#second-fear

Before I begin I'm just gonna say, I intended to posts pictures and more detailed fandom stuff but... My own computer just died on me, so until it revives, I have no means of doing so, but since I promised to write about it today, I shall. At least some what.

Oh and of course thanks to those that welcomed me back ^^/ it feels good to be missed haha.

Um, I don't know where to start. Of course I liked it a lot. In fact I loveeeee it (having withdrawal depression now orz) for the most part anyways.

Weather: It was cold for one. But mostly bearable cold. Other than my hands cause I didn't wear gloves and that didn't feel too good. It's a pity it didn't snow though, even though on the last night it was suppose to have snowed (a little maybe) but honestly we just got rain in the afternoon and wet puddles the next morning. The rest of the days were all sunny, but kinda windy (and really the wind was worst than the cold.)

It was colder when we spent two days near some lake (I'm sorry I forgot the name orz) near Mt Fuji.

Train: Um, well it's confusing. The whole group of us took the wrong train once (and our itinerary disintegrated that day) my friend took the wrong train on her own once, and then there was the last day that I just "I have absolutely no idea which side am I suppose to be on so let's just follow the side with more people and hope for the best." I'm glad I was lucky .____.

It's especially confusing because even tho u can generally find the line u are suppose to be on by following the signs (or ask "xx line wa doko desu ka. @@") there's still I think... The normal train, the rapid train and some other train and also trains that just pass by w/o stopping... Aha....^^"

Oh also it's really squeezy during the rush hour (I think... I can't rmb. 7+ to 9+ in the afternoon? Correct me if I'm wrong. And also we usually go out too late to know the morning rush hour). We didn't encounter the famous (or infamous) need to actually have people push us into the train, but... You pretty much compress really hard and there was once when we were in the train, we were pushed out when people rush to exit (even tho we tied our best to push inwards....) yep. It was that bad.

Food: Was really good of course. Actually you can get a decent meal at ard ¥500 even, but of course the nicer food can be up to ¥1000 or more. Also I really yay loveeee sushiiii QAQ I WAN MORE SUSHI NOWWWWW.

Okay. Ahem. Anyways. One of the sushi restaurant we ate at was standing. Which was a little tiring but it's okay. Also both restaurants and other shops selling food (Esp souvenir stores) have plastic food display outside and ard the items sold respectively. Which can either be a very nice thing (you know what you are getting, it's pretty and tempting) or very bad (you want everything but you are getting brokE QAQ... Ahemthatwouldbeme) yep.

Our hotel: ...was always cram. Okay okay so maybe because it's really cheap. Not that I'm complaining tho, because it's still really clean and comfy. Our hotel room in Tokyo was basically a single bed, plus a area less than I guess a meter ard it. Sort of like a corridor to squeeze you luggage, just enough to place it flat on the ground. With one small table. And a double room will be the same except the bed is a bunk bed.

At the Mt Fuji place it was a Japanese styled room. So we were 4 ppl in a room of 10 tatami. There's a table in the middle and it was about just right when we spread out our futon at night. Barely any space to walk. There are sort of closets tho, so you have space for your stuff (I will post pictures when I can orz) In both hotels the bathroom and toilets are common. But don't worry they are really really clean.

Convenient store: Aha convenient store is sort of a weird highlight for us cause there are a lot of them (7eleven, family mart, Lawson) and generally you can run into one on every street I think. They aren't very big, mostly sells food, I love them cause other than the usual snacks and ice cream there are cakes, onigiri, bentos (ah sushi!!!) and even cooked food... (Like fried chicken and stuffs.... There's quite a few kind really)

Also because Shingeki no Kyojin is very popular now, there are a bunch of stuff with snk designs or come with some sort of snk merch (badges, cups etc.) like... Potato chips, jelly, cup noodles etc. (oh and imagine my almost fangirl melting moment when I went into a convenient store playing Guren no Yumiya *squeals* HEIKAAAAA ok yes I'm embarrassing)

The people/the fashion: Umm well it's well known that they are really polite (I pretty much caught the habit of saying sumimasen for everything...). But other than that ummm well they walk really fast. I know it's kinda a weird insignificant observation but it's one small thing I dun like. I mean I understand if they are in a rush and stuffs but really everyone walk so fast a feel a little tense when I try to slow down >_< but that's kinda a personal issue.

And um... Most of them are quite fashionable? But really they generally dress really normally (tho it's always a pleasant surprise when u spot someone in kimono, or a Lolita, or someone with pink or blond styled hair. Yup.). In a way their clothes almost remind me of London and Paris because most are in like black,white or beige-ish colors. Which looks nice so yep. (Imagine how out of place one of my senpais look with colorful sweater and pink scarf tho orz.)

Oh yea and most of them understands English. Esp shop assistance and ppl. Tho they may not speak it very well... (It makes for oddly okay communication if u can understand most basic jap but can't really speak it. Like me... So like. They speak jap and you speak English but you still understand each other haha.)

Others: Umm they have really interesting advertisements (usually always with some sort of character or person... I mean I rmb one advert for an aquarium with this guy in a weird suit swimming in some tank pretending to be a fish!). The posters are usually really nice too, like nice drawings and stuff. And then there's like Akihabara where there's beautiful anime posters and anime OPs playing on big screens (I rmb seeing brothers conflict)

We saw Wanted posters. Honestly I thought that's pretty awesome cause I have nvr noticed such things elsewhere.

Do it! I will join to help~ (^^)

Omgsenpai..

Now I feel like I should use proper Japanese now instead of my usual random Kana and words.. 

てきせいな日本語。。Meh

- Versailles and KAMIJO-san’s popularity abroad was really high, that’s why you decided to make a tour around South America and Europe, and you were literally travelling around the world. According to 「Cool Japan」, ways to show Japanese culture to the other countries have been discussed in various forms. But we would like to hear the opinion of KAMIJO-san, who toured around the world.

KAMIJO: People in other countries accept Japanese culture, which pleases me immensely. But the truth is that when you go somewhere, you can meet also people, whose knowledge is really limited. The reason is that not all people in the country have the same level of knowledge about Japan.

Still many people don’t know the good side of Japan and that’s a great loss. At the same time, when Versailles started activities, Visual Kei began to attract the interest in Europe, and then in America and Asia, but also South America started showing its considerable interest. However, months went by, people gradually began to quit and stayed with us only those really good.

That’s why I think the other way than 「Cool Japan」, who says that we don’t treat other countries seriously. With a solid foundation built on the artistic achievements in Japan, I would like to be able to be the representative of Japan in the world. What has become a hot topic lately – I think it’s not good for culture of Japan to go abroad so carelessly.

- So how, do you think, we should support growth of Visual Kei in interested countries?

KAMIJO: I’d like to take all of my wonderful Japanese STAFF abroad. Of course, people in other countries are amazing too, but still Visual Kei scene is not only itself, it’s not only the artist, it’s everyone from staff around it and I think this way would be better. That’s why if I could take everyone with me abroad, I could show the splendor of Japanese Visual Kei, I think. So if I had budget for that, isn’t that a good way to support it?

- So in the current situation, when going on world tour, you have to choose an elite STAFF, who will go with you?

KAMIJO: No doubt there are artists, who do that, but I’d rather say they’re minority. The other thing is that since there is a limit of the number of devices and music equipment that you can take with you on a plane, happens that you have to rent them for example on the spot.

Here is Part 2 of the interview friends and followers alike!  This was translated by our friend second-fear (Arianne) and I just got done checking it over so I hope you enjoy it Take care ----------------------------------------------------------------------

- Do you plan releasing the full album and LIVE performances after single will be released?

KAMIJO: I think that album will come out. I’m working at a rate of one single, so I can pour feelings into each song.  I’d like to release (album) as fast as it’s possible, but working according to the principle that I finish songs one after the other.  As for concerts, Versailles’ LIVEs were played fast and based on the two-bass (rhythm), so I think that they were attractive.  That is why I want my solo LIVEs to be more interesting, so I guess I’d like to create a performance that will be different in terms of visuals from Versailles’ ones.

- Some time ago you said about 『Louis ～Enketsu no La vie en Rose～』 , that 「It's a song written with feelings towards the Visual Kei」, but it seems that you, KAMIJO-san, have your own, different approach to the 「Visual Kei」 scene.

KAMIJO: As for me, firstly 「Visual Kei」 is not a genre. I think that these are different titles, which help the musician - having ideas for a variety of other methods – to express him not only through the music.

My first band LAREINE major debuted in year 1999.  At that time, during the Visual Kei boom, there were a lot of great bands with so-called 「The big four of Visual Kei」 at the forefront. In such circumstances our LAREINE had a very low position (underground), because we debuted at the end of that boom.  Then came the times in which the scene has become not really impressive and I felt responsible to set an example for my younger colleagues. And it became my propulsion, my power.

The values and feelings, which we took over, which we created, reached not only the audience but I think that also our younger colleagues, who took it over and it became a power that made them start activities on their own.

Of course, I still haven’t changed my style, what are largely thanks to support of my fans.

- 「Visual Kei」 gives many possibilities. One of the reasons for which on Visual Kei scene appear new bands is the ease of gaining fans, but there are also cases where active band leaves the stage.

KAMIJO: Visual Kei is inherent to 「poison」.  From the beginning there were many people, who like to stylize for Visual Kei, but doesn’t, for example, metal bands enter the Visual Kei realms when they wear make-up? I have a feeling that lately people think that 「I will probably become popular (when I’ll put on make-up) ？」.  Now there are more and more good-looking bands. But they can’t escape it. I think that this is good in Visual Kei. Because it has good-looking musicians (laughs).  If you once put on a mask, you won’t be able to take it off (laughs).

But it happens not only to musicians, because Visual Kei has an effect on fans and listeners, who also can’t escape it.

Moments, when you more often think "it's beautiful, it's good-looking" when watching pictures, than when listening to the music, I call 「Awakening」.

I think that there is no other scene so full of toxin.  Neither the metal scene, or punk, or any other drowns so deep in toxin…. That’s why I love it so much.

Of course I want to offer you, who listen to the music, songs, which are not only poisonous, but they also give a life in color of roses. I want roses to fill lives of people, who will listen to the climax of my first solo single’s 『Louis〜』 lyrics, which says 「La vie en Rose, I want to color you with bewitching colors」.

Moreover, in MV to this song appears Mana-san (MALICE MIZER・Moi dix Mois). Mana-san told me the story about world full of roses and he is the one, who introduced this world to me.  And Mana-san being such a teacher appears in my MV, in which I showed the moment of my awakening in Visual Kei, so I think I’d like people watching this MV to keep this in mind and also awake.

NOTE:  this interview was translated by our friend second-fear and she asked for my help to check it for corrections that needed to be made and whatnot.  I've posted this on the US Street Team's blog and now here. DO NOT take the translations and claim them as your or any corrections (unless you want to point out ones I might have missed cos I'm not perfect :) ) This is only part one as there are two more coming ENJOY! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Solo debut of 「KAMIJO」, the young nobleman from School of Aesthetics! Brilliant story about the charm of Visual Kei full of 「poison」

Interview: Fujitani Chiaki Translation: Ariane Corrections: Amisbro (Joshua Curtis)

Leader of the Visual Kei band called Versailles, Kamijo appears with his solo debut and he also appears in URE PIA Souken!  We made a long interview with him about his solo single bewitching with its 「aesthetics」and about warm love to Visual Kei.

Versailles, the Visual Kei band, which with its beautiful way of perceiving the world was very famous even abroad, followed the concept of 「Descendants of the Rose」.  Leader of the band, KAMIJO-san on the 28th of August will debut with his long awaited solo single『Louis ～Enketsu no La vie en Rose～』.  And in this kind of mood he visited URE PIA Souken! This interview is about his policy, approach to 「School of Aesthetics」.

- Kamijo-san, what made you think about the solo career, if earlier you have been active in bands?

KAMIJO: Versailles’ hiatus at the end of last year. I didn’t think of any other method, but solo career as the next method to express myself, so from the beginning I was thinking of debuting as a solo artist.

- So didn’t you think about creating a band for example?

KAMIJO:  I’m already in the band Versailles. And I was thinking if I’m good. Excluding Versailles I was playing in a band called LAREINE (major debut in 1999 and went on hiatus in 2007), that’s why I was thinking if I really need any other title in current situation? That’s why under the name 「KAMIJO」 I’ve started a solo career.

- And your debut single is to be released on 28th of August『Louis ～Enketsu no La vie en Rose～』.

KAMIJO: The word 「Enketsu」is a word formation.  It should be understood as 「The charming color of blood」. Because I like France very much, initially the name of a band LAREINE was taken from French word describing QUEEN, so Marie Antoinette. It’s similar with Versailles, so all the time I was active (in projects) having the names related to French history. However, obviously 「KAMIJO」isn’t related to French language at all. It’s Japanese language with its full blast (laugh). That’s why I thought of using 「Louis」as a name for debut single.

- The name 「Louis」 brings to mind the king of France, Louis XVI, who was executed during The French Revolution.

KAMIJO: Yes, that’s right. For generations the word 「Louis」 was addressed to a king, that’s why I chose this name.  I created the song carrying so many various wishes, which match the scene of Visual Kei.

- Moreover, in addition to main song, B-side tracks 『Grazioso』and『Gensō trianon』on regular edition have been recorded.

KAMIJO: 『Grazioso』in Italian means 「Elegantly」.  This piece is probably the same story as written in 『Louis〜』, but seen from the other angle, because I think that everyone is living their life in a different way.  And I also ask myself, if I will go through my life in my individual elegant way.  Seems like I simply put my feelings about walking this path into this song.

『Gensō trianon』is also related to The French Revolution, but I want to entrust the question of “what kind of person is the main character?” to the listeners.  This song is already one year old and at first its title had to be 「Maboroshi」 (Illusion) and I’m glad that exactly like if illusion became reality, this song finally was able to see the daylight.

I have an interesting "problem" (the reason that is in quotes is going to be explained) See...when I started on here I had a goal to share my passion for music and especially Japanese music here with each and every person that stumbles on this blog and I would think so far that mission has been accomplished and I want to continue with that.  I also know that I have goals away from tumblr (but in the same "field") that I want to accomplish too.  You might say that my ambition has grown faster than this blog has but that doesn't matter because each and every person that likes or reblogs a post or just follows in general I'm grateful for. As recently as 2 weeks ago I started doing stuff for the US street team to gauge where KAMIJO and JUPITER are in the context of North America and I am going to continue with that...matter of fact tonight is the next analysis because the next numbers come out around 9 AM JST (8 PM EDT) so that's going to be fun. So where's the "problem" come in?  Try this: I want to be able to take my writing to a different level and I want to continue writing here.  I KNOW that no matter what I would continue writing here but I also want to look at doing "Opinion" columns for other English Japanese Music websites.  Problem is...there aren't any that allow for what I do here. So you might ask "Where did I look? and the answer would be the following: JaME (that was a suggestion by second-fear a.k.a. Arianne) Jrockrevolution.com

I know your pain… I’m trying to find “The Watch“‘s series in Russian in Poland and I couldn’t find it for 1,5 year. I had to ask my friend from St. Petersburg for help D: But it’s totally normal to find a book f.e. in SWEDISH here… >_> daaamn.

I was tagged by Terucchan and Kuro-ageha!

Rule 1: Post the rules.

Rule 2: Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then make 11 new ones.

Rule 3: Tag 11 people and link them to your post.

Rule 4: Let them know you have tagged them.

Terucchan's Questions:

If you had a time machine, when would you go back to?

Hum... First i would go back to november 13th to see Versailles live again and then i would go to my grandma house before she gets sick to say how much i love her!

Hogwarts or middle earth?

Hogwarts!

Have you ever cried in front of a computer over a person that doesnt exist?

Yes, of course!!!!

Favorite season?

Winter

If you could have one super power what one would you choose?

Fly!!!! *--* I would love that!

Got any pets? What are they!

Yes! Bali <3 She is a Starffordshire Bull Terrier! XD A dog

can you speak more than one language?

Portuguese and English

Bassist, Drummer, Guitarist or Vocalist, which would you be?

Guitarist!

Do you have any talents that no-one knows/cares about?If you could live in victorian or elizabethan times, which would you choose?

Hum... I don't think so... Victorian Just because of my name

Your ultimate goal?

Be a professional designer!

What song do you want to listen to when you feel sad?

I always listen to Serenade and Love Will Be Born again when i'm sad

Kuro-ageha's questions!

Tell something that scared you:

High places!! And lose my family and friends

The song that represents you the most:

Hahahahhaha... I don't know, but a creepy, strange and funny music represents me!

Something that made you really happy:

When i can make a friend laugh, this makes me happy!

If you could have someone with you right now, who would it be?:

My Grandma

The person who inspires you the most:

My mother

Favorite food/drink:

Japanese food, coffee, iced tea and coke!

The thing you hate the most:

High places! And Cockroaches!

A random memory:

Buying french fries to eat at the movies instead of Pop Corn with Amanda XD

Last thing you watched:

Movie? Total Recall

If you could give a hug to someone, who would it be?:

God!! To many people!!!! Shin, Ellen, Rose, Fabricio, Cathe, Simone, Ania, Ariane... All my tumblr's friends that lives too far T^T

If you could buy something now, what would it be?:

Fooooooooooooood XD Kidding I would by airline tickets and the live ticket to see Moi Dix Mois live

I tagged!

Princess

Prince

Amanda

Simone

Ariane

Rose

Bárbara

Alice

Ania

Ellen

Ludmilla

King of the wing!! Naa, Just kidding Shin-san! XD

Questions!

You have to choose 5 people to meet (Famous or not) Who would be them?

Something that you would like to eat/drink now?

Favorite book?

Vampires or Zombies?

Where do you think you would be in a zombie attack, in the middle of them or shooting them? XD

Are you in love?

The last think that made you "ASDFGHJKLÇ~ÇLKJHGFDSA" ?

What time is it now?

Favorite kind of clothes?

If you could choose a person to live with you for a entire month, who would be?