[Ibuki Suika cosplay] Touhou Project Autumn Reitaisai: Hyakki Yagyou

Today at Autumn Reitaisai, I finally presented this long-prepared Ibuki Suika cosplay to fellow fans. What captivates me most about this ensemble is its distinctive design philosophy, melding the untamed ferocity of the oni clan with maidenly sweetness. The two colossal tree-trunk-styled horns atop my head are extraordinarily eye-catching; to anchor them, I engineered an intricate internal support structure wound with thick purple cord and metal chains on the outside. These iron chains serve far beyond mere ornament—they trail downward to encircle my waist and skirt, producing a crisp metallic clatter as I walk, perfectly evoking the "unceasing banquet and revelry" ambiance of the Hyakki Yagyou. Complementing this lore, an authentic wooden gourd hangs suspended from the right horn while I clutch another in hand, seamlessly articulating the character's boisterous, sake-loving nature during poses.

The costume boasts an immense array of artisanal details. The oversized red-and-gold bow across the chest is tailored from lustrous brocade satin, centered with a bright yellow blossom accent. The top adopts a sleeveless white silhouette with lace frills along the shoulders, while black leather studded wristbands wrap the wrists to inject a sharp touch of combat-ready flair. The lower half features a multi-tiered puff skirt: the top tier showcases pale-purple cherry blossom prints, transitioning into solid purple through the middle layer, and concluding with a deep-purple bottom hem adorned with gilded patterns, where each flounce is edged with white lace trimming. The black leather belt cinched at the waist, detailed with metal O-rings and rivets, was specifically styled to anchor the ferocious oni theme. I also hung a white-and-red fox mask at my hip to weave in traditional Japanese youkai motifs.

Being at Autumn Reitaisai, the venue's collective energy was phenomenal. Sporting a vibrant orange wig with light-colored contact lenses, complemented by makeup that was both sharp and playfully mischievous, navigating the convention floor required constant core balance and an upright posture due to the weight of the horns and chains; this naturally helped me tap into that confident, faintly proud demeanor when striking poses. Grasping the gourd with a slight head tilt toward the lens beneath the ambient event lights, the captured frames far surpassed my expectations. Numerous fans recognized the character, sparking wonderful conversations about Touhou Project—that shared community passion is truly unparalleled. Preserving untangled chains and steady horns amidst bustling crowds and tricky convention lighting demanded relentless patience. Throughout the day, I explored varied perspectives, like resting one hand on my hip gripping the mask or cradling the gourd with both hands. These props are never static decor; they help me sink effortlessly into character, channeling Suika's nonchalant yet commanding aura.

While assembling this elaborate outfit and prop setup required substantial time to tame the chains and secure the horns, the final result was deeply rewarding. Capturing these frames before the lens was pure joy, and I look forward to bringing this ensemble to diverse locations to experiment with even more dynamic poses and compositions.