What the Art of Kintsugi Can Teach During a Cancer Journey

When reflecting on the Japanese art of kintsugi, one can find inspiration during a cancer journey, as CURE columnist Chester Freeman explained.

Freeman, a bladder cancer survivor who has also received a diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, discussed this source of inspiration while he filmed a video entry for CURE in his backyard Japanese garden.

Kintsugi, as Freeman explained, is the traditional art of using gold to mend a broken cup.

“I'm not trying to hide or deny that I have cancer. What I'm trying to do is to go further deep within myself, because kintsugi encourages you to go deep and to find your inner strength,” said Freeman, who spent time in Japan as an exchange student while in college. “So, that's the philosophy behind it, so that when the cup is complete, or the glass is complete, it becomes beautiful, and the gold makes it stronger.”

Transcript

When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I was really very scared and frightened, and one of the things that I found very helpful was mindfulness meditation. And as you see, I'm standing here by a Japanese lantern, and there's a tradition in Japan called kintsugi. And kin means gold, and tsugi means mending. So, when a cup or glass breaks, they mend it with gold dust. And instead of hiding the break, they actually highlight the break.

And so, I use that in my own cancer journey. So, I'm not trying to hide or deny that I have cancer. What I'm trying to do is to go further deep within myself, because kintsugi encourages you to go deep and to find your inner strength. So that's the philosophy behind it, so that when the cup is complete, or the glass is complete, it becomes beautiful, and the gold makes it stronger.

So, what I have found is that there are three things that we need. First is we need to meditate. It's just so important to help us center ourselves. Second, we need the support of family and friends, and third, we need to go deep down within ourselves to find that inner strength, and it's always there. It's never easy to find it, but once you do, you're well on your way. So, I just keep reminding myself, it's not easy, but I can do it, and if I can do it, you can too.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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