The reason why YOSHIKI being called ‘Charisma’
posted on 05 Jun 2009 20:51 by xworldpress in NewsThis is a translation of a column in Sanspo called “Gyokai 25 ji” that was published on June 1. It’s far from perfect but I think (and hope) there’s no any serious mistake. Mind you, English is not my native language.
The writer (Nomura Etsuko) who wrote this article is the same one who wrote ‘Marriage in X JAPAN Live in Taipei’ article. (It’s in the same column.) Recently, she often writes the articles about X. Her written style is somewhat boldness and not quite flattering. I started reading her column because she is the only journalist who criticized the media about Yoshiki VS Sumo Association’s case. When Yoshiki was accused of walking on tatami (Japanese reed mat) with his boots (and then we know he didn’t), why did the medias apparently report he wore shoes on tatami. She asked for the media ethics. She didn’t neither show any feeling of fascinate nor loving for Yoshiki in her earlier works. I keep reading her article just because I was thinking the same as her for that case. (It was absurd and wouldn’t have been that big issue if the media didn’t make it) Then, time goes by…. She began writing about Yoshiki more and more favorably after she had a chance to meet him in person. I could sense it but still not so sure until I read this article. Now it’s undoubtedly that she’s one of the victims of his charisma/charm already. I’m not quite surprised though. I mean, I have been X and YOSHIKI fan for over 15 years, so I’ve seen it before. The most severe case [in good way] was that of hide. (read his interviews that talked about Yoshiki, you’ll see what I mean) And in bad way, was that of Kobayashi Nobuya, I was soooooo scared of this guy. His infatuation with Yoshiki also ended in quite unsatisfactory way. I’ll write about this guy later if you want to know.
O.K. let’s come back to the topic and see Numura Etsuko’s ‘the reason for Yoshiki being called [charisma]’
http://www.sanspo.com/column/news/090601/clb09060117100003-n1.htm
“The reason why YOSHIKI being called ‘Charisma’”
X JAPAN’s outdoor live performance ever since major debut and the first performance on aboard with 6 members after SUGIZOjoined the band, were full of impressive scenes. I had an opportunity to interview YOSHIKI exclusively and heard the backstage story.
According to YOSHIKI, the rules for the performance, such as opening time, were very strict. After 10 p.m. the light must be turn off. Thus the program at the end of the performance like ‘Art of live’ was arranged to be shorten especially for Taiwan. In addition, the Lion Dance and the Kimono fashion show are the mixture of Japanese and Taiwan’s culture. “It’s my intention. The blending of Japanese and Taiwanese culture actually reflects through the sound of music. There’s some local (Taiwanese) sound mixed in Japan-ish music. It would be better to do something differences in each country.” YOSHIKI showed his aspiration.
In the song ‘WITHOUT YOU’, there’s a scene TOSHI walked to him and they hugged. Regarding to his state of mind, YOSHIKI revealed the warm-hearted episode to us ‘When TOSHI, my childhood friend, walked to me. I can’t bare it anymore. I could not stop my tears and also after the drum solo, when I looked at TOSHI’s face, he kept smiling to me, with the feeling like ‘YOSHIKI is superb.’ Then, Toshi would shout loudly. He always keeps understanding me very well. I think we are joined together with great destiny.”
Besides that, there was a surprise by YOSHIKI wearing the wedding dress, something he hadn’t done for a long time. Seems like YOSHIKIi wavered to the very last minute. “In old days, I dressed up as a bride once and Taiwanese fans can still remember. They dressed up in wedding dress greeting me at the airport…. But, when I dressed it up for this time, I’m so embarrassed. So I asked Toshi ‘Please drag me out together.’, and he also wore white jacket. Then it just became like a wedding ceremony.’ Yoshiki expressed his innocent smile.
SUGIZO joined the band. This is the first performance of the 6 members on aboard. There was a duet between YOSHIKI on piano and SUGIZO on Violin. YOSHIKI positively stated ‘I and SUGIZO hang out and drank together last night. We had a talk, something like; perhaps, from the start, we have a fate to play music together. We feels very good when playing together. X is developing with good feeling. The band which the drummer can play piano and the guitarist can play violin. Don’t you think this is impossible !?”
After the concert in Hong Kong, I got the permission to see him from the rehearsal. He’s very strict with music and performance. Besides, when they set the antenna up (for lifting the drum set), while I thought what’s going on, I heard a voice asking “When the drums move, will there be any hole or something happen? It would be very terrible If TOSHI falls.” Or “Thank you very much. Please do this favor for me.” (Arigatou gozaimasu, Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu) by YOSHIKI who said carefully to everyone around him. He is the person who can feel what’s in the heart of the members or staffs before anyone else. Surely his music or technique on drums and piano is good. But, the polite and well mannered YOSHIKI makes me realize again why he is entitled as ‘Rock Star Charisma.’
I think there are many actors or singers nowadays who are thinking ‘I’m great.’ and misunderstanding that they can sell well only because of their ability. I want them to just take a look and learn a bit from YOSHIKI.
YOSHIKI had said things like the drumer on piano and the guitarist on violin after the previous Tokyo Dome concert. He repeated it again this time. Seems like YOSHIKI has forgotten about S.K.I.N. completely. (I don’t care much though.) And Ym’ staff report last night (after 4-day absence) just taught me the true meaning of “Staff Report”. It’s not the report about YOSHIKI by his staff, but the report about his staff by his staff. ___orz This isn’t what I want to know!!! TT A TT (BTW he gave his staffs 2 days off cuz they work so hard for a long time. WOW what a generous boss…)
