Agano-ware chawan repaired with kintsugi and staples

A very unusual combination of repairs has been performed on this antique Agano style pottery bowl covered in rich green glaze. The repairs are gold inside, and slowly morph to silver as they go over the rim and sweep about the outside, gilded metal staples embedded into the earth.

Agano ware (上野焼, Agano-yaki) is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally made in Fukuchi, Tagawa District, Fukuoka. Agano ware has its beginnings in 1602, when artisans arrived in Japan from the Kingdom of Joseon in Korea by invitation from the daimyo of Kokura Domain.

The beginnings of its production were supported by Hosokawa Sansai, who was otherwise known as the daimyō Hosokawa Tadaoki. It was originally associated with the tea ceremony.