Nogizaka46 5th Generation "Sakutan's" Long-Awaited Solo Photo Book! Sakura Kawasaki's 1st Photo Book 'Etude' Released by Shinchosha on Tuesday, April 14!
Sakura Kawasaki's 1st photo book 'Etude' is released by Shinchosha on April 14, 2026. Shot in France, the highly anticipated book achieved 130,000 X followers and a pre-release reprint.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 19:08 (128h 36m after Collected)
Comment from the person herself
"A photo book that I want everyone to see has been completed.
I would be happy if this photo book becomes an opportunity for you to know about me."
The 1st photo book "Etude" of Sakura Kawasaki, also known as "Sakutan", a 5th-generation member of the idol group Nogizaka46, will be published by Shinchosha today, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
Photography / Ryuji Sue
Sakura Kawasaki's 1st photo book "Etude" surpassed 80,000 followers on its official X account in just 24 hours after the information was lifted. Since then, every time an advance cut is released, it has become a hot topic, with cumulative views of the advance cuts exceeding 40 million, and the official X followers reaching 130,000, which is unprecedented for recent photo books.
The momentum is unstoppable, with the largest ever panel exhibition held at "13 bookstores nationwide" for a solo photo book by a Sakamichi group member, and the implementation of a "Tokyo Metro Digital Rally" in collaboration with Tokyo Metro.
Furthermore, despite being prior to the release date, a pre-release reprint was decided on March 26. This shows the high expectations of the fans.
■ Nogizaka46 5th Generation Sakura Kawasaki 1st Solo Photo Book!
Among the multi-talented members of Nogizaka46's 5th generation, Sakura Kawasaki is a unique presence with experience in figure skating since childhood. She has gained popularity with her playfully cute character.
The location she desired for her first solo photo book shoot was France, a country she had admired for a long time.
Through shooting in two cities with different climates and atmospheres, unprecedented and diverse expressions were brought out.
In the seaside town of Nice in southern France, she bathes in plenty of sunlight, revealing natural expressions. She also challenged swimsuit and lingerie shoots.
On the other hand, in the city of flowers, Paris, she strolls through the fashionable streets and even took on her long-held wish of "skating at an ice rink in Paris."
Photography / Ryuji Sue
Photography / Ryuji Sue
She was also very particular about the costumes she wore, consulting with stylists before departure and having careful meetings to prepare.
Additionally, cuts of her in her own clothes and in a skating costume she helped design are also included.
By composing the photos "almost in chronological order of the shoot," the content naturally conveys how her heart gradually melts and how she frees herself. It is a book containing many expressions that have never been seen before.
Her figure showing a dignified expression wrapped in a dress, laughing with a wrinkled face unbothered by the camera, and lost in thought without makeup.
It has become a photo book that captures the 22-year-old her, fascinating the viewer with the breadth between her mature side and her innocent side.
Photography / Ryuji Sue
==
We will release the [Rakuten Books Limited Edition], [Seven Net Limited Edition], and [Sony Music Shop Limited Edition] with different covers.
Other bonuses and events will also be announced on the official photo book X (@sakuraphotobook) from time to time.
Photos released so far are archived on the photo book special site (https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/special/kawasakisakura1st/). Event information and bonus information are also planned to be posted in the future.
Official Photo Book X
Special Photo Book Site
■ Comment from Sakura Kawasaki
I've always admired the country of France since I was little.
When I first went to Paris on a trip in 2025, I thought, "If I'm ever allowed to release a photo book, I want to shoot it here," so I was really happy when the shoot in Paris was decided.
Also, visiting Nice for the first time, I felt a different charm from Paris and came to like it very much.
Being able to go to two cities with completely different atmospheres, Paris and Nice, allowed me to become a different version of myself, which was really great.
Before going to the shoot, I watched French movies and imagined, "I want to be this kind of girl when I wear these kinds of clothes," so I hope you can enjoy various sides of me.
I think it's a photo book like a movie, where you can see the changes from the 1st day to the 5th day.
I also chose the photos to include in the book one by one with great care.
A photo book that is packed with my preferences and that I want everyone to see has been completed. I would be happy if this photo book becomes an opportunity for you to know about me.
"A photo book that I want everyone to see has been completed.
I would be happy if this photo book becomes an opportunity for you to know about me."
The 1st photo book "Etude" of Sakura Kawasaki, also known as "Sakutan", a 5th-generation member of the idol group Nogizaka46, will be published by Shinchosha today, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
Photography / Ryuji Sue
Sakura Kawasaki's 1st photo book "Etude" surpassed 80,000 followers on its official X account in just 24 hours after the information was lifted. Since then, every time an advance cut is released, it has become a hot topic, with cumulative views of the advance cuts exceeding 40 million, and the official X followers reaching 130,000, which is unprecedented for recent photo books.
The momentum is unstoppable, with the largest ever panel exhibition held at "13 bookstores nationwide" for a solo photo book by a Sakamichi group member, and the implementation of a "Tokyo Metro Digital Rally" in collaboration with Tokyo Metro.
Furthermore, despite being prior to the release date, a pre-release reprint was decided on March 26. This shows the high expectations of the fans.
■ Nogizaka46 5th Generation Sakura Kawasaki 1st Solo Photo Book!
Among the multi-talented members of Nogizaka46's 5th generation, Sakura Kawasaki is a unique presence with experience in figure skating since childhood. She has gained popularity with her playfully cute character.
The location she desired for her first solo photo book shoot was France, a country she had admired for a long time.
Through shooting in two cities with different climates and atmospheres, unprecedented and diverse expressions were brought out.
In the seaside town of Nice in southern France, she bathes in plenty of sunlight, revealing natural expressions. She also challenged swimsuit and lingerie shoots.
On the other hand, in the city of flowers, Paris, she strolls through the fashionable streets and even took on her long-held wish of "skating at an ice rink in Paris."
Photography / Ryuji Sue
Photography / Ryuji Sue
She was also very particular about the costumes she wore, consulting with stylists before departure and having careful meetings to prepare.
Additionally, cuts of her in her own clothes and in a skating costume she helped design are also included.
By composing the photos "almost in chronological order of the shoot," the content naturally conveys how her heart gradually melts and how she frees herself. It is a book containing many expressions that have never been seen before.
Her figure showing a dignified expression wrapped in a dress, laughing with a wrinkled face unbothered by the camera, and lost in thought without makeup.
It has become a photo book that captures the 22-year-old her, fascinating the viewer with the breadth between her mature side and her innocent side.
Photography / Ryuji Sue
==
We will release the [Rakuten Books Limited Edition], [Seven Net Limited Edition], and [Sony Music Shop Limited Edition] with different covers.
Other bonuses and events will also be announced on the official photo book X (@sakuraphotobook) from time to time.
Photos released so far are archived on the photo book special site (https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/special/kawasakisakura1st/). Event information and bonus information are also planned to be posted in the future.
Official Photo Book X
Special Photo Book Site
■ Comment from Sakura Kawasaki
I've always admired the country of France since I was little.
When I first went to Paris on a trip in 2025, I thought, "If I'm ever allowed to release a photo book, I want to shoot it here," so I was really happy when the shoot in Paris was decided.
Also, visiting Nice for the first time, I felt a different charm from Paris and came to like it very much.
Being able to go to two cities with completely different atmospheres, Paris and Nice, allowed me to become a different version of myself, which was really great.
Before going to the shoot, I watched French movies and imagined, "I want to be this kind of girl when I wear these kinds of clothes," so I hope you can enjoy various sides of me.
I think it's a photo book like a movie, where you can see the changes from the 1st day to the 5th day.
I also chose the photos to include in the book one by one with great care.
A photo book that is packed with my preferences and that I want everyone to see has been completed. I would be happy if this photo book becomes an opportunity for you to know about me.