Kintsugi: Recognizing Beauty in Brokenness
September 26 – October 1, 2027
Join us for a taste of Eastern Asian Art and Spirituality through the Center for Lifelong Learning during Fall Craft Week at Montreat.
Guided by Dr. Takamiya, a master restorer and professor from a premier Japanese arts university, you will learn foundational Kintsugi techniques through hands-on practice and guided instructions. This event creates a contemplative space to reflect on the wisdom of the restoration of process rooted in the history and philosophy of Kintsugi.
Kintsugi, a centuries-old Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer and gold, offers a profound metaphor for acceptance and healing. Just as pottery breaks, we do, too. And, just as pottery can also be mended with care and appreciation, our own wounds and imperfections can be sources of wisdom that yield new perspectives, inner strengths, and openings to something more meaningful and profound. The restoration process of Kintsugi also fosters a deeper appreciation for what we have, prompting mindful stewardship and sustainability in a consumption-driven world.
This is an invitation to healing, mindfulness, and transformation—one golden seam at a time.
Interpretation services will be provided by Asako Akai Ferguson.
This event is integrated into the communal offerings of Fall Craft Week at Montreat. Participants are invited to engage in additional morning and evening activities—full list available soon.
Location
Montreat Conference and Retreat Center, 329 North Carolina Terrace, Montreat, NC 28757
Facilitators
YoKo Takamiya, Ph.D. graduated from Tama Art University Graduate School of Sculpture (Master of Fine Arts) and Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Department of Conservation and Restoration Technology (Master of Fine Arts, Doctor of Fine Arts). She teaches sculpture, crafts, and cultural property preservation at many universities, including Tama Art University, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tamagawa University, and Jissen Women's University, while also working on cultural art restoration outside of the universities, and holds Kintsugi classes for a wide range of students at lifelong learning centers and culture centers. She is also a curator, and her activities are wide-ranging, including restoring cultural properties and her art activities. She is one of Japan's leading cultural restoration experts, who conveys the long art history while teaching the importance of preserving art using restoration techniques.
Examples of Dr. Takamiya's work:
HERE
Asako Akai Ferguson works a multifaceted cross-cultural consultant and Japanese-English interpreter/translator, with a background as an editor and writer for Japanese publishing. Passionate about building bridges between people and ideas, Asako uses language, storytelling, and cultural insight to promote mutual understanding and peaceful global dialogue.
Schedule
This event begins on Sunday, September 26, with check-in from 3:30–5:30 PM at Assembly Inn. Room check-in begins at 4:00 PM, followed by dinner, orientation, and our first evening session.
Please refer to the Fall Craft Week website for a more detailed schedule.
Program Fee
The program fee for this event is $575 (including materials fee). Housing and meals are not included; please see the information below for details on arranging your lodging.
All balances are due August 26, 2027. Cancelations must be received before August 26, 2027, to receive a refund of the program fee minus the deposit.
We don't want cost to be a barrier to anyone who wishes to participate. Montreat Scholarships are available for this Craft Week.
Application available here.
The Center for Lifelong Learning also has financial assistance available. To apply, please fill out
this form. Please note that the CLL's financial aid can only go towards the program fee and does not apply to travel, housing, meals, or materials cost.
If you are applying for financial aid, you can still register to hold your spot; simply select "pay by check" when you get to the payment page.
Accommodations & Meals
Register directly for housing and/or meals through Montreat. Check back here for the link to register soon.
Meals are included in your Montreat housing registration. Individual meals may be purchased with an advanced reservation. For meal reservations, please call the front desk of Assembly Inn at 828-419-9844.
Registration will close on September 17, 2027, or when the event reaches capacity. Fall Craft Week is a very popular event, so be sure to make your reservations before space runs out.
What to Bring
Each participant should bring an item to be restored. It can be chipped (kake and hotsu), cracked (nyu) or broken (ware). Broken parts need to be made of pottery or porcelain and cannot be in more than three pieces. Chips must be ceramic, less than 2 cm (0.79 inch) long by 2 cm wide. More information is available on the
Examples & Guidelines page.
Please also bring an apron, or wear clothing suitable for artwork, as the process can get a little messy.
Contact
For questions about registration or for technical assistance, email lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu. For questions about the course content, please contact asakoakai@gmail.com.
More information about Fall Craft Week will be linked here soon.
For questions about Fall Craft Week, or about housing at Montreat, call 828-669-2911.
