Why Kintsugi: The Art of Healing?
What is the art of healing, you might wonder? Healing requires damage to take place first—it is the transformation of brokenness into strength. In contrast to the Western drive for perfection and the concealment of scars, Japan’s Kintsugi philosophy shines a light on our flaws. Through gilding the cracks of broken ceramics with gold, Kintsugi highlights both literal and figurative imperfections, transforming them into something more beautiful and resilient. This art encourages us to embrace fragility and cherish life’s imperfections, teaching that nothing is beyond repair.
Kintsugi’s philosophy is finding a parallel in modern medicine. Historically, medicine sought to repair by masking wounds or replacing damaged parts. Today, with the rise of regenerative medicine, early diagnosis, and innovations such as exoskeletons, healing is shifting toward total recovery—and even improvement—by using the knowledge and insights gained from past injuries. By acknowledging and learning from these scars, both medicine and Kintsugi teach us resilience and renewal.
This study tour will bring together researchers, clinicians, engineers, and designers to explore how the resilience captured in Japanese culture inspires the future of medicine. Like Kintsugi itself, the shift to innovative healing technologies takes time, but the outlook is profoundly transformative. Through this journey, participants will not only witness but embody the art of healing in their work.