This interview is a part of the "Artisan Feature" section in the articles area of the Kanzashi Garden site. In an effort to bring greater understanding towards the craft of kanzashi making, as well as an awareness of talented and inspired artists in the community, these interviews featuring artists have been conducted. This particular article is a feature on the kanzashi artist known as Amaebi. Please look below to find out more information about her and view some of her creations.



Name/Username: Amaebi (Flickr, Etsy) and Hanamaru79 (eBay)

Birth date: November 12

Location: California, USA

What got you started on the path of making tsumami kanzashi?
I fell in love with a photo of a beautiful purple kiku kanzashi and that has been my favorite ever since. Throughout my childhood I was interested in origami, beading, and wirework with flowers.

My mom was very supportive of my love of crafts, which really helped me learn how to innovate and create freely. I fell in love with the art of tsumami seven years ago. Some of the vintage kanzashi pieces I have collected over the years still continue to astound me; one flower (no more than the size of a quarter) contains more than 100 petals! I cannot help but think of the hours an artist spent making it.

While the mastery of tsumami will always elude me, I absolutely love its ideal: a pursuit of perfection in every identical fold, hundreds of times over. Making kanzashi is not only enjoyable, it is a dream. It is a meditation in silk. And so I am always trying to make my flowers smaller, neater. But the hands cannot always follow the mind; it's never easy.

As you can see above, Amaebi has an eye for collecting many cute Japanese items :D !
Amaebi's Goldfish fan, Green Chirimen Owl, Ubobo Charm, Tengu Doll, and Tabi Socks.

How long have you been creating kanzashi?
Almost 7 years. Back then, there weren’t books or tutorials readily available as there are now and I would spend hours online trying to find more information and many sleepless nights trying to figure out how various kanzashi were made so tiny and so neatly.

How would you define your style of kanzashi?
My pieces are either modern with a cheerful feel, such as my festival pieces, or traditional, which mostly represent my later pieces.
 

Along with creating kanzashi, Amaebi also enjoys beading and amigurumi (crochet).
Amaebi's Glass Beads, amigurumi wiener dog, crochet mushroom, and star sequins.

What is your favorite seasonal kanzashi motif?
Definitely kiku (mum), botan (peony), and ayame (iris).

Do you have any other interests in Japanese culture?
I am definitely a big fan of many, many aspects of Japanese culture and crafts, including origami, kimono, pop fashion, and language, just to name a few. Anything having to do with ninja always catches my attention.
 

Amaebi also has an interest in Japanese foods, with a particular liking of sweets.
Bean Sponge Cake, Candy Bins, Japanese Candy Boxes, and a Pretty Fruit Cake.

Any stories or anecdotes about kanzashi, kimono, or the Japanese craft culture?
I hope that hanakanzashi inspire others to take a moment to stop and appreciate the loveliness of creation, to admire the delicate roundness of a genuine cherry blossom or the furrows of a real autumn leaf. Nature is astoundingly beautiful.

The thematic traditions of color and flower in Japanese culture cherish nature, beauty, and harmony, and kanzashi are no exception; they express our hearts’ desire to make and feel something excellent. Maybe that is why kanzashi creation is so addictive to so many artists!

Any other comments you would like to share with the kanzashi world about yourself?
I look forward to seeing more wonderful kanzashi from people all over the world; it is a pleasure to see all of the variations and colors that inspire others. Please keep this dying art alive!



Thank you Amaebi for allowing me to interview you and for all the help and contributions to Kanzashi Garden! I look forward to seeing many more of your creations in the future!

If you wish to see more of Amaebi's work to view or buy, visit these places below:
Amabi's Flickr Gallery - Gallery of her Kanzashi work and other photographs.
Amaebi's Etsy Shop - Her online Etsy shop selling her kanzashi and other creations.

Interviewer: Skye Altamirano
Interviewee: Amaebi
Photographer: Amaebi
Date: March 2008
Contact: tantaga [at] tantaga.com


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