Kintsugi: the art of imperfection

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in kintsugi around the world. Ceramics are repaired this way on purpose, or you can order a set online to fix the broken cups and plates in kintsugi style. However, the tradition has been around for centuries. What is kintsugi exactly? What is the idea behind kintsugi? How did this style of fixing begin? And can this be used as a sustainable option for our broken materials now?