A spring at twenty-five, with my dearest friend

Furisodation

A spring at twenty-five, with my dearest friend

2025.04.05 | Fujinomiya, Shizuoka

The two of them had made a promise back when they were twenty.

“At twenty-five, under the cherry blossoms, let’s wear furisode again and take a photograph together.”

When I heard about that dream, I decided to make photographs they would carry for the rest of their lives. I travelled from Tokyo to Fujinomiya three times to scout, and planned the shoot down to the details. All to leave them the finest memory I could.

Messages from Saya and Ayano

From Saya

The wish I had held since I was twenty — to wear furisode again at twenty-five and be photographed under the cherry blossoms — came true in the most beautiful way. It is a treasure for life. Koto, thank you so much!

From Ayano

I never dreamed we would be given photographs as lovely as these. The day itself, and all the time spent planning it, is one long wonderful memory. I want to ask Koto again at every turning point in life.

After the shoot

Saya, Ayano — thank you for letting me photograph you. From the moment I heard your dream, I had been preparing for this day. The sight of the two of you laughing under the cherry blossoms was genuinely beautiful. To have kept a five-year-old promise in the best way I knew how — as a photographer, there is no greater happiness. I hope to be there at the turning points of your lives from here on, too.

Koto

Shall we keep your moments in photographs, too?

Photographs you will treasure for a lifetime.

Talk about a shoot