Breathe and Draw: Cultivating Calm with Shippo
Exploring Japanese textile patterns in my artwork is a way I imbue my heritage into my work, and it is also a way I help ground myself in both my creative practice and to help quiet my mind. As somebody who lives with an autoimmune condition, one of my biggest daily priorities is to check-in with my energy levels (physical and mental), so finding even small, 5-minute activities that help me regulate are so helpful.
This activity uses the Japanese shippo design, a pattern of overlapping concentric circles, as a tool for meditative creative practice. The goal is not to create a perfect pattern, but to use the repetitive, gentle movements as a way to self-regulate, focusing on your breath and the physical sensations of drawing. You can adapt this exercise to be as short as a few minutes, or as long as feels comfortable.
The History of Shippo
The shippo (七宝) design, which translates to "seven treasures," is a traditional Japanese textile pattern. The name refers to the seven treasures of Buddhism: gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, red coral, agate, and mother-of-pearl. These treasures symbolize the wealth and beauty found in the natural world.
The pattern itself is made of interconnected circles, often overlapping to create a lattice-like design. This interconnectedness is a powerful metaphor, representing harmony, eternity, and the bonds between people. Shippo has been used for centuries in various Japanese arts, including kimono, lacquerware, and pottery, and is celebrated for its elegance and symbolic depth.
A classic example of the Shippo pattern in traditional Japanese textile design.
Gather Everyday Materials
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Paper
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Pencil, markers, colored pencils, or any coloring medium you enjoy
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As a challenge, you can experiment with different brushes to enjoy varying circle widths and strokes
Shippo pattern, drawn digitally in Procreate
Practicing the Shippo pattern in my sketchbook
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Ground Yourself
Find a comfortable seat. Take a moment to settle in, placing your feet flat on the floor if you can. Close your eyes or soften your gaze. Take a few deep, slow breaths. Notice the feeling of the air entering and leaving your body. As you breathe, release any tension you are holding in your shoulders, neck, or jaw.
Step 2: Begin with a Single Circle
Open your eyes and place your hand on the paper. You can use a circular object as a guide or simply draw a circle freehand. Don’t worry about making it perfectly round. This is your first circle, your starting point. As you draw, feel the movement of the pencil in your hand. Notice the pressure you apply to the paper.
Step 3: Create a Group of Four Circles
Start by drawing a 2x2 grid of circles - two next to each other, sides touching, and two directly below. Notice the subtle differences in each individual circle, and the spaces in between. Don't worry about perfection, and lean into simply observing.
Now, draw a second circle that overlaps the first. Let the two circles intersect. As you draw, notice the space where they connect. You are creating a new shape within the pattern. Breathe as you draw. Inhale as your hand moves one way, and exhale as it moves another.
Step 4: Expand the Pattern
Now, draw a fifth circle that overlaps all four circles in the center. As you draw, notice the space where they connect. You are creating a new shape within the pattern. Breathe as you draw. Inhale as your hand moves one way, and exhale as it moves another.
Continue to add new groups of circles, switching between groups of four or by adding rows or columns. There is not a right or wrong way. Embrace the imperfections. One circle might be slightly larger, another a little wobbly. These subtle differences are what make your unique pattern.
Step 5: Focus on the Sensation
As you continue drawing, shift your focus from the final product to the process itself. What does it feel like to draw a circle? What is the rhythm of your hand? What do you notice about your breath? If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your attention back to the feeling of the pencil in your hand and the rhythm of your breath.
Step 6: Add Color (Optional)
If you wish, you can now add color to the different sections of your design. You can choose colors that evoke a certain feeling—calm, joy, or focus. You can choose colors randomly. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Simply follow what feels good to you.
Shippo Pattern using black gesso and iron oxide
Shippo pattern in handmade sappanwood ink, using a resist method to imitate stitching
Reflection Exercise
Take a moment to look at the pattern you've created.
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What do you notice about your design? Are the circles all the same? Are some a bit wonky?
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How does this feel? Does it feel good to let go of the need for perfection?
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What was the most challenging or most enjoyable part of this process?
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How can you apply this practice of focusing on the process, embracing imperfection, and noticing your breath to other moments in your life?
