Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
X JAPAN NORTH AMERICAN TOUR ANNOUNCED. HIDE IS ALIVE: MEMORIAL MERCHANDISE AT MARUI ONE SHINJUKU, HIDE'S LEMONED SHOP IN TOKYO.
X Japan has announced a NORTH AMERICAN concert tour! As you may already know, the legendary Visual Kei band will be at Otakon convention in Baltimore (July 30-Aug 1) and Chicago’s Lollapalooza (Aug 6-8). Now, they’ve announced a full tour across the US and Canada, starting in California on October 1. The cities will include Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Boston. (Source)
X Japan has been around since the dark ages (ok, they formed in 1982). Guitarist Hide (pronounced Hee-deh) tragically passed away in 1998 — thirteen years ago! But the band lives on, and is now finding new fans outside Japan. This spring, Marui One Shinjuku set up a special Lemoned Shop to commemorate Hide.
In addition to selling Hide merchandise, the store displayed the legend’s guitars such as the one played in Endless Rain.
While this was only a month-long special exhibit, you can always visit Hide’s Lemoned Shop in Harajuku, which sells goodies with a slightly worn or malformed aspect (hence the name “lemoned”). The boutique was also once Hide’s headquarters for his radio station, record label and tireless creative enterprises.
The logo — a bright, juicy lemon sliced in half — perfectly reflects Hide’s electric hair and showmanship.
Break out the… yen, if you want one of these rare Hide vinyls.
Fortunately, there are also affordable and cute little goodies for sale. Hoodies, t-shirts, pins, accessories, notebooks and kawaii bears. Perfect souvenirs.
Hide is alive… and on a t-shirt. Pick one up from the Harajuku shop if you find yourself in Tokyo.
We saw Kaya’s manly look… now let’s marvel at Yukiro’s! He was the model for Sembl’s new collection of Japanese deconstructed high-end mens clothing. (You can see the photos here.) The artsy video above was shot at Mt Fuji; poor Yukiro had to stumble around in icy water while chased by a shinigami (death god).
Are you looking forward to X Japan’s first “new” album in 14 years, to be released later this year? Will you be seeing them live?
Japanese Word of the Day: Higeki = Tragedy
Song of the Day: Kanon Wakeshima – Lolitawork Libretto (New PV from Mana’s cello-playing protege. What do you think of the music video and her Lolita clothing?)
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STEAMPUNK IN JAPAN! KENNY CREATION: GOTH PUNK 19TH CENTURY ARISTOCRAT FASHION, HARAJUKU MENS CLOTHING.
Several of you have asked me… what’s the steampunk scene like in Tokyo? Can you post more photos of alternative Japanese male fashion? Your wishes are granted! Introducing my electric-haired friend Kenny Creation, who you’ll always see at Tokyo’s Goth/Industrial club nights wearing the most sublime steampunk clothing. Read on…
Kenny Creation says, “I’m so into mechanical stuff — engines, machines, blabla — because of my job (engineer). Beautiful machinery made by brass; the gears and how they work. And I’m so moved by beautiful 19th century outfit and style. The two points mixed up become steampunk!” (Above, Kenny at Tokyo Decadance with Count de Sang. Yukiro and I ran into him while shopping at Marui One Shinjuku.)
“It’s a little hard to explain… it’s a world of retrospective taste. Ardent British to steam architect. So my style is steampunk, with a theme of the chaotic and experimentation.” (Above, with G-suS and DJ SiSEN)
“I’m glad that I am an engineer and can build up some mechanical stuff,” says Kenny. Let me add that Kenny also sings in a band and is an excellent dancer; he is very talented!
Here’s the sad news: according to Kenny Creation, the steampunk scene in Japan is non-existent. “When I went to Wave Gothik Treffen 2009, I saw a lot of people wearing steampunk! I’m just stunned. I cannot find a lot of steampunk supplies in Tokyo, so I would like to extend more steampunk culture in Japan.” (Above: with Ken, Luke Chaos and Hungry Ghost)
Kenny’s DIY steampunk outfits are divine, but it’s not the only look that he rocks. Here he is with candy apple red hair and punk/electro clothing.
Tattoos, gas masks, 19th century holsters, classic silver jewelry.
Above, with friends DJ SiSEN and Mistress Maya. No matter where he is or what he wears, Kenny Creation is always full of great energy! If you visit Tokyo, come to our favorite Goth EBM Cyber Industrial club nights and say hi to him on the dance floor.
Are you fond of Steampunk fashion? Which of Kenny’s outfits do you like best?
Japanese Word of the Day: Musu = To steam (food)
Song of the Day: Tool – Vicarious (piano cover – favorited on Kenny’s YouTube channel)
LA CARMINA
