[Komeiji Koishi Cosplay] The Unconscious Youkai of Touhou Project — Zhejiang THO5 Convention Photos

For this Zhejiang THO5, I went as Komeiji Koishi. The entire costume has so many details: three layers of lace ruffles, a black ruffled wide-brimmed hat, and that iconic blue globe prop. Combined with the dark green skirt and pale yellow top, the layering is incredibly rich. Shooting actually put my angles to the test because the hat is so large that tilting my head down slightly would cover half my face. So, I specifically looked for a few poses that would reveal my facial features, such as looking back over my shoulder and a front half-body shot.

It was incredibly hot both inside and outside the venue. The convention center's AC wasn't strong enough, and on top of that, this Lolita style dress was thick and heavy, so I had to apply several cooling sheets to push through. The lighting on-site was quite complex. Overhead lighting easily creates harsh shadows, so most of the photos relied on natural light supplemented by a reflector panel, without using too many flashlights, to preserve the texture and colors of the outfit as much as possible.

For my makeup, I intentionally toned down the eyeshadow and emphasized the false eyelashes and slender eyeliner, paired with a light blue wig, aiming to recreate that ethereal yet slightly eccentric temperament. Actually, since Koishi's character concept is 'unconscious,' my expressions didn't need to be too vivid during the photoshoot; staring blankly into space actually captured the right vibe. The best part of attending the convention was meeting several fellow fans and taking convention photos for each other from different angles. Although it was physically exhausting, seeing the contrast of light and shadow and the 3D depth of the fabric folds in the final pictures made everything worth it. The dress was custom-made by a tailor over two months, and the black lace on it is fully hand-beaded, so the details can truly withstand close-up shots. The venue had a row of floor-to-ceiling windows, and the afternoon light spilling onto the skirt was exceptionally gentle, though unfortunately, we only caught two shots. I hope the next convention is cooler so I can properly do an outdoor shoot.