Preparing this Touhou Project outfit for Tenshi Hinanawi took a really long time. From styling the wig and fitting the costume to adjusting accessories and refining how I held the prop sword, every single detail was checked repeatedly. The long blue curly hair required multiple layers of combing and setting to achieve the best texture, and the red contacts captured light beautifully on camera, instantly putting me into character. The shoot took place in an indoor studio where a dark background helped build a cool, crisp atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the orange-red glow of the sword.
A stepladder served as a helpful prop on set—it made low-angle shots that accentuate leg length easier to capture, though keeping my balance took careful effort. The first photo features a sword-wielding pose where I adjusted my wrist angle multiple times, not just to look cool, but also to keep the entire curve of the sword visible in the frame. The second photo is the one chosen for the cover: to complement the flared skirt and tall boots, I shifted my center of gravity so my leg line stretched out naturally. The multi-strapped black boots showed their contours best in this seated pose, conveying the character's aloof yet tsundere style. The third photo is more of a close-up focused on expressions and eye contact, requiring an intense gaze into the lens to capture that haughty yet subtly cute contrast.
The costume has a tremendous amount of detail—such as the oversized red bow centered at the chest, as well as the intricate skirt prints and fan motifs, all meticulously crafted to stay true to the 2D original. The tassel details on the cuffs and the peach ornament on the hat needed constant attention during shooting, as they could easily get messy and affect the overall polish. Walking around all day in tall boots and a heavy skirt was genuinely tiring, but seeing the preview shots on screen made all the effort worthwhile. The photographer tried various lighting setups, particularly making the luminous edge of the sword stand out against the dim background to enhance visual impact. Touhou Project characters have always been highly recognizable, and Tenshi Hinanawi is especially captivating. This shoot was not only a practice in cosplay, but also a journey into a deeper understanding of the character. The chemistry between my state and the props was seamless, and the final photos achieved the desired effect—the entire process was full of fun.