by IPJ Staff Writer Heather Grace
Kintsugi, or Kintsukuroi, literally translated means “gold joining.” It is the Japanese art of breaking & repairing things that are highly valued and/or special to the artist. Then, each piece is lovingly restored—put back together with gold, silver or platinum.
What was once whole has been made anew in a unique lovely way that can be celebrated, solely because it was broken. The places which were fractured are highlighted, becoming eloquently beautiful. Cracks are never obscured in Kintsugi. They intentionally become a focal point of this transformative art, because what may seem flawed is embraced.
Kintsugi acknowledges breakage and repair as a part of becoming the best version of oneself. Philosophically, this empoweringly artistic style treats scars as an essential aspect of all life.
In this way we see that our own cracks, the things that may break us physically, can become a symbol of our inner strength.
Much like Kintsugi, each of us with chronic illness have been broken. Our serious life-altering struggles should not make us feel as though we’ve been rendered useless and can be discarded. Never!
Each of us has power to move through our most difficult low points, becoming something new, surprising, beautiful. We should not disguise our struggles. They’re a part of us & we should learn to love and respect every aspect of who we are. Each of us should see our scars in a new light: as symbols of our transformation.
No matter what we’ve faced, we are strong and resilient. Each of us can come out of our darkest days & in time shine, brighter than ever before.
After all, our scars are not proof we have been broken, but that we have lived, grown & healed. We are all Kintsugi.
Intractable Pain Journal 