Prologue: Creeping Feelings

Kyoto’s Teramachi-Sanjo district consists of several shopping streets. You might think that the long arcade is one big shopping district, but it actually differs on a street-by-street basis. Starting from Oike Street is the Teramachi Specialist Shops street, and if you keep going down Teramachi Street, it turns into the Sanjo Famous Stores street. Next to that are the Teramachi Kyogoku and Shinkyogoku shopping streets. Farther down is the Nishiki Market, which is known nationwide as “Kyoto’s kitchen.” It sounds complicated when I describe it like this, and even many Kyoto residents don’t have a good grasp on it, let alone tourists. But, the people who come here don’t necessarily need to know which street is which. You can stroll through the shopping streets in whichever order comes naturally. The various stores are packed tightly side by side, and you even come across small shrines and temples.

The antique store Kura is nestled within this complicated, maze-like shopping district. Its modest signage fails to catch the eye of many passersby, but if you notice it, you’ll find that it emits a mysterious charm. Inside, it’s a blend of Japanese and Western aesthetics, with a chandelier, antique sofa, bookshelves, and a lacquered chest of drawers against the wall next to the counter. It feels like a retro-modern cafe. A large grandfather clock goestick-tock, and faint jazz music plays in the background as if matching its rhythm. Various antiques and goods are displayed on the shelves. It always feels like time is stopped in here.

I—Aoi Mashiro, a part-time worker here—was dusting the merchandise as usual while glancing towards the counter, where an attractive youn