The Legend
The concept of chikara holds great significance within Japanese culture and language. As a kanji character, 力 represents the concept of strength and power. It embodies the physical, mental, and spiritual attributes of strength, often reflecting the importance of resilience, determination, and preserverance - key concepts found in Japanese culture.
It is often associated with martial arts, where the cultivation and mastery of one's physical strength and skills are highly regarded. Beyond its physical connotations, 力 also portrays the strength of one's character, willpower, and the ability to overcome challenges. It serves as a reminder of the human capacity to endure and triumph in the face of adversity. This concept is deeply woven into the Japanese way of life, inspiring individuals to harness their inner tenacity and embrace the challenges of life with their strength of will.
The CHIKARA 力 Pendant
Forged entirely by hand, our CHIKARA pendant embodies the essence of strength and and willpower. Meticulously crafted from traditional Japanese folded steel, the pendant's design is masterfully crafted to resemble the Japanese character "力," or chikara. Each intricate fold and curve in the pendant's construction represents the layers of experiences, challenges, and growth that contribute to one's personal strength.
Just as the steel is subjected to an arduous hammering and forging process to perfect it, so too do individuals go through tempering and trials in life to accomplish their goals. The pendant serves as a constant reminder to embrace the power within, to overcome obstacles, and to channel one's strength in pursuit of personal growth and success.
Safety
As the smith does not mix chromium into the metal, your CHIKARA pendant should be kept away from water. We have applied a layer of lacquer to give the pendant a measure of water resistance, but it is always better to be safe than sorry! As this layer will eventually wear off over the course of normal wear, it is highly recommended to replace it with a jewelry sealant (or an alternative) in a month or so to protect the finishing of the pendant and maintain its water resistance.
Stainless Option
Due to popular demand, we now offer a stainless clad variant of the pendant! The metals used in the forging of this piece are of a lower carbon content with a limited chromium mix in order to provide greatly increased resistance to water based corrosion. Please note that this metal is not fully stainless, and thus should not be left exposed to water for extended periods of time.
