From “pottery shards” to “masterpiece.” A plate embodying the essence of kintsugi, filling the lost half with beauty.
【Background】 This flat plate is an “Old Karatsu (E-Karatsu)” piece made from the Momoyama period to the early Edo period. Originally, approximately 50% of the rim was significantly chipped away, a condition that would typically be treated as a “pottery shard” for reference purposes. We restored the missing semicircle using modern techniques and sensibilities, reviving it as a single, complete vessel.
【Design and Highlights】
Jet-black lacquer and gold maki-e: The extensive resin-restored area is coated in a deep, lustrous “jet-black” lacquer. Delicate arabesque patterns are then painted over it in gold. This sharp contrast between black and gold creates a dramatic beauty, set against the characteristic warmth of the ancient Karatsu clay and the textured crackle (kannuki) of the glaze.
The Aesthetics of Rebirth: This piece exemplifies the role of restoration, demonstrating how even a half-lost vessel can be transformed into such a magnificent plate through kintsugi (golden joinery). The fusion of the old and the new decoration imbues it with fresh artistic expression.
【Suggested Uses】 A versatile flat plate measuring approximately 5 to 6 sun (15-18 cm). The black areas create a framing effect that makes food stand out, making it ideal for serving vibrantly colored ingredients or seasonal Japanese sweets. It also serves beautifully as a decorative plate, inviting appreciation of its dramatic restoration story.
【Specifications】
Origin/Style: Old Karatsu (E-Karatsu)
Techniques: Kogetsu (resin restoration), Makie (black lacquer finish with gold)
Shape: Flat Plate
Uses: Dessert plate, serving plate, display plate, decorative piece
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