[Hiyuki Cosplay] Wuthering Waves Japanese Style Blade: Behind-the-Scenes Photo Record

For this shoot, I decided to try this highly stylized red-and-white Japanese style attire. The scene was deliberately arranged into a traditional Japanese tatami room, where the backdrop featuring a red sun and white cranes, combined with the cherry blossom branches in the foreground, formed a frame rich in Eastern classical charm. Since the early preparation time was quite sufficient, our control over the accessories of this outfit and the final photographic frames was exceptionally meticulous.

Let's first talk about the details of the outfit itself. The upper body features a white off-the-shoulder outer garment. This irregular cut demands high standards for the shoulder and collarbone lines, but it also perfectly showcases a sense of casual free-spiritedness. Apart from the black inner lining edges, the neckline also incorporates many golden cross-shaped patterned metallic components; these small accessories are highly exquisite. The waist structure can be called the most complex part of the entire outfit—a multi-layered black and white color-blocked corset, combined with metallic buckles and dangling ornaments carrying a black draped feel, blends together to greatly enrich the visual layers of the waistline. Paired with a large expanse of layered red fabric at the hem, it gives the overall look a very substantial and heavy feel.

To fit this styling infused with Japanese elements, I wore a pure white wig with blunt bangs, paired with vibrant red contact lenses. The intense contrast of red and white instantly maximizes visual tension. For the makeup, I deliberately softened the dark contours of the eyes and eyebrows, choosing a relatively soft and icy translucent lip color, giving off an overall sharp yet introverted cool detachment.

The prop prepared is a full-length Shirasaya sword, featuring a completely white scabbard and hilt, with only simple golden engraved patterns detailing the tsuba (handguard). Holding it in hand actually reveals quite a bit of weight, far from the lightweight feel of toy models. Seated in a formal seiza posture on the tatami requires maintaining body stability, and adjusting arm strength to keep the sword upright was the hardest movement to master, as it requires ensuring coordination between the center of gravity and the posture.

The first image is a shot of me sitting properly holding the sword. The frame is relatively dignified, with the red-and-white skirt spread across the tatami, giving the overall composition a great sense of balance. The second photo features a cross-legged sitting posture with hands slightly raised in the air; this angle beautifully showcases the white straps on my thighs, as well as the exquisite hardware accessories around the waist and abdomen area, while the white flower accents on the short boots serve as a clever detail. The third image is a back-profile look-back over the shoulder pose, where the cherry blossom branches are blurred in front of the lens, and the wide flowing sleeves and layered depths of the back drape open, seamlessly blending with the red sun and white crane screen behind me.

There were a few memorable interludes during the shooting process. White clothes are extremely prone to overexposure under intense lights, while the layers of the red fabric must remain sufficiently clear. Therefore, the photographer put a lot of effort into controlling the studio lights, relying directly on hard lighting within the studio to bring out the garment's texture. Especially the tatami on the floor—the rough texture of this material combined with an excellent lighting environment makes it very easy to capture great shots. Additionally, because the sleeves of the costume are quite wide, they would occasionally accidentally tangle with the sword hilt or the hair accessories on my head when performing movements, requiring us to stop and rearrange everything at any time, which heavily tested our patience during the shoot.

The process of putting on and taking off the entire costume is rather tedious, especially those straps, buckles, and hanging pieces around the waist. Later on, to adjust the position of the upper garment's neckline, we even checked the video playback several times. However, the feeling of fine-tuning everything step-by-step and finally seeing the final outcome makes it all entirely worth it. Being able to capture the characteristics of the clothes and the temperament of the character is inherently a very joyful thing.

The theme this time, "Flying Blossoms and Falling Snow," actually echoes the red sun and white cranes on the screen in the scene, as well as the pink cherry blossoms in the foreground. The white wig and pure white sword body resemble snow, while the red skirt hem and the red sun on the screen embody the imagery of falling blossoms. This contrast and fusion of colors were beautifully restored in the photos. During the shoot, it also required me to maintain a state of motion within stillness—my gaze had to be calm, yet my movements had to carry a sense of power. It can be considered a wonderful attempt at expressive presence through cosplay photography and Japanese style cosplay.