Reframing Setbacks, as part of the Creative Process
Kintsugi (金継ぎ, "golden joinery"), also known as kintsukuroi (金繕い, "golden repair"),[1] is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum; the method is similar to the maki-e technique.[2][3][4] As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.[5]Broken is Beautiful, Unexpected and Unique
Kintsugi as a Methodology
Iteration: Reframing setbacks and failures as part of the process
As a philosophy, kintsugi is similar to the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, an embracing of the flawed or imperfect.[10][11] Japanese aesthetics values marks of wear from the use of an object. This can be seen as a rationale for keeping an object around even after it has broken; it can also be understood as a justification of kintsugi itself, highlighting cracks and repairs as events in the life of an object, rather than allowing its service to end at the time of its damage or breakage.[12] The philosophy of kintsugi can also be seen as a variant of the adage, "Waste not, want not".[13]
Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, can be seen as a metaphor for innovation. Kintsugi involves repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer, highlighting the fractures and creating a new, unique piece of art that celebrates the object's history rather than hiding it.
Innovation often involves taking something that is broken or outdated and finding new ways to make it work, just as kintsugi takes broken pottery and transforms it into something new and beautiful. Like the gold lacquer used in kintsugi, innovation can highlight the flaws and imperfections of the original object, turning them into strengths and creating something that is stronger and more valuable.
Furthermore, the process of kintsugi requires creativity, experimentation, and an openness to change. In the same way, innovation requires creativity, experimentation, and a willingness to take risks and try new things.
Just as kintsugi creates something new and unique out of broken pottery, innovation can lead to new products, services, and ideas that can transform industries and change the world. And just as kintsugi requires patience and attention to detail, innovation often requires perseverance and a willingness to keep trying even when faced with setbacks or failures.
Overall, kintsugi serves as a powerful metaphor for innovation, reminding us that even broken things can be transformed into something beautiful and valuable with the right tools, techniques, and mindset.