鴨の水かき
mean in English?
“鴨の水かき” (kamo no mizugaki) is a Japanese proverb that describes the hidden struggles and efforts behind someone’s seemingly carefree appearance. It refers to the continuous paddling motion of a duck’s feet beneath the water’s surface, even though it appears to be floating effortlessly on the water.
In creative work, it can be likened to the challenges faced by creators. They often have to meet unrealistic deadlines demanded by clients, navigate significant changes in project direction driven by producers’ decisions, and experience moments of both anger and satisfaction from clients.
In the creative industry, professionals continue to make progress while facing setbacks, all the while striving towards their own dreams and goals. This embodies the essence of the proverb “鴨のみずかき” (kamo no mizugaki) in Japanese.
