[Goutokuji Mike cosplay] A Lucky Cat in the Summer Woods

Flipping through this Goutokuji Mike cosplay set shot last year, I must say the fine, bright sunshine that day was truly perfect for shooting outdoor photos. At the time, I chose a quiet, serene wooded park where the overall environment was filled with lush green plants. Paired with this white-and-orange color-schemed costume, it looked both fresh and eye-catching visually. Although a year has passed, looking at the photos still brings back the great mood from the day of the shoot.

The character design of Goutokuji Mike itself is highly interesting, using a lucky cat as the inspiration archetype while blending in a young girl's charm. To recreate that light and nimble feel, this time I specially chose an elegant white ruffled miniskirt as the base, then adorned it with orange patchwork fabric, along with a thick red cord belt that serves as a great finishing touch. The small wooden hanging ornaments at the waist and the big fluffy tail on the back give the entire Kemonomimi girl outfit a bit more vividness in the details. The black fingerless gloves on the wrists and the choker add a bit of a playful, cool edge to the overall sweetness.

The most noteworthy part is that pair of wooden clogs. Shooting while wearing these traditional Japanese wooden clogs felt a bit unusual to walk in at first, but stepping on the stone steps and lawns truly offered a different kind of fun. The frames featuring the clogs happen to elongate the character's leg lines, which was a perspective I intentionally watched out for during composition. During the shoot, we experimented with different positions. There's a front close-up standing in front of a woven bamboo fence, holding a wooden blessing plaque in front of me; combined with the bamboo fence and stone steps background, the frame appears quite narrative. There are also playful actions like hopping on one leg on the open lawn, making the whole posture more relaxed and natural.

In terms of light usage, this set of photos makes full use of the characteristics of natural light. The rustling shadows of the trees in the woods and the sunlight spilling through the leaves formed mottled light spots on my body, completely filling up the atmosphere. This soft contrast under natural light allows the texture of the wig and the layering of the costume to be presented much better.

Looking back, to catch these moments in that green shaded area last year, I actually rushed back and forth quite a few times. I remember a moment on the lawn making a V-sign with one hand, and another pose with both hands raised and my body stretched out; although the ground was slightly uneven, running around was still very free while wearing this lightweight gear.

When cosplaying this character back then, I specifically researched the lucky cat culture of Goutokuji Temple, hoping to bring myself some good fortune with the help of this pleasing divine beast image. A year flew by in a flash. Although this set was shot a long time ago, the longer it remains in my photo album, the more I can appreciate the preciousness of the energy and passion from that time.

This year, the season of lush greenery has arrived again, and Goutokuji Mike is online once more. So I'll make a small blessing in my heart, hoping this calico cat can truly secure my financial luck this year, making everything go smoothly in both work and life. Looking through these photos counts as a simple review of last year's shooting results. As someone who loves doing outdoor cosplay, being able to integrate a beloved image into a natural environment and leave behind a clear photographic record is truly a very fulfilling thing.