As I write this in the fall of 2023, Kana Nakada is known as a model, singer, TV celebrity, owner of Chun Cafe, and a professional Mahjong player; in addition, she provides a continuing role as mentor for many of Nogizaka46’s active members. Since discovering her through my research into Nogizaka46 (which ironically began the week she announced her graduation in July of 2020), I’ve come to realize she is one of the most fascinating celebrities in Japan.

While most of the readers here are interested in her photobook (and for good reason), there is something about this amazing woman and her unique charm that can only be appreciated by being in her presence; fortunately for my son and I, we had the fleeting opportunity to experience exactly that on our trip to Japan this summer. Though I have been the proud owner of her photobook for over a year, the few moments spent with her provided the completing chapter of the full Kana Nakada Experience; in effect, a careful study of the beautiful photography from the book only begins to reveal a sliver of the true charm that Kana-San possesses. For us, it proved to be a primer to prepare us for meeting the real thing.

For most mortals (including beautiful women), the art of still shots in photography centers around capturing that one magic moment when the lighting is just right, the hair and makeup perfectly complements the surroundings and environment, and the model gives just the right look to the camera for that fraction of a second. My experience in meeting Ms. Nakada had none of those advantages; no cameras were running, no magical lighting, just a café owner at the hosting stand, showing us to our table and serving our order. On any given day in Tokyo, the scene could play out thousands of times; so, what made this one different? In a word, Kana-san herself.

In reflecting on that wonderful afternoon, and the fleeting moment with a person who changed the course of my life, I realize that only “dynamic” descriptions truly do her justice. Words such as refined, graceful, charming, elegant, and gracious only begin to provide the reader with an image of my experience. In mathematical terms of calculus, while the photobook may provide the Derivative, meeting this beauty provided me with information regarding “The Area Under the Curve” (and what curves they were). The powerful voice that has been known to reverberate the stands at Tokyo Dome had an almost breathy and compassionate softness as she spoke, and her motions as she walked across the floor were the envy of many of the most ardent ballet dancers. Everything about her in three dimensions exudes beauty. To what extent her years spent as a Nogizaka46 Idol contributed to this would be the subject of another book; however, suffice it to say that Kana-san and her 1st and 2nd generation sisters especially were a part of something that fortune allows only once every hundred years: a chance where talented and beautiful women can achieve their full potential surrounded by the support and framework of a strong sisterhood.

In closing, I would invite the reader to enjoy the book and find his favorite among the selection (there are many, with mine being the brown knit sleeveless dress); as your eyes behold such rare beauty, take a moment to appreciate that the real Nakada Kana is even more stunning and unforgettable in person. Also, if you have the chance, I’d highly recommend her latest TV show about horse racing, filmed in Sapporo; her state of relaxation and excitement is a very good representation of the person I met. . .Forever entertaining!

とても奇麗な写真集です。

いい女

ページ数が多くて、見やすいです。

いい感じ

乃木坂であまりでしたが　この写真集は最高　いい女です

綺麗な写真集です。髪を短くして、大人の落ち着きと色気が出て、より美しいと思うことが多くなりましたが、髪型にアレンジが効かない分、写真集になると表情にバリエーションがない分少し単調にかんじてしまいます。が、ないものねだりなんだろうな、とも思います。3年ほど前にOVERTUREという雑誌に載っていた、踊っていた中田さんがとにかく美しくて、そのときのレビューには中田第2全盛期と書いたりもしましたが、そういったダンスの躍動感の一瞬を切りとったようなカットがなかったのも少し残念でした。

ただ、あくまで写真集としては、卒業ということもあり、中田さんの色気、美しさをしっかりおさめた、いい作品だと思います。アンダーメンバーの中でも特に、言葉を取り繕うのが上手でない方で、アンダーライブなどに行けない自分なんかが応援してる、って言っても嬉しくないだろうな、と思っていますが、それでも9年間頑張ってきてくれた中田さんには乃木坂ファンとしては感謝していますし、テレビでのパフォーマンスで指先、目線まで拘ったダンスはやはり眼を引きましたから、卒業は非常に残念です。最後の1万字インタビューは必ず読んでほしいですね。インタビュアーの方のＱがかなり踏み込んでいて良かったです。

☆５つ

内容は決して悪くないんだが、期待し過ぎた分ちょっと弱い印象でした。

ウワサの胸もそこまでのインパクトはなく、

本人もかなりセクシーに撮ってもらったと言っていたが、想像の範囲内で

よくある写真集だなって感じでした。

Ordered the item and tracking said it would show up in a month, but it took a week to get here. Very satisfied

You get alot more than what you bargain for with this photobook. Its very nice