From Viral Sensation to Global Revival: ANYTSUGI Launches Authentic Kintsugi Kits, Turning Brokenness into Beautiful Beginnings
A new brand by celebrated Kintsugi artist Sho Takeshita invites the world to embrace “Re-Creation” with natural materials and English-friendly guides.
The ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is mended with lacquer and adorned with gold, is experiencing a global renaissance. At the forefront of this movement is Sho Takeshita, a Tokyo-based Kintsugi artist whose mesmerizing restoration videos have garnered over 2.4 million views across social media. Now, Takeshita is taking this unique philosophy to a wider audience with the launch of his new brand, “ANYTSUGI,” and its flagship “ANYTSUGI Kintsugi Kit,” available since March 1st on its official website.
ANYTSUGI’s core philosophy, “Connecting Memories, Connecting the World,” redefines breakage not as an end, but as “Re-Creation”—a new beginning. This embodies Japan’s “mottainai” spirit, a deep-seated respect for objects that discourages waste, and the “wabi-sabi” aesthetic, which finds profound beauty in imperfection and transience. Instead of concealing flaws, Kintsugi highlights them, transforming cracks into shimmering golden veins that tell a richer story of the object’s journey.
The global fascination with Kintsugi is undeniable. Data from Google Trends reveals that worldwide search interest for “kintsugi” has surged by approximately 6.2 times over the past decade. This growing interest reflects a broader societal shift away from disposable culture towards more sustainable values, where the philosophy of turning imperfection into beauty resonates deeply across diverse fields, from art to design and personal growth.
ANYTSUGI aims to make this profound art accessible to everyone, regardless of their prior experience. The brand’s commitment to authenticity and user-friendliness is evident in its meticulously crafted kits.
What Makes ANYTSUGI Kits Unique?
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Commitment to Authenticity: Unlike many DIY kits that rely on synthetic adhesives, ANYTSUGI uses traditional natural lacquer (urushi) and real gold powder. This not only ensures a historically accurate restoration but also makes the mended pieces food-safe for everyday use.
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Beginner-Friendly Guidance: To demystify this intricate craft, each kit includes a comprehensive, full-color instruction booklet spanning over 20 pages. Supervised by Sho Takeshita himself, this guide leverages insights from his viral videos, offering clear, photo-rich explanations for common beginner challenges.
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Sustainable Design: Echoing the Kintsugi philosophy, the tools provided—such as spatulas and brushes—are selected for their quality and durability, designed for repeated use rather than disposal. This encourages users to cherish not just the mended objects, but also the instruments of their creation.
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Global Accessibility: Recognizing Kintsugi’s international appeal, the kits come with full English instructions and video support, breaking down language barriers and allowing “mottainai” and “wabi-sabi” to reach a worldwide audience.
Sho Takeshita, whose journey into Kintsugi began after a cherished tea bowl inherited from his grandmother broke, shares his passion: “The moment something breaks isn’t an end; it’s the start of a new story. Through comments on my videos, I’ve seen how many people worldwide wish to revive cherished items with their own hands. This kit isn’t just about repair; it’s about offering a rich experience of ‘Re-Creation’ as you engage with your pottery.”
Product Lineup
ANYTSUGI offers a range of products to suit different needs and interests:
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Kintsugi Kit (Gold 0.1g / Silver 0.1g): Priced at ¥28,100 (tax included), this kit provides all necessary traditional materials, including gold and silver powder, and a step-by-step guide for beginners. Mended items are safe for use as tableware.
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Kintsugi Kit PREMIUM (Gold 0.1g / Silver 0.1g with Antique Japanese Broken Plate): For ¥41,800 (tax included), this premium kit includes everything from the standard kit, plus a genuine Japanese antique plate over 100 years old, already broken and awaiting restoration.
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Imari Ware Teacup (Kintsugi Finished in Matte Gold): A finished product for ¥25,000 (tax included), this is a Meiji-era Imari ware teacup beautifully re-created with Kintsugi and finished with pure matte gold powder, offering a unique blend of antique charm and modern elegance.
Looking ahead, ANYTSUGI is set to expand its reach, with international shipping already available to Japan, the United States, India, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea, and plans to extend to European countries soon. The brand envisions a future where Kintsugi workshops are held globally, fostering a vibrant community of “people who connect memories” and celebrating the enduring beauty found in imperfection. This initiative promises to further entrench Kintsugi as a significant element of global lifestyle trends, demonstrating how ancient Japanese wisdom can offer profound lessons in sustainability and aesthetic appreciation for generations to come.
