Our reporter visits Arimatsu in Nagoya, a leading producer of tie-dyed fabrics once coveted as souvenirs around Japan. She marvels at the artisans' dexterity and speed and wanders through this 400-year-old town, once a post town on the old Tokaido highway, in a tie-dyed kimono with a guide. She also tries her hand at simple tie dyeing, and checks out prettily designed products and chic tie-dyed leather goods. Also, Japanese swords are recently enjoying popularity among Japanese females. But why?