The sweetest part is that “Silver Tetsuya’s” photographer is none other than his beloved grandson.
Japan’s low birthrate and aging population are two of the biggest challenges facing its society today. Rounding out the very bottom of the list of the country’s 47 prefectures in terms of lowest proportion of children to total population is Akita Prefecture in the northern Tohoku region at 10.1 percent. While that means the relatively rural, mountainous Akita Prefecture is overflowing with seniors, at least one of those citizens is gaining some unlikely attention for his killer style.
Meet the 84-year-old former teacher from Akita known online as @SLVR.TETSUYA. His newfound fame is thanks to his grandson, Twitter user @yeah70, who one day decided to dress him in fashionable clothing and then upload the photos online. The positive response was so overwhelming that @yeah70 then created an Instagram account for his grandfather to continue uploading more fashion shoot spreads. The account is currently boasting 28,500 followers whom are affectionately referred to as “students.”
The grandfather-grandson team is so effective that we wouldn’t be surprised if some of the hottest fashion magazines come knocking on Silver Tetsuya’s door in the very near future.
Sometimes the photos come with interesting quotes or anecdotes such as: “I’m part of the generation that thought having your picture taken would steal your soul.”
▼ Here’s an adorable photo with his 84-year-old wife, Chizuko, garbed in her ordinary citizen’s attire.
▼ Silver Tetsuya looks absolutely ready to drop an album in this stunner.
Net users couldn’t get enough of the unlikely fashion model and left their compliments online:
“This…is too cool.”
“At 84, he’s a late-blooming model of exploding popularity.”
“It’s not just the high fashion, but also the skill of the photographer and the subject.”
“The stylish clothes in contrast to the countryside scenery really highlights your grandfather’s vigor. I love it so much that I’d also like to see you dress other grandfathers and grandmothers and then release a photo collection.”
“I bet that’s what you’ll look like 60 years from now…!”
Be sure to follow Silver Tetsuya’s Instagram if you want to follow his further forays into high fashion. If he’d like to expand his skills from modeling to singing, perhaps he could join the Rishiri Boys hip hop unit just a bit to the north!
Source: Twitter/@yeah70 via Togetter
Featured image: Twitter/@yeah70
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Taiwanese model selling fish draws a crowd to her family’s business【Videos】
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Taiwanese model selling fish draws a crowd to her family’s business【Videos】
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
Japanese man drives truck that’s on fire directly to fire station, drops flaming potatoes[Videos]
Dinner is served! Get your teeth into giant marine isopods – tastes just like chicken!
These gorgeous photos of 19th century Japan might as well be a time machine 【Photos】
Coca-Cola “Slim Bottle” City Designs range showcases top tourist spots in Japan
Why don’t busty Fatal Fury ninja girl Mai’s clothes ever tear? We ask the developers
Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle tapestry unveiled in Japan for first time
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan