Memorials for 2011

{For Those No Longer With Us :: Memorials for 2011}

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Taiji: The Bassist, The Songwriter, and The Tragedy

            Whether you knew him as Taiji or RAY, he was always recognized as a bassist to be reckoned with, and a dual-threat also, having marketing skills, and songwriting ones. 

            Taiji first came into the Visual-Kei scene when he joined X Japan in 1986. Taiji wrote songs upon songs for the band, but, the general public did not even learn of these until the release of “Rose & Blood – Indies of X – “ nearly two decades later. During his time with X Japan, one of the founders of modern Visual-Kei, he was bassist during their meteoric rise, and he left in 1992 after the band’s famous three night set in Tokyo Dome.

            After this, he was in roughly another seven bands, with his bandmates being superstars in their own right, such as Kenzi (drums from ANTI FEMINISM) and Joe Miyawaki (drummer from Spread Beaver, the backing band for hide, ex-X Japan’s guitarist).

            However, Taiji encountered many problems other than being asked to leave X Japan, such as getting divorced in 1996 from his wife, and subsequently becoming homeless. Later, Taiji was in a motorcycle accident, and damaged the ligaments in his foot, however, this pales in comparison to his chronic stokes and epilepsy, which flared up in 2008, and made him halt his activities with the newly formed supergroup, The Killing Red Addiction. Furthermore, his hip joint transplant had resulted in necrosis, or the premature dying of the body’s cells, and he was hospitalized after falling and sustaining injuries to his already frail body.

            In 2010, back on his feet, he reunited with two members from former projects of his, and the final member being a an ex-member the same band as the co-lead of the new band, TSP. Needless to say, things seemed completely on the upswing for Taiji, especially after his band Taiji with Heavens’ was continuing alongside TSP, and he joined Yoshiki and Toshi at a press conference to say that he would be playing with the storied X Japan at their two day performance at Nissan Stadium. Finally, he also had a new woman in his life, and was engaged; it truly seemed like Taiji would be granted happiness.

            And then on July 11^th, Taiji was arrested in Saipan for disturbing a flight, and ended up facing federal charges in the United States for the accusation. In a bizarre, and rapid turn of events, Taiji attempted to hang himself in prison in Saipan, but, did not die, and was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared brain dead. Three days later, after his wife-to-be and mother ended life support, he died in Saipan, on July 17^th.

Isshi: Tradition and Visual-Kei

            Slowly, Kagrra, members waved a final goodbye on March 3^rd, and left the stage of Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall. With two thousand and eighty four fans in the hall, Kagrra, left and was thus disbanded.

            For me personally, there was a pang of hurt in my chest, as ViViD, a far less storied band, but nonetheless one of my favorites, had played this hall to commemorate going major, and now, Kagrra, was playing this small venue to bid goodbye to the world.

            For ten years, Kagrra, changed the nature of Visual-Kei, but not by direct influence. They were the band that never really struck a major vein of success, but, they embodied the essence of Visual-Kei. Their style was utterly bizarre; they wore kimonos. How many rock bands in the entire world wear traditional garments? Ponder this, and keep in mind, no Middle-Eastern rock band wears turbans, not many Japanese bands wear kimonos, and not even all enka singers wear them either, which puts Kaggra, out there, as their outfits did not strike a chord with all the other Visual-Kei bands.

            But, there was then the music. Ishhi’s lyrics tried to mimic Heian style poetry, and on top of that, his voice tried to become a blend of traditional and rock singing. In an effort to portray elegance, Isshi moved with grace, and the music simply seemed to click. Of course, the band would frequently infuse their songs with traditional instruments, melodies, and lyrics, setting them aside as their own genre into itself.

            Yet, no one seemed to notice Kagrra, and even their final album did not sell phenomenally. Their final tour lasted less than a month, ending at Shibuya Hall. And, on the 18^th of July, Isshi passed away, in the midst of recording a new batch of singles and an album, later finished by his friends, and released as “Kureha” and the artist being Shiki Project. This is what truly marked the end of an era, as Kagrra, had been previously alive, and there was the chance the members would go on to do great things, as evidenced by the just-released “Kureha”. But, with the death of Isshi, someone was removed, and a band that had influenced so many was gone.

            No one will ever take the place of Isshi, but there will be those that will emulate him, not for the fame, but for their admiration of what him and Kagrra, accomplished, being a band with a unique look, and sound, both being beyond all others. Which would make them the epitome of Visual-Kei.

            With the cause of Isshi’s death being a mystery and his death being heartbreaking, fans of his can take some solace in the body of work he left behind, including his solo album that friends finished, “Kureha”.

kaito

Guitarist for Xenon

Passed Away on the 29^th of July

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