intention isn’t to be disrespectful; I’m merely striving to communicate my intentions clearly.