• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
    • Awards & Honors, Pomp & Circumstance
  • Blog
    • Modern, 18th, 19th Century
    • Baroque, Rococo
    • Renaissance
    • Ancient, Roman, Medieval
    • Culture, Festivals, Music, Literature
    • Art News, Current Events
  • FaceBook
  • Pinterest
  • Italian with Melissa
    • Studentessa Matta Italian Site
    • Learn Italian at home with Melissa
    • Study in Italy with Melissa
  • Melissa’s Books
    • Melissa’s Author Website
  • Store
  • Sign Up & Connect
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Art of Loving Italy

Art of Loving Italy

Art & Beauty are all around us.

The Japanese art of Kintsugi explained

September 18, 2020 by Melissa Muldoon 1 Comment

Photo Credit: Studentessa Matta, Deposit Photo

In my new book “Eternally Artemisia” one of the themes of the book is art therapy. My main character is a therapist who leads retreats in Tuscany. One of the techniques she teaches her group of women who have suffered abuse is the art of Kintsugi. What is this? Let me explain.

In Japan, when a vase breaks, instead of throwing it away, it is repaired with gold that is literally inserted between the cracks to hold the pieces together. It is done because it is believed that a broken vase can become even more beautiful than it was originally.

Photo Credit: Studentessa Matta, Deposit Photo

But what matters is not so much the possibility of repairing an object by increasing its beauty and value, as the underlying philosophy, that maintains life consists not only of integrity, but also of rupture and, as such, should be accepted.

Photo Credit: Studentessa Matta, Deposit Photo

The pain as well as the error, for the Japanese, does not embody a feeling to be eradicated or hidden, just as aesthetic imperfection is not an element capable of ruining the harmony of a figure; the cracks of the broken object must not be hidden or avoided but accepted and valued, just as the scars and wounds of the soul are not hidden but exhibited without embarrassment, being the same part of man and his history.

Photo Credit: Studentessa Matta, Deposit Photo

Kitsugi shows us that a form of beauty and superior perfection can be reborn from a restored wound, from the slow reparation resulting from a rupture, leaving us to understand that the signs impressed by life on our skin and in our mind have value and meaning, and that it is from them, from their acceptance, from their healing, that the processes of regeneration and inner rebirth that make us whole again in a new way.

My new novel is now available on Amazon in print and Epub—formatted for Kindle and iPad readers. It is also available on Ingram Spark.

Waking Isabella Book Video Trailer – Just won 2nd place Award in Reader Views Adult Literary Category

Writing a Letter to Sophia Loren and she responds!

Just Published — Eternally Artemisia! a novel by Melissa Muldoon set in Italy

Share this post

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
Share
Email

Related Posts

Filed Under: Modern, 18th, 19th, Contemporary

Reader Interactions

Commenti - Comments

  1. Sheree says

    September 20, 2020 at 10:00 am

    When I read about the Kintsugi method in “Eternally Artemisia”, I was fascinated. I did some research and actually repaired two of my shattered treasures. Thank you.

    Reply

Leave a Comment. I love hearing from you in English or Italian! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to the Art of Loving Italy Blog

Follow along on Instagram @studentessamatta

Matta per l’Italia! That’s me! La Studentessa Matta per l’Italia! That’s me! La Studentessa Matta! I’m Crazy for Italy!

Are you crazy in love with Italy and the language too? Are you learning Italian but have no one to practice with? Do you need a language coach or want to practice Italian conversation skills? Want to join an Italian Book club and read a novel in Italian?

Or perhaps you want to learn Italian in Italy and immerse in the language and culture?

Join me on my website for lots of Italian language learning fun! I’ve got lots of ways for you to practice and improve.

Many times, I’ve heard, “I can read and understand Italian, but when I speak, I get tongue-tied!” Sound familiar? Now you can practice Italian Conversation with me, loosen your tongue, and polish your language skills regularly. Do you need help with Italian grammar? Now you can schedule Italian Lessons to improve your language abilities. We will kick the tires and check the gearbox to get your “Italian Language Vespa’s” motor running smoothly and efficiently.

Or join me in Italy to learn the language on one of my specially designed programs with one of my partner schools. Learn in the classroom in the morning, and join me on excursions and adventures in the afternoon to keep practicing and learning more Italian!

In 2023 I have three small group programs planned with my partner schools in Arezzo in June, Lucca at the end of August, and Montepulciano in September! 

Join me, and let’s love Italy and Italian together! Improve your fluency and understanding of this beautiful language with me — la Matta!

For information about online language lessons with Melissa, the Studentessa Matta or to learn more and to sign up for one of the Matta 2023 Italian Language Immersion programs visit the www.StudentessaMatta.com website. Links in bio.

#ItalianLanguageProgram #ItalyStudyAbroad #SpeakItalian #StudentessaMatta #italianLanguage #TravelItaly #ItalianCulture #italian #ItalianVerbs #ItalianLessons #ARezzo #Montepulciano #LuccaItalianSchool #GiostraSaracino #LuccaWall #MontepulcianoWine #studyitalian
Love Italy!?!? Love the language? Do I have an ide Love Italy!?!? Love the language? Do I have an idea for you! 

How about packing your bags and heading to Montepulciano, Italy to learn Italian with Melissa the Studentessa Matta? Che bello! 

2023 Matta and Il Sasso Montepulciano Language Program: September, 10 - 22

Not only will you improve your language skills, but you’ll also get to indulge in the scrumptious Italian cuisine and wine, and explore the beautiful surroundings of Tuscany. 

It’s the perfect blend of learning and adventure, and who knows, you might even make some new Italian friends along the way. 

Montepulciano is a beautiful town located in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is known for its picturesque landscapes, historic architecture, and delicious food and wine. The town has a rich cultural heritage and is home to numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year.

Melissa the Studentessa Matta is an experienced Italian language teacher who has a passion for teaching the language and sharing her knowledge and love of Italy with others. Her language courses are designed to be immersive and engaging, and she uses a variety of teaching methods to help her students learn and practice Italian in a fun and effective way.

Learning Italian with Melissa in Montepulciano would allow you to not only improve your language skills but also experience Italian culture firsthand. You would have the opportunity to interact with locals, try authentic Italian cuisine, and visit historic landmarks and museums. By learning Italian in Montepulciano with Melissa, you would be able to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings and cultural events to enhance your learning experience.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go Italiano! Andiamo!

For more information and to sign up for the September Matta Montepulciano program find links in bio.

#LearnItalian #ItalianLanguage #ItalianCulture #ItalianExperience #StudentessaMatta #Montepulciano #Tuscany #ItalyTravel #TravelToItaly #LanguageLearning #CulturalImmersion #LaDolceVita #LanguageTravel #ExploreItaly #ItalianAdventure #LanguageClasses #SpeakItalian #ItalyStudyAbroad
The best way to keep up with your Italian is by li The best way to keep up with your Italian is by listening to audiobooks in Italian. There are lots of good books on Amazon Audible! 

Here are my latest listening stats: In the last four months, you pressed play on 23 titles, listened for 9,138 mins, averaged 76 min/day, and devoured 327 min on Feb 12. 

Il modo migliore per stare a passo con il tuo italiano e ascoltare gli audiobook. Ci sono tanti libri su amazon Audible! 

Buon ascolto! Buona lettura.

Happy listening! Happy reading!

Find Italian novels and audiobooks on the Matta Amazon Italian Page - Books, gifts & more!

Link in bio to my Amazon store page

#audiobooksItalian #Audible #AmazonAudible #AmazonItalia #StudentessaMatta #learnItalian #ReadBooks #listenbookshelfgetoutofmyway
The Italian Subjunctive — il Congiuntivo — how The Italian Subjunctive — il Congiuntivo — how to conquer this great big beautiful ugly beast!

New post on the Studentessa Matta Website!

Ah, the dreaded congiuntivo - the Italian subjunctive mood! It terrorizes many people and gives them the chills as if it were a terrifying ogre that eats innocent students for breakfast. 

Are you too afraid of this intimidating beast!? 

The Italian Subjunctive mood is not all that scary, and it's time to demystify and make friends with it! 

In a new post on the Studentessa Matta blog you will understand the congiuntivo better, what it is, what triggers it, how to conjugate it, and how to use it with many practical examples. Puoi farcela! You can do it! You can conquer and tame the subjunctive and use it like a real Italian!

#Congiuntivo #ItalianGrammar #italianLanguage #ItalianVerbs#SubjunctiveMood #GrammarNerd #ItalianCulture #ItalianSyntax #SpeakItalian #StudentessaMatta #LearnItalialn #italian grammar #italianverbs #ItalianLesson #SpeakItalialn #italiancongiuntivo
New film review of Rapiniamo il Duce (Robbing Muss New film review of Rapiniamo il Duce (Robbing Mussolini) on the Studentessa Matta blog site.

Rapiniamo il Duce (Robbing Mussolini) is a new Netflix fiction action film partially based on actual events. 

It was well-known that Mussolini had a secret stash of treasures hidden away and heavily guarded. It contained all the gold, jewels, money, paintings, and precious objects he had stolen from the Italian people in the name of Fascism. In the final days of the war, to save himself, Mussolini fled north. 

We all know what fate befell the Duce and where he ended up, but what happened to his treasure and where it is now is still a mystery. In this new movie, a band of misfit thieves set out to steal the stash in the confusion of the last days of the war. 

Read my review, listen to music from the film, and feast your eyes on some of the fantastic costumes. 

#RobbingMussolini #RapiniamoIlDuce #ItalianCinema #NetflixOriginal #HeistMovie #PoliticalSatire #ComedyFilmItalian #HistoricalFiction #Fascism #ItalianResistance #Antifascist #ItalianCulturalHeritage #ArtTheft #ItalianHistory #Mussolini #Duce #DuceLostTreasure #OutrageousPlot #PracticeItalian #FilmItalian #StudentessaMatta
On today's date, in 2019, "Eternally Artemisia” On today's date, in 2019, "Eternally Artemisia” was published! Publication day is always a special date to remember and celebrate as it represents a huge milestone in the life of an author! I loved writing this story and I miss the days of living in Artemisia's world! 

The novel celebrates Artemisia Gentisleschi, the 17th-Century painter; her art and spirit are shown through various lifetimes. 

The story also explores the idea that when there is a profound attachment between two souls, who experience life so intensely and passionately, they are cosmically bound together. They endure through all seasons, never fading away, and are fated to meet repeatedly.

Find your copy of "Eternally Artemisia" on Amazon in print, epub for Kindle, and as an Audiobook. Links in Bio.

#Artemisia Gentileschi #EternallyArtemisia #Florence #Rome #Baroque #TimeTravel #SearchingUniverse #StrongWomen #EternalLove #NovelItaly #RenaissanceItaly #IsabellaMedici #Medici #Florence #Firenze #Arezzo #Rome #MussoliniHistory #SophiaLoren #SofonisbaAnguissola #Michelangelo #artHistory #ItalyNovel #ItalyArt #italytravel
Literal translations are like a slippery banana pe Literal translations are like a slippery banana peel on a language learner’s path to fluency! 

Think of it like this: translating word for word from your native language is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It just doesn’t work! 

You need to learn the unique shape and style of the language you’re learning, just like you need to find the right shape and size of the puzzle piece to complete the picture.

I’ve compiled a list of expressions using FARE, PRENDERE, and AVERE to guide you. Look it over, familiarize yourself with the particular usages, and check out some idiomatic expressions using these verbs. 

Start reading and listening more in Italian; soon, your ear will recognize these expressions, which will start sounding more natural. 

And hey, if you slip on a grammatical “banana peel,” remember language learning is a journey, so just pick yourself up and keep going!

#ItalianGrammar #ItalianExpressions #StudentessaMatta #ItalianConversation #Fare #Prendere #Avere #ItalianVerbs #ExpressYourselfinItalian #ItalianLearningTips #ItalianCommunication #FaSenso #AvereFame #PrendersiInGiro #PrendereSole #Fareunafoto

Melissa Muldoon © 2023 Built with and Genesis Framework by Bellano Web Studio