[Kochiya Sanae Cosplay] Shrine Maiden Training Day from Touhou Project

The returned photos from Wenwen today were a wonderful surprise, especially the last full-body candid shot with my arms open wide—even the subtle folds of the white thigh-highs outfit were captured so clearly. She really understood the highlights of my look.

This time I cosplayed Kochiya Sanae, a character I dearly love in Touhou Project. A lot of effort went into this costume from prep to final shoot. Since the design features a white base with dark blue patterns, along with extensive gold trim and flowing ribbons, fabric selection was key. To recreate that light yet substantial feel, I specifically chose a fabric with a subtle pearlescent luster for the outer layer and soft cotton-linen for the lining, ensuring movements wouldn't look stiff. The ruffled cuffs and skirt hem were all hand-pleated; my hands were so sore from sewing, but seeing those naturally draped folds in the final photos made it all worth it.

As for props, the golden bell staff (kagura suzu) and the rectangular prayer plaque were the highlights. The bells are custom metal parts with noticeable weight, so holding them up for various poses during the shoot was quite a test of arm strength. Especially for the pose in photo 3—holding the staff with one hand while holding a talisman paper with the other—staying steady while keeping a natural expression took several practice runs. The plaque with turquoise ribbons used translucent chiffon, which fluttered into beautiful curves with the breeze, giving the overall look an ethereal feel.

The shooting day was overcast without direct sunlight, providing soft lighting that suited this traditional, flowing outfit remarkably well. We chose an outdoor roadway location where a high concrete wall covered in green ivy behind me served as a surprisingly great backdrop—the rugged stone wall created an interesting contrast with the refined shrine maiden attire. However, since the ground was asphalt with yellow traffic lines, we had to be mindful of composition during the outdoor cosplay shoot to prevent line cuts across the figure. The photographer's framing was meticulous, preserving environmental depth while ensuring the character remained the clear focus without letting the background overpower the shot.

The most enjoyable part of cosplaying this set was the interactive process during shooting. With many props to manage alongside the angles of the skirt and ribbons, I constantly communicated with the photographer about wind direction and hand height to avoid obscuring my face. Wenwen shot with great patience and excellent candid timing; for instance, in the close-up in photo 4 where I hold the prop with my head slightly tilted, the focus on my eyes was caught perfectly, bringing out the character's gentle yet determined demeanor.

Additionally, pairing the white thigh-highs outfit with black Mary Jane shoes was a personal favorite detail. It not only elongated my leg lines but also added a grounding dark contrast to the predominantly white color scheme. To prevent the stockings from wrinkling while walking during the shoot, I specifically chose a medium-thickness style, and the final look turned out very clean and crisp in the anime-style photography.

Looking back at these photos—from the back view holding a bow (though that was another friend) to the open front full-body poses—each shot captures a unique moment from that day. Though it wasn't a studio shoot with complex lighting setups, the color fidelity under natural light felt far more genuine, clearly showcasing fabric reflections and ribbon transparency. Experiences in outdoor cosplay like this always allow me to feel the vivid vitality of 2D characters brought into real-world settings.