Meet Kenshin Amagi

We were lucky to catch up with Kenshin Amagi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kenshin, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

In addition to being a senior in college, I am also a professional magician, a published author, and an artist—each role requiring a great deal of creativity. To ensure that my creative well never runs dry, one of the most important habits I’ve developed is to make at least one new “discovery” every day.

By “discovery,” I mean paying close attention to the details around me and noticing things that usually go unnoticed in everyday life. For example, slight changes on a familiar path, a new recipe, a button in my car I’ve never pressed, or a subtle habit of a colleague or boss at work—there are countless seeds of discovery hidden in the ordinary. These small insights can often serve as valuable hints for future projects or ideas.

It doesn’t matter how small the discovery is. What’s important is making a conscious effort to observe and find something new. I make it a habit to record these findings, either by taking photos or writing them down in my idea notebook. As these discoveries accumulate, they form a vast reservoir of creativity, providing a rich source of inspiration when needed.

This is akin to having a large box of crayons with a variety of colors. The more discoveries we make, the more options we have at our disposal, and when the time comes to create, we can say, “This color will work here” or “That color fits perfectly there,” allowing us to paint with a full palette.

Being creative is not always easy. Especially when trying to create something from scratch, it often involves struggle, and many times nothing comes of it. However, by consistently gathering insights from daily observations, we can build up a treasure trove of ideas, ready for when we need them. Simply adjusting our mindset to be open to everything happening around us allows creativity and curiosity to follow naturally.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Kenshin Amagi. I have nearly 15 years of experience as a magician, but what I aspire to become is not just a magician, but a performing artist. In addition to magic, I am involved in various creative activities, and my dream is to one day bring all of these elements together into a single work on stage.

By nature, I tend to get bored easily, and over the years, I’ve pursued a variety of hobbies, such as baseball, soccer, basketball, kendo, calligraphy, yo-yo, kendama, and more. I’ve always dreamed of finding a career that allows me to make the most of these diverse experiences.

When I recently reflected on my dream, I came up with an ideal way to explain it: Imagine if 10 people who know me were gathered in a room, and they were asked, “Do you know Kenshin Amagi?” One might say, “Oh, he’s a magician, right?” while another might say, “No, I think he’s an author!” I want to live a life where each person has a different perspective of who I am. If I can achieve that, I think my tendency to get bored will disappear.

To me, living a life that’s never dull is essential. It’s not just about the things happening around me, but also about the constant change and challenges within myself. In terms of my current main project, I occasionally perform at the Magic Castle and have also been working on children’s picture books and novels. I am still a university student, so I have to keep my balance, but I will continue to do my best to enrich the lives of everyone who sees my work and to make them smile, even if only a little.

If my life were a movie, my goal is to make it one that I wouldn’t get tired of watching—a life full of excitement and adventure.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three skills and abilities that have had the most significant impact on my journey and life are: Flexibility, Reading the Atmosphere, and Self-Analysis.

Flexibility:
I believe that flexibility is an essential skill, not only in the workplace but in life. Flexibility refers to the ability to quickly generate multiple solutions when faced with challenges, whether in personal or professional situations. This problem-solving ability is invaluable when something needs to be accomplished despite obstacles. Whether it’s a project or life itself, it’s almost impossible for any plan to go smoothly without complications. There will always be obstacles, and at some point, you’ll encounter a roadblock. However, the key is having the capacity to swiftly and calmly assess the situation, organize your thoughts, and execute the best possible solution while adapting to changing circumstances.

A concrete example of flexibility could be planning an outdoor event only to find that it rains on the day of the event. Instead of simply canceling, flexibility means quickly booking an indoor venue or adjusting the schedule. In such situations, a strong sense of responsibility becomes critical. Those who are expected to deliver results are the ones who, even when problems arise, find ways to resolve them smoothly to fulfill what they’ve promised.

This ability can only be cultivated through practical experience. The capacity to make quick decisions and stay calm in the face of adversity is developed through both training and experience, in addition to any natural talent. There is rarely just one solution to a problem. Even when there is, there are countless ways to achieve it. I believe that those who can master as many of these paths as possible will be the ones who rise to leadership roles and guide others in the future.

Reading the Atmosphere:
Reading the atmosphere is another crucial skill for thriving in today’s society. Understanding the emotions of others and anticipating their needs leads to smoother interactions, especially for those who work closely with others. As a complement to flexibility, it’s important to gauge the mood and situation of the people around you and adjust your actions and words accordingly. The ability to read the atmosphere allows for seamless communication. When you can sense the underlying dynamics, you can respond appropriately, which provides a significant advantage in building relationships and ensuring smooth progress in your work.

Self-Analysis:
Of all the skills and abilities I’ve discussed, I believe that the ultimate one everyone should cultivate is the ability to self-analyze. In my opinion, the most important thing to do before embarking on anything is to understand who you are. This includes knowing your personality, preferences, habits, hobbies, and more. If you understand who you are and what you want, you’ll gain clarity about your intentions. Once you know your intentions, you’ll understand what motivates you. Knowing what motivates you leads directly to action and results.

Ultimately, you are the one who knows yourself best and is responsible for your well-being. For example, if you feel emotionally overwhelmed, what makes you happy? How do you release stress? By understanding these things, you’ll know how to manage yourself effectively. Developing this self-awareness is key to navigating life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past 12 months, the area in which I have grown the most is likely my sense of responsibility. This is largely due to my experience working as both a performer and theater manager at The Magical Mystery Show in Waikiki, Hawaii, for the past year. My time there significantly enhanced my sense of responsibility.

At the theater, we had two shows back-to-back each day, making the schedule very demanding. My role was to ensure the theater ran smoothly on a daily basis and to warm up the audience, regardless of who the main performer was. This was something I had to do without fail—regardless of my own physical condition, technical issues with the sound or lighting—because it was my duty to ensure that the paying audience left satisfied.

In particular, during the three months I spent running the theater in Maui by myself, I faced tremendous responsibility and pressure, knowing that the show couldn’t start without me. I had to fight through the challenges, knowing that if the audience wasn’t engaged or if ticket sales were low, it would fall on my shoulders. Through this intense period of training, I developed the responsibility to see things through to the end, no matter the circumstances.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,