Tsubame Iwato was born on March 10, 1977 and was six years older than her sister Tamaki Iwato. As a single mother, Tsubame gave birth to Suzume and raised her on her own in Akamae, Iwate. On May 24, 2010, she crafted a wooden chair as a birthday gift to her daughter.

(Source: Makoto Shinkai Wiki)