― 漆で繕うことの必然。その美しさ。
世界へ、次世代へと繋げる、技と心。 

日本の信仰心と美意識、そして職人の技が時間をかけて生み出した金継ぎ。 
 歴史に残る文化財の数々は漆で繕われてきたからこそ残存し、また、私たちの身の回りの大切な物も、漆で修復するからこそ再び日常へと還ることができます。 

そこには揺るぎない強さがあり、その美しさは人々を魅了してやみません。
一方で、日本で古来より続く”漆工芸としての金継ぎ”について、どれほどの人が知っているでしょうか。 

漆工芸の縮小と衰退が叫ばれる昨今。 

漆で繕うことの必然を理解し、その技を守り磨き伝えていくことは、未来へとこの美しい伝統文化を繋げていくことにほかなりません。更にそれは、世界をより持続可能にする手段にもなり得ます。 
   「国際金継ぎ師協会」は、専門的な知識と技術をもつ金継ぎ師と、漆で繕う意味や意義、技法を伝える講師の育成、さらにその活動を支援します。 

そして、金継ぎ・漆継ぎによる修復、講座・講演・授業などの普及活動を通して、漆を使用した本来の金継ぎをより多くの人々へ、そして世界へと広げ、次世代にこの技と心を繋げて参ります。 

一般社団法人 国際金継ぎ師協会 代表理事 

古屋容子 

—The inevitability of repair with urushi. Its profound beauty.
 A craft and spirit to be carried into the world, and into the next generation. 

Kintsugi is a practice born over time from Japan’s deep-rooted spirituality, refined aesthetic sensibilities, and the masterful skills of its artisans. 

Many cultural treasures that endure today have survived because they were repaired with urushi lacquer. In the same way, the cherished objects in our daily lives can return to use and meaning through restoration with urushi. Within this practice lies an unwavering strength, and a beauty that continues to captivate all who encounter it. 

Yet, how many people truly understand kintsugi as a traditional urushi craft, passed down through generations? 

Today, as the field of urushi craftsmanship faces decline, it becomes ever more important to recognize the necessity of repairing with urushi, and to preserve, refine, and transmit these techniques. In doing so, we ensure that this remarkable cultural tradition is carried forward into the future. Moreover, it offers a pathway toward a more sustainable world. 

The International Kintsugi Artisans Association is dedicated to nurturing skilled kintsugi practitioners with specialized knowledge and techniques, as well as training instructors who can convey the meaning, value, and methods of urushi-based repair. We also actively support their work. 

Through restoration using kintsugi and urushi-tsugi, along with educational initiatives such as workshops, lectures, and academic programs, we strive to share authentic urushi-based kintsugi with a wider audience—both in Japan and across the world—passing on this craft and its spirit to the next generation. 

Yoko Furuya
Chairman of the International Kintsugi Master Association