Circle of Ki Aikido Earrings $15.00 White with Red Circle Pink Orange Red Green Blue Purple Turquoise

This illustration shows the relationship between the aikido budo and the circle. The Japanese Kanji in the background shows the energy, or "Ki" character. O Sensei (Great Teacher) talked about the circle and its relationship to everything we do and everything there is. This illustration shows how that can be.

I like the funky almost comic tone of this illustration, that is also very sophisticated and sincere at the same time. Almost all of the martial arts illustrations in our jewelry incorporate the circle in some way, but this illustration uses a very straightforward approach.

I have this illustration available in a variety of colors in necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

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The Fundamental Principle of the Circle
A Lecture by the Founder
(Excerpt -- translated by Linda Holiday Sensei)

Aikido technique is structured on circular movement, for harmony is brought about and all conflict resolved through the spirit of the circle. The response of the body, mind and spirit to the principle of the circle is vital to the creation of technique. A circle encloses space, and it is from the perfect freedom of this emptiness that ki is born. From the center of this birthplace, the creative processes of life are joined with the infinite, immeasurable universe by the spirit. The spirit is the Creator, the eternal parent giving birth to all things.

The Budo of Aikido springs from the mastery of the spirit of the circle. The essence if this Budo is to embrace the complementary action of cause and effect and to draw into yourself all things as if they were held within the palm of your hand. You have a spirit, therefore you must realize that each person has a spirit. When the life processes are connected with the spirit and the fundamental principle of the circle is given birth in Aiki, all things are led to completion through the circle. All things are freely created by the circle. The secret of the circle is to create technique by piercing the very center of space.

Are these handmade?
These necklaces are handmade by our family: Sarah, John, Madison, and Malia. We design and create jewelry and other items as we travel around the world on our sailboat. You can read more about our adventures on our blog

How are they Made?
We design different drawings or use different decorative Japanese papers. These papers are cut and laminated onto wooden Scrabble Game piece tiles. The images and tiles are sanded to a perfect fit and the images are sealed in with a thick layer of jewelry epoxy. The epoxy resin makes the images magnified as if under glass while providing a layer of waterproof protection from scratching, UV damage, and yellowing.

The image tiles are drilled and attached to earring findings, necklaces, bracelets, cell phone charms and other items using small bails.

The tiles are about 3/4 inch by 7/8 inch. Earrings are about 2 inches long and necklaces are about 18 inches long. If you have a special request for a different length, please let us know and we will do our best to make a special item just for you.