Repair of antique Rengetsu ceramics
As the first project in this blog, I would like to present a special series of works: In 2022, I restored seven ceramic pieces for the Swiss collector John Walker. Most of these works come from the Rengetsu-Yaki tradition, named after the Japanese artist and nun Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791–1875).
There is something special about working with antique ceramics. The history inherent in each piece invites you to let your imagination run wild. Every time I take such a piece out of the furo and apply another layer of varnish, I feel more connected than ever to the past and the society that created it.

Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791–1875) was a Japanese Buddhist nun, ceramic artist, and calligrapher of the late Edo and early Meiji periods. Born to a courtesan and a feudal lord, she was adopted shortly after birth and grew up in Kyoto. After personal tragedies, including the loss of two husbands and children, she decided to enter a monastery. Rengetsu became known for her poems and her unique ceramics, often decorated with her own calligraphy. Her works reflect a deep spiritual connection and an appreciation for the transience of life.

Restoring Rengetsu ceramics is a special honor. Her work has a playful lightness that is expressed in the style of her calligraphy and the natural forms of the ceramics. The contemplation of nature inherent in Rengetsu's works continues to inspire today. The Kintsugi repair of these antique pieces not only restores their functionality, but is also a bow to their history and their creator.
More about Ōtagaki Rengetsu:
Kyūsu
This kyūsu required repairs of both cracks and chipped areas. The areas were filled with sabi urushi, a mixture of tonoko (Japanese clay) and urushi, and then covered with layers of lacquer until they had the desired shape.
Shiboridashi & Chawan
This Shiboridashi and Chawan simply have cracks in the ceramic. An application of Urushi diluted with camphor oil allows the lacquer to penetrate the crack and seal it. The crack is then filled with Bengara Urushi, as with the broken areas, and finished with powdered gold.
Hanaire
In this Hanaire, the lower part has broken off and was remodeled using Ji Urushi, a filling compound made from Jinoko (Japanese fireclay) and Urushi.
Peel
On both bowls, missing areas were remodeled using using Ji Urushi, a filling compound made from Jinoko (Japanese fireclay) and Urushi.