ANYTSUGI took part in an event hosted by ReF Waseda, a student organiz

Rather than hiding cracks and chips, Kintsugi embraces them as they are and turns them into new value — a philosophy that resonated with ReF Waseda, a student organization at Waseda University.

ANYTSUGI took part in ReF POPUP, an event hosted by the group, through a pre-event interview with Kintsugi craftsman Sho and a sample display of our Kintsugi kits.

In this article, we share how this collaboration came about and what happened on the day of the event.

ReF Waseda: A Student Group Promoting Sustainable Fashion

ReF Waseda is a student organization at Waseda University that shares information about sustainability in fashion. Under the motto "Enjoy sustainable fashion in your own way," the group creates a space where people can enjoy making sustainable choices at their own pace, rather than pushing rigid ethical consumption on anyone.

This year's event, ReF POPUP, was held on Saturday, August 9, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 6:00 PM at DDD ART Nagi in Setagaya, Tokyo (a 12-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station). It was a comprehensive pop-up event featuring a flea market, exhibits, an upcycling project, merchandise sales, and more, all held at the same time.

This year's theme was "禅 Zen," inviting visitors to pause for a moment and discover what truly feels right to them.

How the Collaboration with ANYTSUGI Came About

For ReF POPUP, the team put together a collaboration project centered on the theme of "wa" (Japanese tradition), and introduced the ANYTSUGI display as a space where visitors could experience the idea of repairing broken items to use them for years to come.

Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese technique that repairs broken or chipped ceramics with urushi lacquer, creating a new landscape in the process. This approach to engaging with objects — repairing what's broken instead of discarding it, and continuing to use it for years — resonates with the world of fashion as well. ReF Waseda recognized this philosophy behind ANYTSUGI, and that appreciation led to this collaboration.

In addition to ANYTSUGI, ReF POPUP featured several other collaboration projects centered on the theme of "wa." We would be delighted if Kintsugi served as one way for visitors to connect with sustainable values.

A Collaboration Through an Interview and a Sample Display

We took part in this collaboration in two main ways.

The first was a pre-event online interview with Kintsugi craftsman Sho. The ReF Waseda team asked him about the appeal of Kintsugi and what it means to repair and continue using broken items.

You can watch the interview on ReF Waseda's official Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbx1_WmmqKg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

The second was a sample display of our Kintsugi kits. We left the on-site setup and running of the display to the ReF Waseda team, sending them Kintsugi kit samples to exhibit at the venue.

It seems that visitors picked up the kits and got a hands-on feel for Kintsugi, and that comes through clearly in the photos. We were honestly a little disappointed not to be at the venue ourselves that day, but we're grateful that the photos ReF Waseda sent us let us experience the atmosphere and see how visitors responded.

In Closing

It was truly inspiring to see students thinking about and sharing their own perspectives on sustainable making and living. We're delighted that Kintsugi, a technique with such a long history, is being passed on in new ways through the activities of the younger generation. Thank you, ReF Waseda, for giving us this valuable opportunity.

You can learn more about ReF Waseda's activities here.