Haruchan： Hi everyone! Coming to you from Silicon Valley, we bring you our candid, casual chat. On this podcast, we talk loosely about our lives, work, relationships, and our real daily lives in the US, just like we're hanging out and chatting with a friend at a cafe.
Natsuchan： Alright, today's segment of Natsuchan's Japanese Introduction Corner is starting!
Haruchan： Yay!
Natsuchan： The Japanese word I'm introducing today is "Kintsugi".
Haruchan： Kintsugi! This might be my first time hearing that word.
Natsuchan： Really? Okay, then I have a question for you, Haruchan.
Haruchan： Okay.
Natsuchan： If you dropped your favorite plate or mug and it cracked, what would you do?
Haruchan： Hmm, if it cracked... well, first I'd be shocked.
Natsuchan： Definitely shocked.
Haruchan： I'd be shocked... but honestly, in the end, I'd probably end up throwing it away. If it's broken, it can be dangerous, and I'd think I can't use it anymore.
Natsuchan： Yeah, that makes sense. I would think the same way. But in Japan, there's actually a traditional technique—or maybe a mindset?—called Kintsugi.
Haruchan： Ooh, I see.
Natsuchan： To explain Kintsugi simply,
Haruchan： Yeah!
Natsuchan： Kintsugi is a method of repairing broken pottery using lacquer and gold powder. Instead of just trying to restore it back to its original state, the technique intentionally highlights the cracks and turns them into a beautiful feature.
Haruchan： Oh wow! So they intentionally show where it broke.
Natsuchan： Exactly.