From Homemaker to Chichibu Meisen Artisan's Wife

Sonoe, who always had a passion for handcrafts like dressmaking and sewing, studied textile design and went on to work in the planning department for custom-made curtains at a textile trading company.

"I created sample books for curtain orders and consulted with weavers, asking things like, "Can you make this kind of fabric?" I also had opportunities to work with textiles in other ways, like helping with displays at exhibitions and department stores."

It was there she met Norio, a designer two years her junior who would become her husband. Her first impression of him was that he was a very earnest person.

"He worked in the design office, and even though he dressed casually in sweatshirts and batik (wax-resist dyed) shirts, he was a very sincere person deep down. His parents even came to the company to pay their respects, which left me with the impression that he came from a good family. People around me would say I had heart eyes for him—that’s how smitten I was."

After Sonoe changed jobs, the two married. She left her career to raise a family, and blessed with four children, she enjoyed a full life dedicated to her home and kids.

A turning point came when Sonoe was 38. Norio announced his decision to become an artisan and take over his family's business, a Chichibu Meisen weaving workshop.

"I had always been prepared for the day he might take over the family business, so I didn't hesitate. I just said, "Okay.""

When asked if she was worried about such a drastic life change, Sonoe replied, "Not at all."

"Looking back now, I was incredibly naive, but I just believed things would work out. Even my father-in-law tried to talk us out of it, saying, "You’re better off staying in Tokyo,\" but I insisted, "We’ll be fine!" and so we moved to Chichibu."