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.

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.