Kana Inami: Mizuhiki Artist

Kana first encountered Mizuhiki when she stumbled upon a plum-shaped piece while looking for a cute accessory to match her new kimono. Upon seeing that small piece, she fell in love with the traditional art form immediately and that was what pulled her into the world of Mizuhiki. She is currently pursuing the art in Kanazawa, with a mission to preserve and teach people about it.

Mizuhiki, a Simple yet Elegant Art

Mizuhiki is, in essence, a very simple form of knot-tying. The number of knots that go into it is actually quite low, yet, with just that small number, the possibilities are endless. Even with the same exact knots, two works can be completely different with just a slight adjustment. Be it small two-dimensional pieces, large three-dimensional ones, or installations that take up entire rooms, one can truly let their creativity freely flow with Mizuhiki, and it is precisely why Kana fell in love with the art.

The Most Important Thing, “Emotion”

What Kana holds most important when making her pieces is, in her own words, “Emotion”.

“Would the people seeing this work feel excited? Will I enjoy myself making it?”
These are the questions that she always asks herself at the beginning of every piece of her work. If she is filled with emotion while creating something, then the finished work will naturally convey that emotion straight to the hearts of those who see it. This concept brings charm to all of Kana’s work. This is her style.

The Purpose Mizuhiki Taught Her in Life

Before she knew it, Kana had already embarked on her journey as a Mizuhiki artist. She feverishly created piece after piece, ran a class to teach others about the art form, and held exhibitions in art museums. Through her daily routine and the art, she found her purpose in life. Kana firmly believes that understanding each other’s cultures is the key to peace. Through this line of thoughts, expressing herself through Mizuhiki, preserving and teaching people this traditional art form, and connecting people of different cultures just like the knots, became Kana Inami’s life purpose.

Check out her official site: https://www.mizuhiki-art-namika.com/