A girl in her first year receives dolls representing an emperor and empress. People give each other Senmaizuke turnip pickles at year's end. In December, maiko present their dance teachers with mochi rice cakes and receive folding fans in return. In Kyoto, the custom of giving gifts at milestones and at the change of seasons has its origins in ancient court ceremonies that express gratitude and celebration. Discover the Kyoto culture of building and maintaining relationships through gift giving.

Bamboo has long been used in architecture and everyday tools. Today the Kyoto bamboo industry is in decline due to lifestyle changes and the lack of bamboo craftsmen. One artisan uses traditional methods to create fashion accessories. A fence builder promotes bamboo through QR codes and artworks. A master craftsman developed fireproof bamboo and nurtures new talent to expand his market. Discover how the younger generation is working to revive interest in bamboo by infusing modern sensibilities.

Women in Kyoto through the ages, like their counterparts around the world, have always desired the most beautiful and impressive fashion accessories to complement their outfits. Today, artisans from various fields are applying their respective traditional crafts to produce unusual, vogue adornments. The results range from sophisticated to adorable, with each embodying the refined quality Kyoto is known for. Discover craftspeople who expand their creativity through their wearable works of art.