Advanced Kintsugi Apprentice Program
This one-month intensive Advanced Kintsugi Program takes Kintsugi practitioners on an in-depth journey into the art of kintsugi, focusing on refining skills and mastering a variety of advanced techniques.
- Dates Nov 18 - Dec 16, 2025
- Enrollment fee 9200 USD
- Location Kyoto, Japan
- Apply by September 1, 2025
This program covers diverse approaches to traditional kintsugi repair, modern methods for restoring different materials, and the artistic possibilities that transform kintsugi into more than just a repair technique. Participants will also have the unique opportunity to work closely with kintsugi masters, gaining invaluable insights and hands-on experience that deepen their craft. This immersive experience is designed to enhance participants' technical abilities and broaden their creative perspectives in kintsugi.
Vessel on the right is restored by Issey Hattori, a master of maki-e and one of the teachers of the program
Program details
This is a program that is best suited for Kintsugi practitioners that have repaired multiple pieces from start to finish with the authentic hon-kintsugi techniques.
For who?
The program is suited for those who:
- have repaired multiple pieces from start to finish with the traditional Kintsugi technique using urushi lacquer
- want to enhance their technical abilities
- want to be able to express their creativity through a variety of finishes including more ornamental approaches
- be more efficient and proficient in their own repair work
- want to get exposed to the world of advanced tooling, learn how to use, make them
- want to dive even deeper into the variety of urushi and how to identify the best ones for you
- want to teach kintsugi in their home country
What does it include?
Over 130 hours of kintsugi education including guided classes, field trips and free studio hours. Specifically:
3 guided classes a week
One class per week will be taught by a master of maki-e and two by a seasoned Kintsugi specialist.
4 curated field trips
Deepen your understanding of tools, materials, and the cultural context surrounding Kintsugi through carefully selected excursions.
Free studio hours 6 times a week
We will open up the studio 6 times a week for you to practice and apply what you have learned. We will be there to assist you with what you need.
One month's accommodation
Stay in a fully furnished private studio apartment inclusive of workspace, kitchenette, toilet, bath/shower, washing machine. Your stay includes utilities and internet, and the apartment is just a 10-minute bike ride from POJ Studio.
Kintsugi Certification
We are launching an international Kintsugi Certification together with this program. You will be the first ones eligible to get certified and see where you stand with your skills.
Alumni online community
Connect with a supportive network of fellow apprentices and the POJ Studio team. Share your journey, ask questions, and continue growing together.
What is the application process?
For our Kintsugi Apprentice Alumni:
- Complete the application form
- We will assess your full application internally
- Welcome you to Kyoto to begin your Advanced Kintsugi Apprenticeship!
For all other applicants:
- Complete the application form which we will share shortly
- We will contact you to schedule a video interview
- We will assess your full application and interview internally
- Welcome you to Kyoto to begin your Advanced Kintsugi Apprenticeship!
Your instructors
Maki-e Master
ISSEY HATTORI
A Kyoto-born lacquer artist known for his masterful maki-e and contemporary urushi expression. After graduating from the National Takaoka College of Arts in 1998, he trained under acclaimed lacquer master Hattori Shunsho before establishing his own studio in 2018. His work has earned numerous accolades, including the Nikko-kai Prize, Kyoto Prefectural Governor’s Award, and the Kyoto Kacho-kan Prize. A regular exhibitor at prestigious shows such as Nitten and the Kogeibi Soko-kai, his pieces are also part of public collections including the Kyoto Museum of Culture, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Shanghai Museum of Arts. He continues to push the boundaries of traditional lacquer through exhibitions in Japan and abroad.
Kintsugi Specialist
Yuuka Kurosu
After first encountering Kintsugi in Australia, she returned to Japan and began working at a contemporary ceramics gallery in Osaka, where she studied the fundamentals of traditional repair. Alongside her gallery duties, she also served as part of the in-house Kintsugi team. During this time, she completed the lacquerware course at the Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology and Culture, where she studied under Issey Hattori amongst other teachers. Today, she restores both ceramics and lacquerware using traditional Kintsugi techniques as well as simplified methods with synthetic lacquer to accommodate a variety of needs.
KINTSUGI INSTRUCTORS
POJ STudio Team
Our team will accompany the program to manage the entirety of the program, instruct, assist, translate, and support all apprentices—ensuring your time here is as smooth, enriching, and rewarding as possible.
You can learn more about our team on our about page.
Apply today
To become a Kintsugi Apprentice, click below to complete the form. We will review your application and get back to you as we possible.
Accomodation for apprentices
Stay in our fully furnished private studio, inclusive of workspace, kitchenette, toilet, bath/shower, washing machine, utilities and internet.
FAQ
Payment is due in full within 14 days of acceptance into the Kintsugi Apprentice Program.
We request enrollment fees to be paid via direct bank transfer.
Once payment is made, cancellations are possible until one month prior to the start of the term, however a cancellation fee of 4000 USD will be incurred. Thereafter, the enrollment fee is fully non-refundable and non-transferable.
Should there be any global pandemic-related border restrictions to Japan, or lock-downs, we will be in touch to suggest date changes, or 100% of the enrollment fee will be refunded less transfer fees.
You can also organize your own accommodation. However, we are unable to provide a discount on the enrollment fee.
All classes and experiences are conducted in English.
While very competitive, we do consider enrollment at a subsidized rate in some cases. Please contact education@pojstudio.com to share why you are interested in the Kintsugi Apprentice Program, why a subsidized enrollment rate would make a difference for you, and we will respond with further information should your profile be a match.
The apartments we provide are studio apartments for one person, but can be shared if your partner would like to stay at the same apartment for an additional USD 400 per month.
Once the application period has ended, the application process takes about one month.
We do not offer this program for one month due to the nature of the repair and curing process. Details on this and more can be found here.
Free time is built in to the program schedule to advocate day trips and quick overnight trips to further explore Japan and Japanese culture.
Urushi, the sap of the urushi tree, is the base material of authentic kintsugi-repair using all natural ingredients. It is what makes this tableware restoration technique antipest, antiviral, antibacterial, and so durable. Not to mention, 100% food safe.
The urushi tree is the cousin of mango, cashew, and poison ivy. As a result, some people fear working with urushi. Like poison ivy, it does indeed contain a compound called urushiol that can cause minor skin irritation to a more severe allergic reaction, depending on the individual.
Learn more about urushi here.
This is case by case but certainly can be discussed. Whether a single payment or installments, in most cases, full payment must by made at least one month before the term begins.