A Little World of My Own
A Seed From Childhood
When I was 11 years old, I came across a Japanese book called 『いつでもどこでも ネコ町物語…ナーゴ』, created by watercolor artist Molly Azamino (モーリーあざみ野).
The book introduced me to Neargo, an imaginary town filled with cats.
It wasn't simply a story about cats. It felt like a traveler's guide to a place that could have existed somewhere in the world. The book explored the town's history, its places and traditions, and the many cats who lived there — each with their own name, personality, and little story.
I was completely captivated by the idea that an artist could draw a place that wasn't real and give it so much life that someone else could feel as though they had visited it.
Neargo was slow, whimsical, and peaceful. It was the kind of place where nothing had to happen for a day to feel meaningful.
And somewhere in my 11-year-old mind, a tiny thought took root...
Maybe one day, I could create a place like that, too.
Growing Up With Little Worlds
As I grew older, that little seed never really went away.
I grew up surrounded by the visual language of Asian culture — stationery, illustration, little shops, handwritten notes, cute characters, and the quiet rituals of everyday life.
I also fell in love with journaling. For me, journaling has always been more than putting words on paper. It's a way of noticing things. A sticker or a piece of paper may be small, but it can become part of someone's memory.
Meet Jelly
Of course, there is one very special resident who lives outside of Sweet Clementine Island.
Her name is Jelly.
Jelly is my two-year-old domestic shorthair tabby, and I met her just after I graduated from college and moved into my own apartment.
I've always been a cat lover, but having a cat of my own was something completely different.
And somehow, Jelly turned out to be exactly the cat I needed.
She's quiet, playful, and happiest when she's simply nearby. She follows me around the apartment, keeps me company while I work, and somehow always manages to find a little spot beside me.
She has become my tiny companion through everyday life — the quiet mornings, long work days, creative struggles, and all the little moments in between.
Jelly is also the biggest source of inspiration for my illustrations. I find myself turning every little moments with her into characters and stories all the time.
But more than inspiring my art, Jelly has changed me. Taking care of another little life has made me more patient, more affectionate, and more aware of the small ways we can show love.
She has softened my heart. And I think that softness has found its way into my work, too.
Maybe that's why so many of the worlds I create are filled with gentle characters, cozy homes, warm food, quiet afternoons, and little moments of companionship. Because those are the things that make me happy in real life.
And somewhere between drawing cats and living with one, I realized that sometimes the smallest creatures can leave the biggest mark on your heart.
Thank you, Jelly ♡
From a Little Dream to an entire Island
Eventually, all of those little inspirations began to come together; Sweet Clementine Island was born. This is my own imaginary little world — a cozy island inhabited by cats and other curious characters.
Here, everyone has their own personality, their own routines, and their own little stories. They go to work; they eat their favorite foods; they take relaxing baths; they spend lazy afternoons together; they have good days and not-so-good days; they celebrate little things.
And sometimes, they simply do nothing at all.
I wanted to create a place where life could feel a little slower, a place where you don't have to be productive all the time, and maybe it can be a tiny escape from the real world, or a place to visit when you need a little comfort.
Either way, you're always welcome on the island.
Why "Inori"?
The name Inori is very personal to me. "Inori" is the Japanese reading of the character 祈, which is one of the characters in my own name. The character is often translated as prayer, but the meaning I connect with is a little different. Growing up with Asian cultural influences, I became familiar with the idea of wishing for happiness, good fortune, and a peaceful life — little hopes and blessings that we carry for ourselves and for the people we care about.
That's what I wanted Inori to represent, not a religious prayer but a wish. A little hope for something good; a quiet blessing sent into the world.
And so, Inori Studio became more than just a name. It became a little wish attached to everything I make.
A Little Wish For You
Everything at Inori Studio is drawn, designed, and made with the hope that it might bring a little bit of joy into your everyday life. Maybe a sticker finds its way into your journal, a little character keeps you company on your desk, or a piece of stationery makes an ordinary afternoon feel a little more special.
Or maybe you simply spend a few minutes wandering around Sweet Clementine Island and forget about the outside world for a while.
I created this little world from the things that brought me comfort growing up: stories, stationery, journaling, imagination, Asian culture, cats, and slow little moments.
The world started with a book I discovered when I was 11; now, years later, I'm building a little island of my own. If you ever need a quiet place to slow down, look around, and stay for a while...
Sweet Clementine Island will always have a little corner waiting for you. ♡
— Qi Gu
Artist & Creator of Inori Studio