Latest news with #Kintsugi
Tokyo Weekender
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
The Beauty of Broken Things: The Artist Using Kintsugi To Heal Emotional Wounds
This article appeared in Tokyo Weekender Vol. 2, 2025. To read the entire issue, click here . On a quiet side street in Tokyo's Ogikubo neighborhood, sunlight streams through the windows of a small antique studio filled with ceramic fragments, brushes, powdered gold and bowls in various stages of repair. The air carries the earthy scent of lacquer while the yellow and silver trains of the Chuo-Sobu Line occasionally rumble by. This is the workplace and studio of kintsugi artist and teacher Yuki Otani. If you're even slightly interested in Japanese culture, you're likely familiar with the concept of kintsugi: the practice of repairing broken pottery with lacquer and gold, highlighting cracks rather than hiding them. Despite being a centuries-old practice, it resonates strongly with many people today, both within and outside Japan. It's easy to understand why; kintsugi offers a potent visual metaphor, an acknowledgment and honoring of fractures, an understanding that healing has its own unique beauty. Otani, who goes by the name 'Kintsugi Lady' online, uses ceramic repair as a conduit for emotional renewal. Her students, she notes, are often not just mending broken pottery, but healing parts of themselves. List of Contents: Golden Scars Fixing More Than Objects A Reverence for Imperfection A Future Melded Together Related Posts Golden Scars The word 'kintsugi' came into Otani's life during a period of recovery and reflection. Amid the stillness that followed a major surgery, she came across a simple phrase that resonated deeply: 'All my scars are golden.' The phrase is from 'Kintsugi,' a song by British singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin. The words gave shape to feelings she hadn't yet been able to fully face — the quiet ache of a body changed and the sense that the future she had once imagined was beginning to slip away. Her physical scars were healing little by little, but she didn't yet know how to tend to the wounds in her heart. The words worked like a quiet remedy — something she hadn't known she needed. That realization drew her to try kintsugi for herself. In learning to mend ceramics with gold, she began to see how care and beauty can emerge from change. For Otani, it became its own remedy — reminding her not to strive to erase her pain, but rather to live alongside it with grace. 'To me,' she says, 'kintsugi is a way of letting time become part of the beauty.' As her understanding of kintsugi deepened, Otani — who splits her time between Japan and the United Kingdom — began to notice its quiet echoes in her own cross-cultural life. 'My life itself feels like kintsugi,' she says. 'Not fully one thing or another, but a space in-between where different values meet and something new is created.' Otani's works often blend materials from both Japan and the UK. One notable piece is a Japanese teacup fused with a shard of British ceramic she found at a London flea market. It fit perfectly, as if by fate. This form of kintsugi is called yobitsugi, or 'call-and-join,' where a missing piece is replaced not by the original but by something wholly different. 'It's about finding harmony through what's been carried forward,' she says. 'It's also about gently honoring what something has been while listening closely to what it might become.' Fixing More Than Objects Kintsugi Lady's workshops, held in Tokyo, London and occasionally elsewhere, are about far more than technique. Participants come from all over the world, bringing with them not only broken bowls and cups but sometimes also fractured pieces of themselves. A woman attending her first workshop in Japan remained quiet through the session, silently concentrating. She returned a few days later and began to share her story, telling Otani that her home country was in the midst of war. Something about the process of kintsugi had spoken to her — not in words, but in the quiet, attentive rhythm of repair. 'My country is now in the middle of conflict, but one day, when things are stable, I want you to come teach kintsugi there,' she told Otani. That parting promise — 'Let's meet again' — felt like kintsugi itself. 'It felt like we were both trying to tend to our hibi — a Japanese word that means both 'daily life' and 'cracks' — with care, and carry them toward a better future,' Otani says. In another session, a British woman painstakingly repaired a vase that belonged to a shop she once ran with her late husband; a honeymooning couple mended a mug full of memories; a mother and daughter from Taiwan laughed about the plate their cat had broken, now transformed into a 'collaborative art piece.' Even an office worker in a business suit, emotionally drained from her work, left a workshop saying, 'Kintsugi blew all my stress away.' These moments, Otani says, are proof that kintsugi isn't just about objects — it's a way of being. 'It's a lens for how we see the beauty in the world, and how we choose to live in it.' A Reverence for Imperfection In a world driven by disposability and constant consumption, kintsugi asks us not only to consider what we throw away but to reflect on why we do so. 'People often think it makes sense to replace what's broken,' Otani says. 'But kintsugi invites us to pause, to touch the flaw and to listen to the story it carries.' Often, she adds, the pieces that undergo kintsugi aren't antiques or art objects but rather everyday things like bowls, plates and cups — items with quiet histories and personal significance. In this way, kintsugi becomes not only a sustainable practice but a form of emotional ecology — a way of reimagining how we define care, worth and connection. Otani has also begun incorporating materials that reflect this way of thinking into her artistic practice. Through a kintsugi volunteer initiative in the earthquake-affected Noto Peninsula, she met people who harvest and refine urushi — the natural lacquer essential to the craft. 'Many of the people I've met there, who harvest and refine urushi, are not only the foundation of this tradition, but also survivors. Despite the hardship, they continue working to protect what's been passed down.' She now uses some of that lacquer in her workshops, allowing participants to connect with Noto not just through stories but through the material itself — letting their hands encounter a place and its people through the act of mending. This experience also led her to begin planting her own lacquer trees, nurturing a future in which people, craft and nature grow together. A Future Melded Together Otani is currently developing workshops in collaboration with overseas museums and educational institutions, and she hopes to publish a book that captures her reflections and experiences through the lens of kintsugi. Her approach is not about instruction, but about creating open spaces where people can explore and respond to the practice in their own way — through the textures of their personal stories and cultural backgrounds. 'Kintsugi is about fixing — but it's never fixed,' she says. 'It takes many forms. It's simply a quiet way to care for something loved. For some, it's art. For others, a path to healing. What matters is that each person can find their own way into it.' More Info At Gallery Rokujigen in Ogikubo, Otani offers a simplified, one-day version of her kintsugi sessions. To book, DM her on Instagram . Related Posts Yuri Horie's Glittering, Technicolor, Maximalist World An Experiment in Dye: Buiasou's Ingenious, Modern Indigo Creations Daisuke Shimura: One Of Japan's Most Inventive Plant Artists
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE NXT star Stephanie Vaquer reveals powerful inspiration behind her iconic look
Image via WWE Stephanie Vaquer , the reigning WWE NXT Women's Champion , is all set to defend her title against Jordynne Grace at WWE NXT Battleground on May 25. While fans are gearing up for the high-stakes clash, many have been curious about another aspect of the wrestler - her striking face paint. Often seen adorning the side of her face with a golden pattern, Vaquer's look is more than just for show - it tells a deeply personal story. Inspired by ancient Japanese art and personal pain The Chilean-born wrestler recently revealed that her signature face paint is inspired by the traditional Japanese art form of Kintsugi . In an interview with WrestleZone, Vaquer explained that Kintsugi, which translates to 'golden repair,' is a practice where broken pottery is mended using gold or silver. The idea is not to hide imperfections, but to highlight them, embracing flaws as part of an object's unique history. WWE NXT's Stephanie Vaquer reveals hidden meaning behind face paint, feels at home in USA For Vaquer, the symbolism is especially meaningful. Early in her wrestling career, she suffered a facial fracture in just her second professional match. Instead of letting that injury define her negatively, she turned it into a source of strength. The paint that now runs down her face represents the fracture - and more importantly, the healing that followed. It is a daily reminder of the pain she endured and the resilience that carried her through. Known in the wrestling world as 'The Dark Angel,' Vaquer has made a significant impact in a short time since joining WWE. Prior to her NXT debut, she carved her path across global promotions like NJPW, Stardom, AEW, and Mexico's CMLL. In WWE, she made history by becoming the first South American woman to win a title, and even held both the NXT Women's and NXT North American titles simultaneously - a rare feat. Vaquer has spoken passionately about representing the NXT women's division, calling it the 'best women's division on the planet.' She credits her journey through hardship, including sleeping on kitchen floors and enduring harsh conditions - as essential to shaping the fighter she is today. As Vaquer prepares to face Jordynne Grace this Sunday, speculation is swirling that she might soon be headed to the main WWE roster. If she drops the title, many believe it will mark her transition to either Raw or SmackDown. Whether or not that happens, one thing is certain - Stephanie Vaquer's journey, like her face paint, is a story of strength forged through struggle. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
How Leaders Can Reframe Negative Language To Build Stronger Teams
Reframing language isn't about ignoring challenges. It's about choosing words that empower teams. When Naseem Rochette was hit by a car walking through a pedestrian crosswalk and run over three times, the question wasn't how she'd recover. The doctors questioned whether she'd survive at all. Out of that unimaginable moment came a powerful shift. Rather than labeling the event as a trauma alone, she's calling it her 'Unbreakable Day.' Inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which is repairing broken pottery with gold, Rochette embraced her physical and emotional scars as essential parts of her story. 'This mental shift initiated my reframing,' she explains. 'I learned that I control my narrative and am much stronger than I thought.' Now a sales leader at Databricks and author of The Unexpected Benefits of Being Run Over, Rochette transformed her trauma into a leadership philosophy. At its core? The radical power of reframing. The language we use is just the beginning. Words shape our reality. In leadership, the way challenges are framed inspires action or instills fear. Rochette learned firsthand that reframing language isn't about sugarcoating difficulty; it's about choosing words that unlock clarity. By positioning setbacks as part of a broader path to growth, leaders empower their teams to see beyond the immediate challenge. This conscious use of empowering language helps teams stay grounded during uncertainty. Early in her recovery, she clung to an outdated internal script: 'Accepting help was a weakness.' She was a strong leader who was the one offering help. How could she now be the one asking for it? But as her reality changed, so did her words. By sharing her vulnerability with her team, she turned what might have felt like a professional liability into a trust-building superpower. 'People felt comfortable sharing their own difficulties and celebrating each other's milestones,' she says. The result? Less burnout. Successful leaders are highly intentional with language. Rochette calls this 'positive bias'—a conscious choice to use words and body language that generate momentum rather than resistance. It's about fueling forward motion, especially when challenges feel insurmountable. 'This doesn't mean pretending everything is easy,' she clarifies. 'It means we consciously use empowering language to cultivate resilience, foster hope and guide teams through uncertainty.' That includes rejecting narratives of victimhood. Here's the difference between positive phrases versus negative ones: After being run over three times, Naseem Rochette didn't just recover. She rewrote the script. Her ... More story is a lesson in leading with heart. Perhaps Rochette's most difficult leadership transformation was unlearning the belief that strength equals self-sufficiency. 'I had to consciously dismantle my ingrained mindset,' she admits. 'Learning to accept support wasn't my M.O., but it changed everything.' By welcoming help, she allowed her colleagues to participate in her healing. 'I've always been a joy seeker,' she adds. 'But now I'm also a joy enabler.' Rewriting internal narratives takes time and effort. Here are a few strategies to start: Setbacks aren't just about what happens to us but what we choose to call it. And in that choice lies the power to lead with strength. 'By demonstrating vulnerability as a leader, we remind others that breaking doesn't mean you're broken,' Rochette concludes.
India.com
18-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- India.com
7 Traditional Japanese Techniques For Better Mental Health And Emotional Balance
Samta Pahuja May 18, 2025 Combine what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Walk slowly in a forest to reduce stress hormones and clear your mind. Encourages patience, grace, and mindfulness. Kaizen focuses on small, consistent changes over time and improves daily life without pressure. Naikan means 'looking inside.' What have I received? What have I given? What troubles have I caused? Kintsugi is the art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Symbolizes healing and embracing flaws. Wabi-Sabi finds beauty in the imperfect, incomplete, and impermanent. Cultivates peace, acceptance, and resilience. Read Next Story
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vertex Inc (VERX) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth Amid Strategic Investments
Q : It seems that you've been highlighting more recently some larger customers who had homegrown solutions who are converting to a packaged software solution like Vertex. Can you just give us a sense, is there anything going on in terms of product or feedback from those customers, why now is the time to be migrating to a packaged software solution? A : David DeStefano, CEO: Two main factors are driving this shift. First, the growing complexity of e-invoicing mandates is pushing companies to seek more future-ready solutions. Second, increased audit pressure is making it unsustainable for companies to rely on manual efforts and point solutions. Our comprehensive suite, including e-invoicing and compliance, is prompting customers to reconsider their current setups. Vertex Inc ( NASDAQ:VERX ) announced an equity investment in Kintsugi, a startup focused on AI technology for indirect tax, which could enhance their offerings in the SMB market. Story Continues Q: The direct customers did decline sequentially. Can you help us understand, is there just some more low-end customers with like really low ARPUs that are coming out of the model there? A: John Schwab, CFO: Yes, the decline is primarily due to lower-end customers migrating away. Our focus remains on scaled customers, which grew by about 15% this quarter. The gross revenue retention remains strong at 95%, indicating our main focus is on larger, more stable customers. Q: I wanted to hit on the macro and what you're seeing out there. Really great to hear that there's no change in the buyer behavior. But just curious like from your perspective, why you think you're not seeing that macro volatility show up in the model? A: David DeStefano, CEO: Tax is becoming a higher priority in strategic discussions, especially with the rise of e-invoicing mandates. Our diverse set of wins across ecosystems and continued investment in channels, particularly with Microsoft and Azure, are helping us maintain a strong pipeline and mitigate macro volatility. Q: Could you talk about how the competitive environment in e-invoicing comparison contrast to maybe your core indirect tax market? And has there been any impacted deals as a result of ecosio not having as broad of country coverage as others in the market? A: David DeStefano, CEO: Most competitors focus solely on e-invoicing without integrating compliance, which is a core part of our offering. Our combined VAT compliance and e-invoicing solution is a significant differentiator. We have coverage in major economies and are well-positioned for upcoming mandates in France and Germany. Q: Can you discuss what you're seeing in terms of new logo growth? Anything in terms of the composition of enterprise versus mid-market would be helpful. A: David DeStefano, CEO: We saw solid growth in new logos across key ecosystems. SAP and Oracle tend to bring in scaled customers, while Microsoft Dynamics sees fewer scaled customers initially. Our strategy is to land and expand, with most wins in the enterprise market. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
