[Ryuge Kisaki cosplay] The majesty of Shanhaijing, belated birthday wishes

A day-late birthday greeting sent to the most majestic (strikethrough) kid in Shanhaijing—Ryuge Kisaki! Although yesterday was her official birthday, this heartfelt wish could never be omitted. Shooting this combination of Qipao and cloak took quite a long time, with repeated adjustments made to everything from clothing embroidery to accessory details. The deep blue velvet Qipao with subtle patterns feels premium when worn, and the gold dragon embroidery shines prominently under studio lighting. The high-slit design preserves traditional Qipao charm while allowing ease for various postures. The grey-purple striped off-shoulder outerwear is one of my favorite elements; its loose silhouette contrasts with the form-fitting Qipao, while fingerless gloves instantly add a cool, tactical edge to the otherwise soft setting.

Regarding props, this black spear was specifically prepared for this style. Initially I thought it would be difficult to handle, but holding it actually enhanced the story-like atmosphere of the overall visual. We experimented with several poses during shooting: the relaxed vibe of sitting barefoot on a wooden platform swinging legs, the playful mood of standing while resting chin on one hand, and the gentle moment holding a floral bouquet. Personally, I love the final composition holding pink flower branches; pairing the traditional Chinese screen with the ink bamboo backdrop brought the Chinese retro aura to its peak. The wig features twin buns with silver crescent hair accessories, with bangs trimmed just right so they don't obstruct vision, and bow decorations adding a touch of nimble grace.

For makeup this time, I intentionally opted for a translucent base with red-brown eye shades, softening any sharpness the look might carry and accentuating her gap-moe trait—appearing majestic on the outside yet childish within. Throughout the shoot, the photographer continuously guided me to capture "unintentional" moments, such as adjusting cuffs or looking down at flowers; these subtle movements felt far more natural than forced posing. In truth, the aesthetic of Shanhaijing has always fascinated me—the collision of traditional Chinese elements with hints of Chinese retro and modern touches was precisely the core essence I wished to express through this Ryuge Kisaki cosplay.

Because preparations were somewhat rushed, I was still adjusting prop placement the night before, but thankfully the final photos did not disappoint. Moving around in this outfit is honestly not very convenient—especially with the high slit and long outerwear sleeves—but enduring a bit for the visual result was entirely worth it. I hope this belated birthday log allows everyone to see a different side of Ryuge Kisaki: both a composed older-sister presence and an occasional pouty child's temperament. I was in good shape on the day of shooting; despite the warm temperature inside the studio, seeing the visuals in the viewfinder made every effort worthwhile. Given the chance in the future, I'd love to shoot a night scene or rainy day version, which I feel would have even stronger narrative tension. Sharing these four photos for now—thank you to everyone reading this far, and if you like them, I'll post some behind-the-scenes clips later in this Anime-style photography journal!