When an object of common use, like a cup or saucer, cracks or catches stain it is discarded at once without a second thought. There is no reason to think otherwise. Unless there is a personal affinity no one would preserve the broken pieces of a ceramic. To a certain extent, this is the reflection of the pulse of society. Generally, only what’s worth having is valued and kept and even a slight variation in the dimensions of an object from the normal standards is considered a flaw. 
Contrary to this idea is the Japanese art of Kintsugi which refers to a process by which broken ceramics are fixed using a mix of lacquer, powdered gold, silver or platinum. This results in a design of intricate veins which run around the repaired object. These irregular lines are not seen as flaws but as a beauty element.
The art of Kintsugi, which means ‘golden joinery’, is thought to have begun sometime in the 15th century in Japan as craftsmen tried to find a method of repairing ceramics that would produce aesthetically pleasing creations.
Kintsugi’s significance is not limited to the field of restoring broken ceramics, it’s a thought-provoking notion that can be applied to our lives. For example, Kintsugi is related to the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi which states the importance of embracing imperfections in our lives.
The most immediate lesson that can be learned from Kintsugi is that we need to think carefully before designating something as useless. All resources are valuable and should therefore be treated accordingly. It also encourages us to live humbly and eliminate our tendency to focus on materialism.
Kintsugi teaches us to celebrate imperfections and that as human beings, imperfections are inevitable, whether in appearance, character or actions. Learning to accept our flaws is a process that will lead to a deeper sense of peace and fulfilment.
Accepting imperfections helps us to break free from the obsession of perfectionism which causes unnecessary stress and inhibiting creativity and productivity. The philosophy of Kintsugi art can potentially improve life in modern society. All we need to do is identify the areas where it can be effectively applied.
The 15th-century practice of kintsugi, meaning “to join with gold”, is a reminder to stay optimistic when things fall apart and to celebrate the flaws and missteps of life. I want to conclude with this quote by Leonard Cohen, “There’s a crack in everything. That’s how light gets in.”