キモノの中の女性

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over Kyoto’s ancient streets. Among the narrow alleys and wooden machiya houses, a young woman named Aiko walked with an air of quiet determination. At twenty-five, she was at a crossroads in her life, burdened by expectations and dreams that felt as delicate as the silk of the kimono she wore.

Aiko had always been fascinated by the art of kimono-making, a tradition steeped in history. She had spent years learning the craft, her nimble fingers weaving threads into intricate patterns, each stitch telling a story. But as she stood in front of her reflection in a quaint shop window, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of her family’s aspirations. Her parents envisioned her in a more conventional role—married, settled, and perhaps running a tea house. Yet, Aiko’s heart pulsed with creativity, yearning to share her passion with the world.

On this particular day, she