The art of mending

The ancient repair technique of Ju Ci looks to be making a comeback in China as more and more people learn how to appreciate imperfection

Itinerant craftsmen used to travel through villages in China, alerting residents of their repair services simply by shouting.

These craftsmen were often hired to fix broken household wares and the skilled ones were renowned for their ability to mend something as small as a cup without using any glue. They would first drill tiny holes on either side of the crack before bending metal staples to hold the pieces together. Though the technique, called Ju Ci, might sound rudimentary, it was undoubtedly effective.

With the onset of industrialization, Ju Ci was gradually replaced by modern techniques. The craft, however, looks to be making a comeback today, and people are willing to spend more than what they paid for the original item just to have it repaired in this manner.

The cost of each repair job depends on the complexity of the task. Each staple used costs 100 yuan ($14.5) while a circular bonding agent with a diameter of no more than 10 centimeters costs 600 yuan. When clients request for gold to be used in the repairs, the total fee could amount up to thousands of dollars.

"It is an art of understanding. You feel a broken piece, re-design it, and give it a new life," was how Hou Yu, a photographer who documents the craft, described Ju Ci.

According to industry experts, public interest in Ju Ci had suddenly spiked since the airing of a CCTV documentary on the craft in 2012. The program also featured a master craftsman named Wang Zhenhai who hails from the fifth generation of a family of craftsmen who had served in the Palace Museum.

Wang, 60, also started to teach Ju Ci that same year. He currently lives in Beijing and is still active in the promotion and education of the craft.

"This handicraft has only been strictly passed down in our family. However, I have taught the craft to many people because I don't want it to disappear," said Wang.

Gu Yu, one of the few people in Shanghai who is well-versed in Ju Ci, was among those who were captivated by the documentary. In fact, she was so intrigued with the craft that she and a few other friends contacted Wang and invited him to Shanghai to conduct classes.

Gu now runs a pottery repair studio with two apprentices at Hongqiao Antique Mall and though she has only been in the profession for two years, her workmanship has already earned praise and recognition from her clients. Business has been so brisk that customers often have to wait for months before they can retrieve their repaired ceramic ware.

One of Gu's largest assignments was having to repair more than 100 "jian zhan" teacups from the Shanghai Jian Zhan Collectors Club. Made in Jianyang, Fujian province, about 1,000 years ago, these funnel-shaped cups are highly sought after in the antique market and often command huge prices at auctions.

Liao Chengyi, head of the club in Shanghai, revealed that collectors used to send their damaged cups to local restoration workshops in Fujian, only to discover that the workmanship was far from satisfactory. Also, because the workers had used glue as a sealant to speed up the repair process, it was no longer safe to drink from the cup.

This was when collectors started turning to Gu, who uses traditional techniques and materials such as lacquer and pure gold. After mending the cups, Gu would place them in a humidifier for several weeks to let them dry. This also ensures that the cups are safe for everyday use.

"A teacup is not just an object of everyday use. People can become attached to it after using it for years because it embodies their memories. It is like a piece of themselves," said Gu.

There are only a few studios in Shanghai that offer Ju Ci services. Gu said that she only knows of about 10 other craftsmen in the city who are trained in Ju Ci.

Antique dealers in the mall often engage her to restore their vintage pottery as well. The prices of antique pieces in perfect condition are often too prohibitive. However, an antique that has been repaired is much friendlier on the wallet.