The Path of Expression: Two Faces of a Model and Accountant

I work as a model and also as a temporary employee handling accounting in a manga editorial department. As a model, I do a variety of things, but recently, beauty, health, and hair-related work have been my main focus.

First, for modeling, since I am very tall (177 cm), I wanted to find a job that could make use of my height. Also, since I had always lacked confidence, I wanted to gain confidence, which led me to pursue modeling. For the manga editorial department, I am a big manga fan, and although I had no experience in editing, I did have accounting experience from other temporary jobs, so I thought it would be the perfect environment if I could do accounting there, and that's why I applied.

Since modeling as a freelancer doesn't provide a stable income, I work as a temporary employee to earn a more stable income.

I started modeling in my 20s, and I think my mental state has changed a lot. When you lack confidence, especially in modeling where there are many auditions, you rarely pass, and each rejection makes you lose more confidence, making you feel like 'I'm really no good.' That changed, which is why I can continue modeling, and I think my chances of passing have increased.

It was after I moved to Tokyo. When I was in my teens, I never thought about becoming a model. When I was working part-time at a local store, a related store that was like an apparel select shop was holding a fashion show in my hometown. Since I was tall, I was told to 'give it a try,' and when I experienced the fashion show, I felt something that couldn't be created by one person alone, and I was very moved by it. The sense of accomplishment from creating something good made me think modeling was fun, which was my first trigger.

At that time, I was repeatedly gaining and losing weight. Since I belonged to a modeling agency, I was often told by managers to 'lose weight,' and I went through numerous diets. That was quite a struggle for me. When I lost weight, it was significant, but then the stress from dieting would accumulate, leading me to overeat again, returning to my original weight and even rebounding, gaining even more weight. This made the clothes I could wear change drastically, which was fatal as a model. So, maintaining the same style and body shape was the hardest thing for me.

When I was in the agency, I was still a newcomer, and although I had a manager, there were about six models per manager, so it wasn't much of a management feeling for me. Moreover, even the work I found myself had to go through the agency, and when I mentioned it, I was told 'I don't want you to do this job' even though it wasn't a strange job. This led to me not passing many auditions and not getting approval for the work I brought in. I started to think that being affiliated with the agency didn't have much meaning, so I resigned. After that, there was a gap in my modeling career, but during that time, I worked as a temporary employee in various industries. When I reached my 40s, casting companies emerged where I could find modeling jobs without going through an agency. I thought, 'Even as a freelancer, while doing other jobs, I can still be a model in this era.' Since it didn't seem like it would be too much of a burden, I thought I'd try modeling again while working. I really believe that I became a freelancer thanks to changes in my mindset about modeling work and the systems in the world.

The first fashion show I participated in was very memorable. It was held at a local shrine, so it felt like I was under the protection of the gods. Although the fashion was not traditional but rather modern, it was a fashion show that fused Japan with the latest trends, and I thought it was amazing to have it in a local area.

For modeling work, I've been speaking more recently. I've been focusing on how to speak well, pronunciation, enunciation, and whether my voice is easy to hear. Since video shooting has become more common, instead of just posing for photos, there's more talking and sometimes delivering lines. Since I haven't learned this at all, I'm thinking about where I can learn it and plan to study in the future. I think it will also contribute to my skill improvement.

I've always been gradually incorporating elements of being a talent or actress into my work. However, I've never done acting, so I've been appearing in vertical videos as a study. Also, I'm interested in live commerce. I think if I can speak well, I might get work, so I'm thinking a lot about how I can appear in live commerce.

As I mentioned before, I think I'll be doing more speaking-oriented entertainment activities. I'm currently practicing walking on my own and taking lessons, and I want to create videos of various places I've traveled to and upload them to SNS, so I think that will be more on track.

I'm 177 cm, but even in modeling, the required height varies depending on the genre, such as fashion or beauty and health. Even in fashion, the height requirement differs depending on whether you aim to be a model for fashion weeks in Paris, New York, or Milan, or a model for general ready-to-wear clothing magazines. For media that deal with ready-to-wear clothing, my height is actually too tall, and there are times when I get cut off because of it.

For modeling, despite the ups and downs, repeated failures and setbacks, but still continuing, that's my greatest pride.

I think there are tough and painful times, but as time passes, you tend to forget them. However, I think all of those experiences are nourishment, and that's why I'm where I am now. Looking back, it doesn't seem so tough, and I think, 'I'm here now,' so it's all good.

I'm really a nervous person. I sweat a lot on my hands. Before a fashion show, my hands sweat a lot. So, I'm the type who feels pressure easily, but when it's showtime, I somehow become mindless. After it's over, I sweat a lot. People often say I don't look like it, but I actually sweat a lot.

I do deep breathing, stretching, or loosening up my body. Also, it's about my mindset, like 'It's okay even if I fail,' 'I'm not going to die,' that kind of attitude. I think that lightens my mood a bit and allows me to face performances or shoots.

I think having a 'personal axis' is incredibly important in life. Whether it's modeling, temporary work, or any job, having a personal axis is crucial. If that axis doesn't waver, your mental state won't shake, and I think it will also lead to positive outcomes in beauty and health. I hope you value your personal axis.