WORKSHOP KINTSUGI

Kintsugi is translated as “golden joinery.” Kintsugi is said to have been developed to repair broken pottery and restore its ability to retain moisture. Gold is embedded into the cracked or chipped areas.

My current idea is to perform kintsugi by replacing the lacquer techniques with repairs using epoxy resin.

The exceptionally special Arita Iori Workshop experience involves learning the kintsugi method to repair broken ceramic fragments. If you or someone else possesses a precious, broken ceramic piece rendered unusable, you can restore it using kintsugi, transforming it into something even more refined and beautiful. New life is breathed into the ceramic. Learning this precious technique is only possible in Arita. Kintsugi

requires at least 2 days, 3 hours per day. Instructor: Mr. Tsuruta. English interpretation is available. Bring your broken ceramics to the workshop, and you can take home a beautifully restored piece using kintsugi within two days.

Fee
Trial fee: 1 person 1 day_¥18,000～（About 3 hours）3rd and subsequent times 1 day_¥9,000
Basic minimum time: approximately 3 hours is required.
If you bring in your own work, a minimum of 2 days is required to finish the work.
The time required to cure and polymerize the epoxy resin used for the base of the damaged piece is approximately 24 hours.
The epoxy resin used to sprinkle gold needs about 24 hours to cure and polymerize.

Japanese interpretation fee: 9,000 yen per day

reference

The toxicity of the epoxy resin
About the toxicity of the reaction type resin
Among adhesives and paints, those which use chemical reactions for their hardening and polymerization show a certain degree of toxicity.
For epoxy resins and polyurethane resins reactions between main resin ingredients and hardening agents are used, while for polyester resins, catalysts are used as hardening agents or accelerators.
Vinyl acetate emulsions (woodwork bonds), starch pastes, and hide glues, which use heat denaturation or evaporative loss of water to cure, are non-reaction adhesives. For example, alkyd-based varnish is a non-reaction type of paint.
On the other hand, though a one-liquid type, such as cyanoacrylate (superglue) which is cured by moisture in the air, has reactivity.

Reactive adhesives are considered to react with the human body and possess sensitizing properties, though the degree of reactivity varies.
As previously mentioned, the toxicity of resins to the human body only occurs when people are engaged in bonding or painting activities. Naturally, cured or hardened resins or paints lose their reactivity and are therefore considered non-toxic.
The toxicity of epoxy adhesives occurs when the base component (epoxy resin) and hardener (polyamide amine) are in liquid form. This means that if you forget to wear gloves and touch it with your hands before it sets, a reaction may occur. However, once cured (hardened), it becomes a three-dimensional resin structure, and the toxicity is virtually eliminated.
What are the hazards of epoxy adhesives?
Specifically, concern exists that the low molecular weight polyamine (polyamide amine) contained in the hardener can cause contact dermatitis skin reactions.
This resembles a lacquer rash.
When sanding the cured epoxy resin body, wear a mask and use a fan or blower to avoid inhaling dust.
If tools come into contact with epoxy resin, wipe them with tissue paper moistened with paint thinner. If epoxy resin adheres to skin, immediately rinse it off with water.