[Seiga Kaku Cosplay] Taoist Hermit in Touhou Project: Aspiring for Immortality

The theme of "aspiring for immortality" is fully embodied in this Seiga Kaku cosplay from Touhou Project. From the moment I decided to cosplay this character, I wanted to materialize that Taoist immortal spirit drifting between reality and illusion. In terms of makeup, I emphasized translucency and sharp eyes, which, paired with this cyan-blue double-bun wig decorated with white plum blossoms and bead chains, fits the setting closely. However, this wig was actually extremely difficult to secure—especially since it had to hold accessories simultaneously; bigger movements could easily cause it to slide off, heavily testing the photographer's timing for candid captures. For costume, I chose an off-the-shoulder light white gauze outer coat with a blue-green cross-collar lining, complemented by a pink flower accessory around the neck that nicely balanced the cool tones. My favorite part is the long staff in hand, decorated with white plum blossoms at the top and long white tassels hanging down; when swung, the arc traced by the tassels perfectly matches the image of a Taoist immortal.

My shooting partner this time, Sakuya (female photographer version 📸), is truly amazing at shooting. Under her lens, I especially love her grasp of scene composition and dynamic posture. The studio set featured wooden lattice windows and a corridor, adorned with scattered white plum branches, drooping lotus leaf silhouettes, and two lifelike crane ornaments. During wide shots, massive dry ice smoke created a feeling of riding on clouds; standing inside, the skirt and light gauze flowed naturally with the swirling mist, making it effortless to immerse oneself in that environment. When shooting close-ups, we adjusted the light sources; she used soft diffuse light to soften facial shadows while precisely capturing the interaction between fingers and props.

In fact, playing a character like Seiga Kaku, the hardest parts besides standing postures and hand gestures lie in conveying that calm, unhurried gaze. Throughout the process, the photographer and I refined many details, such as using the staff to partially block the chin and neck to frame a smaller face while revealing elegant collarbone lines in close-ups. After finishing this set, I felt as if I had been soaked in dry ice mist—though a bit chilly, the final quality made all the effort completely worth it. A great work of art is not merely a stack of costume, makeup, and props, but a perfect aesthetic resonance. From initial concepts to final post-processing, thanks to the entire behind-the-scenes team. I poured many personal interpretations of the character into this photo set, hoping to authentically convey this ethereal, misty atmosphere to everyone who sees the photos, allowing them to enjoy this Chinese style photography visual journey toward immortality.