Explore the craft behind the gold lines, and find the beauty in what's been broken. The Shingetsu (“New Moon”) kit introduces the Japanese art of kintsugi in a beginner’s boxed set, beautifully packaged to give, or to launch you on a hobby that preserves the life of your favourite ceramics. It includes extensive written and video-linked guidance to develop your skills beyond the first repair.
For a traditional urushi repair process with genuine gold and silver, see the Mangetsu kintsugi kit.
Materials and process
• Uses instant adhesive and epoxy putty for joining and filling, finished with real urushi (Japanese lacquer).
• The gold-coloured powder is brass, an alloy of copper and zinc. The silver-coloured powder is tin, with a darker colour than silver.
• Designed for beginners: the hands-on repair can be completed in a day, with curing time still to follow.
What's included
• Instructions: Printed booklet and links to extensive video instructions.
• Alteco instant glue gel and epoxy putty.
• Red urushi (Japanese lacquer) for use with brass powder; black urushi for use with tin powder.
• Tin powder and brass powder.
• Spatula, spoon, acrylic plate and brush.
• Wet and dry sandpaper: 400 grit and 1000 grit.
• Masking tape, cotton swabs, finger cot and plastic gloves.
• Two pieces of cotton for applying the brass and tin powders.
• Bottle for oil.
You will also need
• A cutting tool.
• Ethanol suitable for disinfection.
• Salad oil, canola oil or olive oil.
• Water, tissues and clear tape.
• Nail polish remover. Avoid products with a high water content.
• A4 copy paper or tracing paper.
Handling and storing urushi
• Urushi may cause a rash on contact with skin. Wear plastic gloves when handling it.
• If you experience rash-like symptoms, consult a doctor.
• Keep urushi away from high temperatures. Store it in a cool, dark place such as a refrigerator, especially in summer.
• CIRCOLO recommends using the urushi within approximately one year, and as soon as possible to preserve its quality. It takes longer to dry as it ages.
Repair time and care
• Repair time varies with the shape of the repair area, the damage, the season, temperature and humidity.
• CIRCOLO recommends leaving repaired pieces for about a month after completion to develop greater strength before use.
• Do not use repaired pieces over direct heat, in microwaves or in ovens.
• Do not leave repaired pieces in fridges or freezers, as this may cause deterioration.
• Do not soak them or leave anything wet on them for long periods, as this can cause peeling.
• Do not use a dishwasher or dish dryer. Wash gently with a soft, damp sponge and neutral dish soap.
• Repaired pieces will not be as strong as new. Do not hold them by repaired parts or put stress on those areas.
• Avoid knocking the repaired areas, as this can wear or peel the decoration.
• Store repaired pieces without stacking them.
Limitations after repair
• Ceramic pots and other vessels must not be used over direct heat for cooking.
• Pots, vases, teapots and other vessels must not hold water for long periods.
• Repaired mug handles, wine glass stems, cutlery and other thin-handled utensils cannot bear pressure or weight.
Box: 21 × 13 × 4 cm
CIRCOLO grew from Saran Matsushima’s ceramics practice in Tokyo’s Setagaya district. Her father’s pottery studio was a childhood playground; later, she took up pottery alongside office work and studied ceramics in Italy and Japan. She chose CIRCOLO, meaning “circle” in Italian, for a place where people could gather.
Teaching repair followed naturally from making pots. Matsushima wanted students to be able to mend the pieces they had made and become more attached to them through use. CIRCOLO opened its craft studio for ceramics and kintsugi in Todoroki in September 2023. Its Mangetsu and Shingetsu kits bring that teaching into the home.
Kintsugi (“golden joinery”) belongs to Japan’s long tradition of repairing pottery with urushi (tree-sap lacquer). Gold-decorated repairs became fashionable in the sixteenth century, closely associated with tea culture and the care of valued bowls. The lacquer joins the pieces; powdered gold decorates the repaired seams. Those visible repairs become part of the vessel’s appearance and record of use.
