A delicate Kintsugi tea bowl by Michiko Shida, crafted from dark clay with a glossy, dark green-petrol partial glaze. The original shards were rejoined using the traditional hon-kintsugi method, employing urushi Japanese lacquer and glue made from glutinous rice or wheat flour. The cracks on the exterior were painted over with urushi Japanese lacquer, embellished with Japanese hirofun gold leaf, and then polished.


Michiko Shida (born 1977 in Niigata, Japan) is a ceramic artist living in Frankfurt am Main. Her stoneware vessels feature clean lines and a limited palette. Her work focuses on ceramics for everyday use – functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. It blends Japanese roots with German craftsmanship.


This handcrafted piece is part of a series created in collaboration with Tee Kontor Kiel, where broken ceramic and porcelain items are given a new lease on life through the Kintsugi technique.


You can find more information about broken ware in my blog articles “Broken Ware – The First Trace of a Life Journey” and “From Broken Ware to Kintsugi Treasures: A Journey of Ceramics”