I was exceptionally tall from a young age.
I was so tall, in fact, that I was always the height of students two grades above me. By the time I was in sixth grade, I had reached 170 cm. A sixth grader with a school backpack, standing at 170 cm. I stood out, to say the least. Looking back now, I think, "Why not try to enjoy the situation?" But at the time, that was the furthest thing from my mind; I was seriously contemplating how to stop myself from growing any taller. I tried hunching over to appear shorter, and when I heard that sleeping made you grow, I'd try to sleep in a cardboard box, much to my mother's distress. My height, my biggest and most profound complex—but I decided to accept the reality that "what grows, grows" and make a change. As a counter-intuitive approach, I decided to try and view my height concerns as a positive. Then, it struck me that I could pursue a career that made use of my height in the future.



It was during this time, holding these thoughts alone, that I encountered "YAWARA!" It's a judo manga.

I was completely captivated by the exciting storyline and dynamic illustrations. I read it obsessively. The profound saying, "Softness controls hardness," the complex yet not overly complicated human relationships and the protagonist's wavering heart, and the countless physically demanding experiences—I felt joy and sorrow with each turn of the page, seeing my own struggles reflected in her growth. So moved was I, still in the throes of adolescence, that I even considered changing my future dream from modeling to "judo..."

Looking back now, I can view those feelings from that time with a bittersweet, ticklish, and peculiar sensation. The protagonist's hesitation in the face of events unfolding before her might have been a mirror of my own heart.

—At the end of "YAWARA!", the protagonist, transitioning from girl to woman, makes a decision.
I too, once made a decision to pursue the path of modeling. It wasn't just about dreaming; the book that gave me the courage to take steps toward its realization was by my side then, as it is now. My life is intertwined with books.



Nanae Ubukata
Born August 17. A top model who has appeared in numerous fashion magazines, domestic and international brand collections, and advertisements.
From the January 2009 issue, she appeared as the new muse for the women's fashion magazine "Grazia" (Kodansha). Recently, she has been active in a wide range of fields, including TV and radio appearances. Her healthy beauty is drawing attention from many quarters as an Asian beauty with global appeal, originating from Japan. She is knowledgeable not only in fashion but also in books, films, theater, and ceramics.

Official Blog
http://blog.excite.co.jp/grazia-nanaeubukata
TEN CARAT Plume
http://tencarat-plume.jp