I had heard about Tenko before arriving in Japan. I was told that her mother is an incredibly cool experimental musician who raised Tenko in Berlin and that they moved to Tokyo three years ago. Now 16, Tenko was making her own art, films, and clothes, and had recently performed, I learned, at the opening of the new Opening Ceremony store in Tokyo wearing only her underwear, painting the store’s walls. Needless to say, I was intrigued.
As serendipity would have it, I ran into Tenko at a party soon after my arrival in Tokyo. She agreed to be photographed at one of her favorite haunts, Hanayashiki, the city’s oldest amusement park. Thanks to her for modeling, and to Nao Koyabu for styling.
Rizvi Millinery tulle headpiece and Petit Costume dress from Lamp Harajuku, Tokyo.
Vintage headband with veil from Haight & Ashbury, Tokyo. Shirt, skirt, and shoes, Tenko’s own.
Vintage dress from Haight & Ashbury, Tokyo.
La Casita de Wendy dress and Kiwanda socks from Lamp Harajuku. Vintage floral-print shoes from Haight & Ashbury.
Muveil cardigan and skirt from from Lamp Harajuku. Sailor Moon bag, Tenko’s own.
Vintage T-shirt, dress, and running shorts from Haight & Ashbury, Tokyo. Loafers, Tenko’s own.
Bag by Olympia Le Tan.
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Rookie is an online magazine and book series for teenagers. Each month, a different editorial theme drives the writing, photography, and artwork that we publish. Learn more about us here, and find out how to submit your work here!
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38 Comments
These pictures just make me so happy! I can’t explain it, they just do…
Love it!
I absolutely adore this! *__* The colors, the clothes, the environment. Everything is amazing!
THOSE BOWS.
THEY ARE AMAZING.
THEY ARE… AMAZING.
PIKACHUUUUUUUUUU
I love Tokyo as much as I love these outfits ♥
I am so totally in love with this
Oh my god I want to go there so bad! And these pictures are stunning, especially number sixteen. And I loved the gigantic Pikachu in the last one. ^_^
soooooo dreamy!!!! love the colours ♥
That place looks like an absolute dream! And I’m totally jealous of all of her clothes and the way she pulls it all off.
Tenko sounds like an amazing person. She’s so pretty too!
This is, hands down. my FAVORITE PHOTO SHOOT!! Everything is perfect!!!!!!!
Probably my fave eye candy yet! I’ve been to Japan but every day I WANT TO GO BACK! It’s an amazing country! All the clothes are super cool too :)!
Wow!! It’s all so great I want to be there!
this!! is!!! so!!! perfect!!!!! woweee!!!!
so vibrant and stunning. 3, 7, 11, 17 are my favs!
This is gorgeous! It makes me want to be her best friend.
so so so so so cute! my favorite rookie photoshot BY FAR
Am I the only one who thinks she looks like Winnie Cooper in a lot of these pictures? :)
I was thinking the same thing!
OMG, speaking of The Wonder Years, imdb just informed me that today’s Fred Savage’s bday, and he is THIRTY SEVEN :O Where did my youth gooooOOOooooOOOoooooooo?
one of the best photo sets so far! you really are an amazing artist!!
really like this one!
I love this so much I cant even stand it
Nice pictures ! This seems to be such a cool place…
And thanks for the 11th, kinda made my morning :)
Number 14, 15 and 21 are the best!!! (in my opinion)
Stylebruch.blogspot.com
These photos are so beautiful! *cries* Japan looks so amazing and I love Tenko’s clothes! especially that olympia dental floss bag
-Aida
2,7, and 21 are my favorites. Seven was just too beautiful. I think I adore vintage hats with veils a tad too much. And yes, it is possible to adore something too much!
So cool!!
THIS IS MY FAVORITE PHOTO SHOOT
these made my day…
so cute and adorable!! and pretty perfect*-*
This is so strange — I used to ride the school bus with Tenko when we were six or seven and both living in Berlin! The pictures are amazing.
I’ve been waiting for soooooooooo long to hear more about Tenko. Thankyou!”!!! I saw her in a Selby blog post and she intrigued me so much ut i couldn’t find out much about her and the lo and behold ELEANOR HARDWICK the most amazing and extraordinary photographer in the world takes photos of her for Rookie!!! WHAT IS LIFE?!?!?!?
P.S: These are beautiful eleanor and it makes me nostalgic for tokyo again <3
I love these so much!!<3 and I want to go to tokyo so badly! <3 <3 <3
love these, she’s beautiful, and the clothes….plus they make me really want to go to Tokyo!
she is so stunning!!! loving the tulle headpieces!
Love love love love 11, 13 and 19
i love theeese coloursss
Tenko<3