Mending Cracks with Gold
Samira Ahmed considers the value of damaged people and goods, drawing inspiration from the ancient Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold.
What can we learn from a broken teapot?
According to legend, when a 15th century shogun smashed his treasured pottery, Japanese artists repaired it with gold. Kintsugi, as the practice is known, gives new life to damaged goods by celebrating their frailty and history. Samira Ahmed considers how we might live a kintsugi life, finding value in the 鈥榗racks' - whether it's the scars showing how we have lived, finding new purpose through loss, or learning to love ourselves despite our flaws.
With readings from The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura, Haruki Murakami's After the Quake, and the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam - and music from Michio Miyagi, the Rolling Stones and Elizabethan composer, John Dowland.
Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Jo Fidgen
A Whistledown production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.
Last on
Music Played
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Michio Miyagi
Haru No Umi
Performer: Yamato Ensemble
- Japanese Music by Michio Miyagi Volume 1.
- ARC Music.
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John Dowland
Sorrow, Stay
Performer: Justin Burwood (tenor) and Rosemary Hodgson (lute)
- Sorrow Stay.
- ABC Classics.
- B008CWR79K.
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Gregor F. Narholz
Ancient Art
Performer: Sonoton Music
- Ancient Cultures 1.
- SCD0325.
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Leonard Cohen
Anthem
Performer: Leonard Cohen
- The Future.
- Columbia Legacy.
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Muddy Waters
After Hours
Composer: Avery Parrish
- Can't Get No Grindin'.
- Chess.
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The Rolling Stones
Down Home Girl
Composer: Artie Butler
- Rolling Stones - First.
- Polydor.
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Michio Miyagi
Haru No Yo
Performer: Yamato Ensemble
- Japanese Music by Michio Miyagi Volume 1.
- ARC Music.
Broadcasts
- Sun 1 Sep 2013 06:05大象传媒 Radio 4
- Sun 1 Sep 2013 23:30大象传媒 Radio 4
- Sun 21 Mar 2021 06:05大象传媒 Radio 4
- Sun 21 Mar 2021 23:30大象传媒 Radio 4