Kintsugi and a Quiet Moment of Reflection in The Hague

A hands-on workshop with Kintsugi master Masafumi Imai visiting the Netherlands from Japan

This autumn, I am delighted to welcome Kintsugi master Masafumi Imai from Japan to host an in-person workshop in The Hague.

In June of this year, we held two online workshops titled The Philosophy of Kintsugi, where we explored the values and aesthetic sensibilities embedded in this traditional art form.

This upcoming session is a continuation of that experience - now with the chance to engage hands-on and discover the world of Kintsugi through direct practice.

Kintsugi is not only a technique for repairing broken ceramics, but also a mindful process of honouring the memories and meaning held in objects and time.

Instead of hiding the cracks, it highlights them with gold, revealing the story each piece carries.

In this workshop, you will be guided through two essential Kintsugi techniques and have the opportunity to experience them for yourself.

We look forward to sharing this special moment with you.

A scene from a workshop that was previously held in Japan

Workshop Programme

– Experience of the bonding process– Experience of the gold powder finishing process

About the bonding process:

If you have a ceramic item you wish to repair, please feel free to bring it with you.

If the condition allows, and the instructor confirms it is suitable for the session, you will be able to try bonding it using urushi lacquer.

If the damage is too complex for a same-day repair, you will be offered a ceramic piece prepared in advance by the organisers for the bonding practice.

About the gold powder process:

You will use a prepared ceramic piece provided by the organisers to practise applying the gold powder finishing (kintsugi maki).

Workshop Details

🗓️ Date: Sunday, 30 November 2025

🕰️ Time: 14:00–16:00

※Before the workshop, I (Chizu Matsushita) will guide a short inner reflection (meditation).　Although I am from Japan, I have only recently begun learning Kintsugi, and I have been deeply moved by its philosophy - cherishing objects, repairing them with natural materials so they can be used for a long time, honouring the individual stories contained in each vessel, and sensing our connection with nature. I would like to bring these elements into a short meditation and share a quiet moment with you. If you would like to join, please arrive by around 13:30. 🌱

🏠 Venue: De RuimteWitte de Withstraat 27, 2518 CP The Hague

🪙 Participation Fee: €80 (including materials) If you participate together with a family member or a close friend, the participation fee for the second and third person will be €60 each (including materials). Please transfer the amount by 27 November to the following account:

Account holder: Synergy Facilitation IBAN: NL72 ASNB 8844 8370 99

What to bring: – A ceramic item you would like to repair (if any)– Indoor slippers (the venue requires shoes to be removed; we recommend bringing slippers if you're sensitive to the cold)

Registration: Please fill in this form.

About the Instructor

Masafumi Imai – Kintsugi Master, based in Saitama, Japan

Masafumi began his formal training in Kintsugi in 2015. Since then, he has taught the art to over 400 students through private lessons at his home studio, workshops, and online classes.With deep respect for traditional methods, he seeks ways to bring Kintsugi into daily life as a practical, personal craft for modern times. In 2024, he began sharing Kintsugi internationally—starting with online sessions for participants in the Netherlands. This will be his first in-person workshop abroad.

Instagram: ＠kintsugiya.com_social/

Host & Interpreter

Chizu Matsushita – Coach, Facilitator, University Lecturer (based in The Hague)With 25 years of field experience in international organisations, I now work in coaching, facilitation, and university education, creating spaces where dialogue and transformation can unfold.

As a Japanese woman, I hold close the values of nature, attentiveness, and gentle reflection. I was deeply drawn to the philosophy of Kintsugi as a process of reconnecting—with ourselves, others, and the natural world. While I do not practise Kintsugi myself, I resonate deeply with the spirit of the craft and support my friend Masafumi Imai in sharing its beauty abroad.

During the workshop, I will also offer a short meditation to invite quiet reflection and renewal in the spirit of Kintsugi.

Contact: chizu@synergyfacilitation.com +31-(0)6-1362-0518