BOOK REVIEW: KINTSUGI – FINDING STRENGTH IN IMPERFECTION BY CÉLINE SANTINI
After about three weeks of not being able to read, I finally picked up this book. No matter how hard I tried earlier, my mind just wouldn’t settle into any book. So, I gave up for a while and spent my free time watching movies, series, and listening to my favorite music.
Whenever I’m in this kind of phase, I usually turn to books like Ikigai, Hygge, or Lykke. This time, I chose Kintsugi.
“Kintsugi” means Golden Joinery. The author beautifully explains this Japanese art form through old stories, personal anecdotes, and reflections. One story that really stood out to me was about Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. When his favorite tea bowl broke, he sent it back to China for repair. But when it returned, it was poorly mended and could not even hold liquid. Disappointed, he turned to Japanese artisans, who repaired it using lacquer mixed with powdered gold. This was the birth of the art of kintsugi. Doesn’t that sound fascinating?
Santini skillfully draws parallels between broken pottery and people who go through difficult times. Just as kintsugi requires patience, she encourages us to be patient with ourselves while putting together the “broken pieces” of our lives. She advises us to rebuild with care, nurture good thoughts, and embrace the process of healing.
One of her key reminders is that, like a newly repaired bowl, we too need time to harden and grow stronger after hardship. The repaired cup, with golden seams, is not only more beautiful but also stronger than before—and in the same way, the “new you” that emerges after struggles carries more resilience, wisdom, and strength.
The book also underlines the impermanence of things. Time moves on, change is inevitable, and kintsugi becomes a powerful metaphor for existence itself.
I loved how uplifting and motivating this book is. It offers not only wisdom but also comfort—a gentle reminder that even in our imperfections, we can find beauty, strength, and a stronger version of ourselves.