Continued from 1/2.
--The total production period for this book was 22 years, with the actual production taking just two years. Is there anything in particular that you'd like people to look out for?
This time, I wanted to mainly convey the fashion aspect of being a model. I wanted to try something new so that when people pick up this book, they'll think, "Oh, Rinka the person can be expressed in another way."
--There are also some original photos. How was the shoot?
In New York, I was photographed by the same photographer who shoots covers for Vogue, as well as a staff of foreigners based locally. This is because I wanted to be in an environment where I could be photographed purely as a model. For the cover shot, I had been thinking of something as natural as possible, but the photo that was ultimately chosen was one in which I was 100% in my model mode. In my usual magazine shoots, I often show my natural side, so it was a very refreshing experience.

The final shoot was themed around "everyday life," but even though I tried to portray everyday life as it was, I couldn't help but get into the mindset of being photographed, and I realized once again that photography is difficult.

--Has your view of fashion changed as you've gotten older?

The things I like haven't changed, but I don't wear the same items the same way I did when I was younger. I try to add my own unique touch to them. Lately, I've been enjoying styles that add a touch of my own personality, like stripes and denim, based on simple pieces, like adding pearls. Maybe that's why I cut my bangs shorter.

Also, as I've gotten older, I've started to pay more attention to the subtleties of length and become more conscious of balance. I've tried on a lot of different clothes, and I've made some mistakes, but I think my desire to look beautiful and cute, and my greed, have only gotten stronger.

--What are your plans for the future?

Until I was in my 30s, I was always thinking about what I wanted to be as a model, and that gave me energy and motivation to keep going. Now that I'm 40, I'm slowly starting to think about the kind of woman I want to be, and that's made me even busier. I'm full of curiosity and having a lot of fun.

I've also started to think about the ideal woman I want to be in my 50s. I want to look good, but also be "cool." For example, I want to be a woman who naturally exudes my strengths, confidence, and past experiences, without having to put on too much effort, like cutting my hair very short.