金継ぎ | golden joinery
Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art that repairs broken ceramics by not only mending the cracks, but unapologetically accentuating the beauty of the brokenness as part of the piece’s unique history and identity. The veins of gold poignantly embody mono no ware, which roughly translates to the acceptance and appreciation of the transience and impermanence of life.
In a world obsessed with perfection, kintsugi offers a powerful counter-narrative. Each golden seam tells a story of transformation and resilience, reminding us that our challenges and changes are not flaws to be hidden, but rather essential parts of who we are. Kintsugi reminds us to accept the transformations in ourselves and the world around us, and to boldly embrace our whole selves — scars, imperfections and beauty.
nice to meet you
I'm Joanne Ke Edelman, a kintsugi artist, leadership coach, and venture builder based in Washington, DC. Deeply inspired by the kintsugi philosophy and the appreciation for the beauty of imperfection, I traveled to Nara, Japan to study with a master of traditional kintsugi. Today, I combine traditional and modern techniques in my practice, staying true to the philosophical underpinning of kintsugi by giving broken ceramics a second life.
My work spans collaborations with cherished pieces belonging to individual clients, partnerships with Michelin-starred restaurants across the US, and transformative workshops for teams and organizations. I was also deeply honored to be commissioned to create a kintsugi piece for President Biden to present to Prime Minister Kishida during his official visit in April 2024.
