"Kintsugi, the Makers of Fire" - Embracing Failure as a Catalyst for Growth

What is your greatest fear? Do you believe that failure equate to being a loser? Hi, I’m Jun. I was raised in rural Japan by wonderful parents who gave me a lot of love, and even though I went to the best high school in town, I was the only one of my siblings who did not go to college. I was a typical young dreamer and a spoiled son who just wanted to play in the big city of Tokyo. From that time on, I decided that I would not follow the traditional elite course of Japanese society of going to a good university and working for a big company, but would follow the path no one has ever taken. It was a little scary at this time, but looking back, this was the one of my best decision to become a Makers of Fire.

Since then, my parents have always worried about me and kept telling me, “You've got to find what you love”. To be honest, those words put a lot of pressure on me, as I had no confidence in myself at that time and had not found what I wanted to do with my life. I felt like I was in a tunnel with no way out. It was the most difficult time for me.

I was trying my best to survive in Tokyo, starting a part-time job at jungle cruise in Tokyo Disneyland and so on, but as I got older, I got along much better with my parents, and in 1992 I decided to return to my hometown with no particular plans for the future. I was lucky enough to get a chance to work as a prefectural employee at the University of Aizu, Japan's first computer science university.

It is a bit strange to think that the world existed before Google came along. Anyway, Right Time, Right Place, as they say, and I was very lucky to have found the Internet so early, in 1993, I had no computer knowledge or skills, and started out with nothing but passion. But I feel like I finally find something passionated about!

Like many young people at the time, I believed in the potential of the Internet, so I quit my job as a prefectural employee after two years and started an IT startup, Eyes, JAPAN, with University students in 1995 when I was 26 years old. In my 28 years of entrepreneurship, being an accidental entrepreneur, I have seen things that many people would not believe, I thought I was the only one who could see 20 years into the future at that time. I was like a drop of water on a mountain of success. It was not the "family" I had hoped for. But it did allow me to ascend to the heaven of creation.

In 2011, Fukushima suffered a devastating earthquake and nuclear accident, causing our community to fracture under the weight of fear and hatred. As an entrepreneur, I felt powerless in the face of such catastrophe. The future which I always dreamed was not so romantic and I was drawn into chaos, but life goes on. I encountered an invaluable lesson. Oscar Wilde says “Where there is sorrow there is holy ground” . As you know, Entrepueaureship is always full of “Love & Lost”.

In 2016, I had a dinner with Phil Libin, my best friend, mentor and known as founder of Evernote, one of the first "unicorn" companies. At that night, surprisingly, he appeared very vulnerable, admitting that he had just left Evernote and moved into a small apartment. While this news was shocking, what truly struck me was his sadness over breaking a cherished Star Wars mug during the moving instead of devastated about quitting Evernote. I didn't know he was a big Star Wars fan, He decided whether to stay with his small family-like company or got investment and become the first unicorn. He decided to become a unicorn and bought a mug to encourage himself. If you look at his old photos, you will see many pictures of him with the mug. But it was about to be thrown away because it was broken and no longer useful. This seemingly trivial object held great significance for Phil.

Phil's Kintsugi Star Wars Mug

After the earthquake, I have been focusing my efforts on revitalizing my hometown, which has long been famous for its traditional Japanese craft, lacquerware. Kintsugi, which translates to "golden joinery," is a Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. This technique highlights the object's imperfections, celebrating its history and unique beauty.

Kintsugi's underlying philosophy is rooted in Japanese aesthetics, particularly the concepts of wabi-sabi (embracing beauty in imperfection) and mottainai (a sense of regret for waste). By mending broken objects with precious materials, Kintsugi illustrates that imperfection and repair are integral aspects of an object's history, rather than something to conceal or discard. This art form has gained global popularity due to its distinctive aesthetic and inspiring message of resilience and transformation.

Kintsugi Tools

Upon learning of Phil's broken mug, I introduced him to Kintsugi and promised to have his treasured item repaired. After six months of meticulous work by one of Japanese Kintsugi artist, the mug was beautifully restored, its story now enriched by the Kintsugi artist's touch. Phil, deeply moved by the experience, questioned why Japanese society was so unforgiving of failure even they have such a beautiful culture.

Phil and his Star Wars Mug

Throughout my startup life, I too have feared failure, witnessing countless individuals falter despite their intelligence and determination. In our society, there is immense pressure to succeed, and failure is often equated with being a loser.

Phil shared a powerful quote from the movie Dune that challenged my perception of fear: "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

This profound insight illuminated the importance of embracing fear and failure as entrepreneurs. Life is a cyclical journey, with endings often resembling beginnings. So, if change is what you seek, relish the voyage. It is in our darkest moments that the cracks in our armor allow our inner light to shine through. However, the blinding glare of spotlights often prevents us from recognizing this radiance. As we embark on our individual journeys, may we all savor the exquisite agony of entrepreneurship and the pursuit of elusive beauty.

The art of Kintsugi teaches us that there is value in recognizing and celebrating our imperfections and our ability to overcome adversity. This belief is vital not only for entrepreneurs but for anyone facing challenges in life. When we approach our failures with a Kintsugi mindset, we transform our setbacks into opportunities for growth and self-improvement.

By reframing our perspective on failure, we can begin to see it as a catalyst for change, a stepping stone towards success, and an essential component of our personal and professional development. It is through the process of acknowledging our mistakes, learning from them, and embracing our newfound wisdom that we become stronger, more resilient individuals.

In conclusion, let us remember that failure is not a sign of weakness, nor does it define us as losers. Instead, it is a testament to our courage and determination to persevere through life's challenges. So, to all the entrepreneurs and dreamers out there: embrace your failures, cherish your Kintsugi moments, and continue to forge ahead on your extraordinary journey. You’re not alone. Good luck and bon voyage!

Originally Talk in Founders Peak - Singapore FinTech Festival in Tokyo May 16, 2023