I was born in Kyoto and raised by my grandmother, who was the very definition of a Kyoto woman. From her, I was thoroughly trained in tea ceremony, flower arrangement, kimono dressing, Japanese tailoring, Western sewing, knitting, calligraphy, and cooking. She often scolded me, saying, “A woman doesn’t need to study too much—focus on your lessons,” and made sure traditional arts always came first. My grandmother and mother made everything at home—our everyday clothes, pajamas, and even sweaters—so I grew up making my own clothes from a very young age. Unable to fit into the strict customs of an old Kyoto household, I ran away from home at fifteen, and eventually made my way to the United States. I never imagined that the skills drilled into me as a child would one day be useful here in America, but now I am deeply grateful to both my grandmother and my mother. My hobbies include traveling, night hiking, cooking, and hosting parties in the party room next to my sewing classroom.

京都生まれ、京女の見本みたいな祖母から、茶道、華道、着付け、和裁、洋裁、編み物、書道、料理など徹底的に叩き込まれ、勉強すると女はあほでええんやとお稽古事を優先するように怒られました。祖母と母が家族の服もパジャマもセーターも家で作る家だったので、子供のころから自分の服は自分で作っていました。京都の旧家のしきたりになじめなかった私は、15歳で家出、ついにはアメリカまで来てしまいました。まさか子供のころに叩き込まれた京女の技がアメリカで活かせるなんて思ってもみませんでしたが、今では祖母と母に感謝しています。趣味は旅行、夜のハイキング、料理、ソーイングクラスの隣にあるパーティールームでパーティをすることです。