It's the New Year~~~!!!
FORDEAR
It's the new year~~~2011!!!!
Immediately at 6am, without even having a new years dream,
I set off on the first day of the year to sing the best love song in the world.
Well, it's a good omen,
and the direction of Kasumigaoka isn't bad either.
Because of everyone's support from the first day of this year,
it seems that my year of songs
is carving out a good start.
Since we've got about an hour left,
I thought I'd write about yesterday a little.
We all went out to eat New Year's Eve soba.
We spent an extremely long time just eating soba, about 5 hours.
If I talk about how much we ate,
As soon as we ate, we'd wait for a refill,
then eat that and wait for another refill…
and after we'd tired ourselves out waiting,
in the end we all went back to my house on stand by to do the customary New Years jump at midnight.
YOU put his cell phone on the table
but the speakers were bad so it was hard to hear.
So because of that, in the midst of all the commotion,
G: Okay, okay, I've got it. I'll listen to the sound from the speakers and relay the time to all of you. Ummmmm….ten seconds…twenty seconds …. twelve am thirty seconds… wait?? I just said twelve o'clock, didn't I??
Everyone: Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!!!!!!!!!!
(together): ……………………………………………………
G: Well, should we wait for next year then?………………..
Everyone: Happy New Year…………
So because of that, my 19 consecutive years of jumping resets this year.
From next year I want to devote myself to New Years jumping with renewed feeling.
So then, I'm going to go and get ready now.
GACKT
PS. I am hoping to deliver a song that will echo in all your hearts.
2011/01/20
Finally Arrived in Sendai
FORDEAR
Morning…
It's still okay to say "morning" at this hour, right?
I'm really tired……………..
I finally arrived in Sendai.
Due to various circumstances I didn't make the last train…
and ended up coming to Sendai by car…
When I come here to snowboard, I've never felt like it was this far,
but this time it felt like quite a long way.
I wonder why…
Because I was tired from work?…
From yesterday morning, I had meetings, voice acting, interviews, photo shoots…
While doing all those things,
I was filling in the image for the Sendai performance…
When I was late for the train I was like… WHHHHHYYYYY!!!
Ugh, it was so far~~~…
Seriously, even though there shouldn't be traffic at this hour.
Or is it because it wasn't my usual car?
In any case, I'm glad I arrived in Sendai safely.
I believe that in the Hiroshima run, as well, we managed to deliver a high quality performance,
and to move people.
In return, we received many words of thanks and much applause from everyone.
Thank you so much.
I'm happy about it too.
I didn't manage to go out and wander around at night in Hiroshima,
so I'm sort of disappointed…
Even though there are a lot of cute and interesting girls in Hiroshima…urgh…
I will do my best to deliver the greatest performance in Sendai as well.
Nevertheless, I've been thwarted by transport quite a bit lately…
When I was returning from Hiroshima, it ended up taking 6 hours due to a blizzard.
Nothing I could do about it.
Well, I was studying English determinedly on the train,
but as you'd expect, sitting in the same position for six hours is tiring.
I took a short video of the snowfall, so I'll upload it to go with this blog later.
(Video: #From the window of a train that is two hours late…edition)
Weeeeellll then… everyone in Sendai and the north east, sorry to keep you waiting.
You will encounter Nemuri Kyoshiro now.
I'll slash my way though the streets of north east Japan!!!
GACKT
2011/01/28
Finally, All the Shows in this Location are Over
FORDEAR
Are you all going well?
For me, it's like the entire past year of exhaustion has suddenly popped up.
My physical condition has never been this broken down before,
so I guess you'd say it's been awful.
In that state, I've at last performed over 100 shows of Nemuri Kyoshiro,
and completed the final show in Sendai without incident.
Amidst the roar of the crowd,
I felt over and over again that I am truly loved.
To everyone who supported the world of Nemuri Kyoshiro this much, and everyone who gave me their love,
all the staff connected with the play,
I'd like to say a word on behalf of the performers, "Thank you very much".
We've finally finished all the local performances,
and now only Tokyo International Forum remains.
Anyway, it's continued to evolve.
Never doing the same thing twice in search of the ultimate play,
aiming for great ideas, we've done it together.
Before it began, with the extraordinary number of 120 shows,
I couldn't even imagine how it would turn out,
but now it's painful to part with the colleagues I have seen every day, who are like my family.
So I'm about to part with the team I trained with every day,
and exchanged smiles with every time we passed each other in the stage wings?
Somehow, I feel lonely…
One of the performers blurted it out.
"There's only eighteen shows left…"
When I look back, it's been a long journey.
As well as Nemuri Kyoshiro,
there's been the Japan and Europe YFC tours,
and until now, I've never been away from home for so long,
so even going home has a strange feeling to it.
For all of last year, I only used the bed in my house a handful of times.
Well, for me and my wanderlust, it was an extremely meaningful year…
First, I've gotta fix my physical condition, then make adjustments for the Tokyo finale performances.
I'm so broken down it makes me laugh.
I wonder if this is "living fast"…
But that doesn't mean work is the only thing I've been doing.
I've been strictly making time to goof off.
I've done a heap of interesting things.
For the new year I went snowboarding,
and had the best new year ever.
Since I wanted to eat it at any cost,
my staff made this for me, its name is
"Honey Toast Shinjuku Goverment Office-style"
When I ordered it,
and said "Honey Toast Shinjuku Goverment Office-style, please"
what I got was this
(photo)
I casually placed a cell phone next to it and took a photo,
so I think you'll be able to get how big it is.
My staff, who ate this for dessert after a meal,
were certainly acting a little strange
(video: Episode: The primeval gorilla man…again)
And, somehow, I managed to catch the fall of KAZUYA too!!!
(video: Episode: The fall…of Kazuya)
With these images, I should be able to go a week…
anyway, in the time before the Tokyo finale performances, I'll fix my physical condition.
Make sure to have a good day, everyone.
I'll see you soon.
GACKT
2011/02/16
At Last, the Tokyo Finale Performances Have Begun
FORDEAR
At last, the day has arrived.
I've made it safely to the first day of the Tokyo Finale run of the show.
I'm truly happy…
All the performers
are truly moved by the fact that we've come this far.
How long has it been, doing 120 performances in the space of a year.
But, suddenly there's only 17 shows left.
It's going to be over in 17 shows…
At the very beginning it was a very stiffly presented show.
The Nemuri Kyoshiro we're doing now,
has moments that will make you laugh, cry and send chills up your spine.
It's well-formed, beautiful and ephemeral.
I'm very proud of the fact that I was able to do this period piece, this play.
And I'm very grateful that we made it this far with no major injuries.
It's been loooooooong,
but surprisingly like the blink of an eye.
17 more shows.
Whether I cry or laugh, 17 shows.
The fatigue from my morning training is turning into sleepiness about now.
The fatigue from the play is sure to assault me after all of them are over…
I hope everyone can hold each other smiling at the end.
Let's throw ourselves into the finale body and soul, and burn till there's nothing left.
And to everyone who came from far away to see the Tokyo Finale.
Thank you so much.
I'll deliver the ultimate show, and great emotion too
GACKT
P.S. Nevertheless, I hit my nose during the show today… It hurt.
2011/02/23
Eight Nemuri Kyoshiro Performances Left!!!
FORDEAR
The matinee performance is about to begin.
My body is laughably beat up,
and I never would have guessed I'd accumulate this much exhaustion.
Well, it's understandable.
Since I've run this far.
8 shows left.
Five days.
I woke up in the garage this morning too.
I got home yesterday, got out of the car, and have no memory of what happened after that…
Ahahahaha.
Seems like I slept in the garage.
Guess I was tired enough to.
My body is so creaky it takes more time than usual to stretch.
But the show isn't going to wait for me.
Well then…
Shall I be off
It's time for the matinee.
Nemuri Kyoshiro… is on his way!!!
GACKT
2011/02/27
Nemuri Kyoshiro, Finally Finishing the Long Journey Tonight
FORDEAR
Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae…
Finally, the 117th and 118th performances are over.
Even this long journey has finally come down to
just one more day today.
I'm tired…
The words spill out of my mouth.
Two days ago, I had this question posed by an interviewer.
"Are you going to miss it when you're done?"
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't.
But I'll finally be released from this pain that has plagued me the whole time…
Above everything else, to be free from pain
might be my greatest desire at this point.
Performing Kyoshiro has been far more of a burden on my body
than I ever imagined before it started.
Doing so many fight scenes with my obi tied this tightly,
and furthermore honing them to be even better every time,
has been a huge demand on my lower back, neck and knees.
In order to not appear out of breath,
I forcibly lower my raised heart rate
by controlling the muscles around my heart and lungs.
By doing that, I always remain serene,
and maintain the perfectly composed image of Nemuri Kyoshiro.
Of course, I was training for this
since before the show.
But, the physical burdens of the demands for the image of Kyoshiro I wanted,
have caused more strains on various parts of my body than I imagined.
With over two hours of training done every day before the show,
even if I can keep my physical strength,
it can't be changed that it's overwork in the first place.
My body parts are breaking down.
"How comfortable I would be if I could replace them…"
I have to laugh when those kind of things pop into my head.
Since the Tokyo Finale Performances began,
the pain in my body has become much worse.
I can't do anything at all about the uncontrollable pain in my back and neck.
Even when I fall asleep from exhaustion,
I wake up over and over again,
and feel even more exhausted when I get up the next morning.
I'll finally be freed from that kind of pain tonight.
But,
even this pain,
is only one of the memories from the long 120 shows.
Tomorrow, when the entire run of the show is over,
I don't want to write a solemn blog entry,
and I don't want to get in the mood to write one either.
I want to say goodbye to my friends with a smile.
I want to keep improving myself
until the day I'm in the same play again with the best colleagues ever.
We made this show up to where it is now all together.
They've saved me psychologically over and over.
I wish I could do this again with the same colleagues…
Nevertheless,
It seemed long………short………
no, definitely long~~!!!
But it was a good experience.
Thinking about nothing but the play for 120 performances
made me happy.
I've been given a huge influence for my life from now on,
and I hope everyone else has too.
Tomorrow, if I look back at the footprints of the play,
there will be so many tracks from 120 performances.
(photo)
I'm very grateful we made it this far
with no major casualties.
Because everyone involved in the play was so conscious,
we can face the final performance safely with no injuries.
I'm thankful for it.
I'll do my very best until the end of the end.
I'll show you how Nemuri Kyoshiro enchants you.
The final show.
I'll make this play into something that will be remembered in history.
To everyone who supported Nemuri Kyoshiro,
Thank you so much.
I'll be back some day.
Nemuri Kyoshiro,
Will be going now!!!
GACKT
P.S. Yesterday we celebrated Ken's birthday.
It will be the last time we celebrate a birthday in the Nemuri show like this.
Everyone has a good expression on their face.
They're the best colleagues.
Thanks guys.
(photo)
2011/03/05
Is This the Rebound…? Uuuuugh, it's tiring…
FORDEAR
My fever won't subside, it's really tiring.
The other day, the filming of a CM was held
on a snowy mountain at -15°C for 12 hours starting at 5am.
This really took it's toll on my body.
Because all the staff were just as cold as I was,
I pushed through it,
but when the filming was over, I had no feeling in my body,
and I was assaulted by a mind-boggling stomach ache and headache.
It seems I've completely caught a cold,
my fever won't go down and I feel sick.
This job was kind of tough,
I hadn't even been able to get rid of the exhaustion from NEMURI.
My joints hurt considerably.
In particular, I don't know whether it's the rebound from NEMURI,
or the fever,
but my neck and back really hurt…
AAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!
Help me… somehow
My head is pounding.
So because of that,
I'm writing a blog entry to wake me up,
but today and tomorrow as well,
is the beginning of a different shoot,
on a different snowy mountain…
Am I gonna be okay??
Uuuurgh…
I don't even know…
I wonder am I feeling the cold because I suddenly cut my hair…?
Well, it doesn't really matter…
Even though I love snowy mountains,
of course this time it kinda wore me out~~~
Pane, pane, go away~~~~~~~~~!!!!
What's with the spellcheck!!!!!
[NOTE: Because of the homonyms in Japanese, when you type, it's supposed to come up with the most likely kanji characters, along with a list. Sometimes it goes haywire and comes up with odd characters, or breaks the word in the wrong places, giving you weird kanji. "Pain" is mistyped as "corpse" in the original]
Don't funk with me. ["Don't fuck with me" mistyped as "not seat and"]
No seriously what's with the spellcheck!!?
Even my Mac is going crazy…
Hmmm…
Maybe it's like its owner.
Well…
Even if I complain,
and grumble,
there's still things in front of me I have to do.
So,
if you're a man,
if you're an adult,
you shut your face and do them.
And then when you're finished, you reward yourself properly.
That's how it goes.
If you can get your balance by doing that, then it's ok.
Words have a soul.
If you grumble, your own heart becomes ugly.
If you complain, complainers will gather around you.
There's no positives to it.
If you can smile, others who smile will gather.
If you put your spirit into living,
other's who did the same will gather around you.
That's how it goes,
Anyway, I'll do my best today too.
CHAAAAAAAAAARGE~~~~!!!!!!!!!!
There'll be good things today for sure!!!
I ain't gonna lose.
It's at times like these you've got to roll with the punches.
These circumstances are another special experience.
It's when you collapse that you should think about collapsing.
There's no one who can fight while thinking about collapsing.
Think about it when the results come out.
Yeah, I'm fucking good. [NOTE: He's referring to himself as "oresama" in the original, which is the most arrogant way possible]
Today I'll be in perfect form!!!!!!
GACKT
2011/03/11
It's because it's this sort of time, that we've gotta act calm
FORDEAR
Is everyone safe?
I'm worried,
but for now it's important to be patient and act calmly.
I'm just getting home from a four hour trip from Shinjuku to my own house.
The main road was full of people walking home,
and it was a constant traffic deadlock.
There could still be aftershocks,
and it's important to take precautions in case of a second disaster.
Dress warmly so you can leave the house at any time.
Have torches and light close at hand.
You should prepare some water.
Other than that, there's nothing that can be done other than pray the damage doesn't increase.
It's because it's this sort of time, that we've gotta act calm.
Let's all help each other.
I am praying for everyone's safety from inside my car.
GACKT
2011/03/12
Because It's Something We Can Do Now
The tense situation has not yet dissipated.
The damage is still increasing.
I've been having discussions with my colleagues since this morning.
All of us who are Japanese, must come together to help each other now.
Anyway, I'm starting work on what we can do.
I'm calling for all of your cooperation.
I think there's a lot of things we need to move quickly on,
so I want all of your to lend your strength.
Even if we can't do things with our individual strength
we have great power if we all move together.
Because it's this kind of time, we need the courage to reach out our hands.
To everyone in the Kansai region.
If you felt the pain from the Great Hanshin Earthquake,
you must understand how the victims feel now.
How tragic this is for the affected areas right now.
How much help they must need now.
It shouldn't feel like somebody else's problem.
Let's all take each other's hands and move.
To everyone in the Kyushu, Chugoku and Chubu regions.
The effected areas really need help now.
It isn't someone else's problem, it's time for us to all help people who are our own family.
We need everyone's help.
And the dangerous situation in Japan has not yet dissipated.
Please keep yourselves dressed warmly so you can move quickly.
Please make sure to have a torch close at hand.
To everyone in the Kanto region
You may have friends or relatives in the effected areas
and are of course wondering about their safety.
But please don't travel to the area.
I understand that you want to make sure all your friends and family are safe.
However, the reality is that during the Great Hanshin Earthquake, the cars of people travelling became an obstruction to emergency vehicles,
and delayed food and aid.
Patience is also necessary right now.
The emergency vehicles that can provide help need priority.
Please don't become an obstruction to them.
Please act calmly, and take precautions against a secondary disaster.
And, to everyone in the affected areas
I guess you won't be able to read this currently.
But we're all going to help you.
We're all going to take action.
We're all moving.
We'll all help together.
I guess you must be cold.
I guess it must be tough.
But have courage.
The situation will surely improve.
Please be brave and act calmly.
We are all Japanese friends who can join hands.
And, to everyone in the world
Japan is currently in an awful situation.
We need everyone's help.
Give us your courage and strength.
Don't think it's someone else's problem.
Don't overlook it.
We need you to reach out your hands,
We need your love.
Please.
Anyway, I'm going to start from what I can do now.
Please cooperate with me, everyone.
GACKT
2011/03/13
Next it's Your Turn. SHOW YOUR HEART!!!
FORDEAR
I'm still in the process
of calling out to many of my colleagues
Many of them have believed me
that we can do together what we cannot do alone.
One after another, my friends across the world are taking action.
The preparation for the charity site has finally been completed.
http://static.hangame.co.jp/hangame/extra/showyourheart/index.html
First, we've got to make a start.
We're doing everything else we can.
Even businesses have stepped in.
I'm still trying to get more businesses involved from this point on.
We will not abandon those in the affected areas.
Anyway, it's a time when even one person can help many friends.
It's not someone else's problem.
We now have to proceed as one.
Right now at this instant,
even one of us can deliver warmth and peace
to someone shivering as they wait for help in the cold disaster area.
There's something that we each can do.
Just have a little courage
Just have a little kindness
I want you all to say, "Let's help" to the person next to you.
For us Japanese to be Japanese,
there is a certain "soul" we must not forget.
I want you to remember.
We have friends shivering in the cold right now.
There are many terrified children crying.
While we are warm in our homes,
watching over the situation,
there are many people waiting for help.
We have begun to take action.
Now it's your turn.
Let's all join hands and get through this together.
The world is watching.
Let's move first.
If we don't, no one will reach out to us.
It's time to call out to the world.
It's not time to feel ashamed of it.
It's not time to think it's someone else's problem.
It's not time to put on airs.
I'll beg if I have to.
Let's all get through this, together
SHOW YOUR HEART!!!
http://static.hangame.co.jp/hangame/extra/showyourheart/index.html
Let these words be a call to everyone's heart.
Many artists are each calling out to their own fans.
To all my DEARS
I can't believe how many of you there are in the Tohoku region.
And all your friends and family are there too.
There are also many of my friends who I haven't been able to contact.
They are waiting.
For our help.
Let's start now.
SHOW YOUR HEART!!!
Finally, to everyone in the affected areas
Hold on just a bit longer.
We will absolutely not abandon you.
The world is reaching out their hands now.
We're doing our best too.
So everyone, hang on just a bit longer.
I am with you.
GACKT
SHOW YOUR HEART
http://static.hangame.co.jp/hangame/extra/showyourheart/index.html
2011/03/17
Please Read if You Have Doubts About the Charity Project. GACKT
FORDEAR
I guess everyone is tired in many senses of the word.
I guess those in the disaster areas are really holding on.
I guess they're continuing forward even though it's lonely and difficult.
Everyone is fighting with all their might.
To everyone in the Japanese Self Defence Force working without sleep or rest in the area, thank you for your hard work.
To everyone going around as a volunteer, thank you so much.
I guess everyone affiliated with national organisations
is shouldering many responsibilities and fighting through the night without sleep.
And, more than anything, I guess the victims
are fighting fear, hunger and uncertainty
in an environment we can't even begin to imagine.
Don't give up hope.
We're all going to help you for sure.
We're doing everything we can now too.
I've been working through the night too.
In Tokyo, even if you try to gather supplies,
at the moment there's nothing left
and no way to transport it.
There's no fuel.
It's a situation that couldn't have been imagined until a few days ago.
Even so, along with many of my colleagues,
we desperately scraped up what we could.
Many businesses also
agreed "to do what we can"
and helped take action.
We managed to desperately scrape together some fuel.
Now, I am just hoping from the bottom of my heart
that we can deliver even just a little of everyone's courage and feelings
I don't know how many victims we'll be able to help.
But it's full of the courage of all those who joined me.
This time,
unfortunately,
even in this emergency,
since there are heartless people around,
it has come to my attention that fraudulent and chain emails are circulating.
Of course, I knew it was a possibility.
But it's a real shame.
At this kind of time, at this important moment,
there are people doing that?
Why are you holding us back?
Did you think it would be fun, somehow?
I can't call them anything but people with too much free time.
Or idiots.
If they were here, I'd give them my high speed heel drop kick.
Everyone, please don't be taken in by these stupid fraud and chain mails.
Or should I say, I don't think you'll be taken in,
but it's just so low it's embarrassing to me as a Japanese person.
I want everyone to know.
In the chaos immediately following the earthquake,
NHN Japan was the fastest
to move to endorse my actions.
It was so that everyone who wanted to do something
could take action quickly, even a little.
To define a direction for everyone's feelings.
"Even if I want to do something, I can't…"
"Can't I do something…?"
It was to move into action to give the people who were thinking that just a little chance.
To give the feeling of wanting to all move together
and help the people in the disaster areas form.
With that feeling, NHN Japan and I took action together.
I've worked through the night to get to this point.
I have a relationship with them from DRAGONEST.
The company president himself donated, took the initiative,
prioritised the establishment of a charity site above all else
and allowed us to use a separate bank account owned by the company.
To avoid me being bashed by the media
for using a bank account of my own for donations
he said he'd take full responsibility for it in my place
His feeling was that he wanted me
to devote myself to volunteer and charity activities
without pointless noise being thrown around.
Of course, we are making an application for an exclusive donation account for SHOW YOUR HEART.
But that will take time to set up.
So until then,
they allowed us to use a separate bank account they owned.
Of course, there's a certified public accountant too.
We planned to open it to the public bit by bit,
but since developing the system will take a fair bit of time,
we've postponed the development,
because there is a mountain of higher priority work.
We have currently gathered 70,000,000yen
And, regarding where to send the donations, we decided to discuss it carefully.
I knew from the beginning there was the possibility of that being the target of bashing as well.
But there's a big difference between an action taken to avoid bashing
and an action made on a practical decision to reach the place you think needs it most now.
Therefore, there was a need to investigate thoroughly.
At the very beginning, we started with the idea that we'd give the money directly to the prefectural governors and have them distribute it to the victims as reconstruction money.
But as the situation at the moment is nothing but spreading chaos with no sign of resolution,
the government agencies have their hands completely full.
Upon hearing this, we decided to turn our priority towards immediate aid.
"Immediate relief aid, and reconstruction aid"
These two things have completely different meanings.
Therefore, we came to a decision to completely back up the Japanese Red Cross.
There are various reasons for choosing to prioritise relief aid.
There are also several methods and reasons for them with regard to collecting donations.
Of course, when you continue activity for a long period of time,
it is extremely hard to keep hold of the worlds thoughts.
That's why we've decided that, rather than a long period of time,
we're going to divide it into terms and open the charity each time
so that the motivation to gather donations doesn't taper off.
It happened during the Kobe earthquake too,
a "conclusion of the Japanese people's sentiment towards the victims"
I believe this is a method to prevent "a conclusion of the people of the world's sentiment towards the victims"
The problems with reconstruction will be more serious than the ones occurring now,
and the substantial activity will require even more energy.
The reality is that it's not just now that the victims will suffer.
Can you all imagine,
continuing on for years without even having your own home?
Can you imagine the pain of having to continue working
a company you established while burdened with great debts?
The Kobe earthquake was immediately followed by suicides in the aftermath.
I cry just imagining it.
If the world itself abandoned us,
If we were forgotten as lost things of the past.
People live in hope.
They can live on if there is hope.
They can live on if they believe they will definitely not be forgotten
They can live on if they feel that someone is thinking of them.
They can live on if they feel they are not alone.
That's why we're aiming to continue gathering money in separate periods of time.
This time, the goal is "To back up the Japanese Red Cross".
And, once we've achieved that,
next we'll move to a period of strictly targeting rebuilding.
We won't manage to raise money just from everyone reading the website.
It's not that people are going to contribute because they read the words and can understand them.
It's because people's hearts will move, that we will gather money as a realisation of what we each can do.
TMR, Nishikawa-kun is also doing his best to take action.
We are all together in the feeling of wanting to do something.
We are facing the same direction.
Therefore, I have decided, this time, from now to March 31st,
I will do as much as I can till that point.
It's because our goals are defined in periods of time,
that we can stay up night after night.
That we can try harder.
That we can think of trying harder.
That we can show strength.
That everyone can think, we can keep going.
That is my answer, and my method.
It's truly difficult to extend your ability to concentrate.
To never feel like "whatever".
At the moment, everyone taking action in Japan
is stirred up this instant doing what they can.
I think it's okay like that.
I don't want people to do the impossible.
I just want you to face it,
and not think of it as someone else's problem.
I hope that I can put a punch into the hearts of
those who still think it's someone else's problem
and those who think I'm just showing off.
I hope that the words "Isn't it that kind of situation?"
can be a loving slap across the face.
That's how I feel.
Aren't you happy?
When someone thanks you from the bottom of their heart for your actions?
That's all it is.
The reason is simple.
We are Japanese people,
and as such we can reach out our hands
to the person beside us who is in trouble
The Japanese people who have forgotten that spirit,
will ruin this country and the children living in it.
We are Japanese people, and we have that spirit.
That's why,
at this very moment,
we should be moving, right?
I don't care if you think I'm showing off,
if in this instant, you can feel like
you're even a little bit more with it than you were yesterday
I'm going to take a nap for a little while
GACKT
2011/03/19
We Finally Managed to Deliver Supplies. Thanks Everyone.
FORDEAR
Last night, we managed to deliver supplies to Hitachi, one of the disaster areas.
And tonight,
we managed to deliver a load to Tagajo, where the streets had been swallowed up by the tsunami.
Even now there are still supplies on the way.
There are cracks all over the roads,
and the traffic in the opposite lane is an innumerable number of emergency vehicles.
Apparently there was an incredible number of police cars and fire trucks all in a line.
My friends came back safely at 4am.
As soon as I heard their voice, I shed tears for some reason.
I don't know what they were tears of,
but anyway, I was glad from the bottom of my heart that my friends were safe.
"The image of everyone's joyful faces when the side door of the truck opened is burned into my mind"
I was glad to hear them say that… glad from the bottom of my heart.
Of course, I did want to go myself.
But I'd just cause trouble instead.
There are a mountain of things that need to be done here,
and there are still a lot of other things I have to give priority to now.
We've entrusted all our feelings to our friends.
I hope we can deliver even a little bit of the feelings of those who participated
to those in the disaster area.
Midday today,
I went to the warehouse to check the supplies,
but, maybe because I wanted them to be delivered even a little bit faster,
before I knew it, I was earnestly loading the truck along with everyone.
Even those massive cases of drinking water, will become their hope of living.
When we'd finished packing the truck, the people working in the warehouse said to me warmly,
"We saw on the news about this charity work. We're all supporting you"
All of them assisted me in doing the impossible.
Their hearts were moved by this emergency,
and because they prioritized human lives above paperwork
and things that should have been done first, they took action with me.
Thank you so much.
The world isn't just full of rotten guys.
I am being supported by so many people,
so I have a duty to do what must be done.
This time, we began a charity site called
"SHOW YOUR HEART"
Its goal is, first and foremost, to gather even a single yen more in donations.
I believe that is what we should be doing now.
"Shouldn't you gather supplies and take them straight to the effected areas?"
Of course, a lot of people told me that.
But to do that requires more hard work, and necessary formalities,
and most of all, a much greater amount of time than you can imagine.
This time, I didn't ask for the public's help
in delivering goods to the people in the disaster areas.
That was to avoid confusion.
This time, we managed to send more than 60 tons
of vehicles with goods to the disaster areas.
Of course, I don't think that's enough.
We're still transporting more goods right now.
Our time is being eaten up
by necessary preparations and administrative procedures.
And during that required time,
the things that are needed in the area, the circumstances,
the conditions the authorities give out, and the restrictions are all rapidly changing.
There have been a lot of times when what was fine the day before is no good the next day,
and what was no good and taking up heaps of time the day before,
we've suddenly been granted permission to do the next day.
It has also happened that during the time needed to prepare,
even if you take the prepared things
they won't be needed in the area any more.
This time, thanks to cooperative work with many people,
we have managed to deliver 60 tons of goods since the 17th.
But this work took a fair amount of time from when the earthquake occurred.
The reason for that is the official procedures require a lot of time,
and there are a lot of reasons they need to be done.
It's because I've seen often,
that even if you transport supplies to the area,
you'll have to turn back halfway, and won't get there,
or you can't take the vehicle there.
If you don't reach the disaster area there's no point.
The procedures for emergency vehicles,
The formal request for assistance from the area,
Arranging the route,
Getting permission to pass through,
Securing a storehouse,
Securing transport vehicles,
Securing fuel,
Arranging refueling points,
Securing personnel,
The issue of food poisoning,
The issue of allergies,
Sorting the delivery,
Packing the delivery…
There's enough endless formalities and work to kill you.
This work is over capacity for the number of staff I employ.
Everyone is losing efficiency from working through the nights.
Of course, I'm dying to deliver as many supplies as I can right this instant.
But as a non-government organization there are restrictions,
and we can actually have a negative effect,
so transporting goods is a nerve-wracking problem.
We can't just send whatever and hope they'll be happy.
Having considered that,
we're delivering what needs to be delivered to those in the disaster areas.
From now on, we have to act keeping in mind the balance of not oversupplying the areas with goods.
"You want to transport goods, so go take them!"
I understand how the people who are saying this feel so well it hurts.
But there's a limit to how much we can load in the trucks.
Even going directly to the effected areas to help
would clearly be an obstruction right now.
The help required in the area is a professional's work.
If us common folk were there we'd often be a burden.
For the above reasons
money raising activity comes first
and I think it is the biggest thing that we can all work on.
Having said that,
I want to thank all those who helped me transport supplies like this
from the very, very bottom of my heart.
The goods gathered from all over the place will definitely be delivered.
They worked through the nights as well.
They worked at unfamiliar job for dear life.
Everyone used their feelings to take action.
There were also many who fled from their task
"Gathering goods like that won't work" and
"I'm not feeling it".
This time, a large crowd of companions participated, with their own feelings.
From those who truly thought of the people in the disaster area and wanted to do something
to those who just thought why not.
There will be plenty of time for
the conversation over whether someone's way of thinking is right
and someone else's is wrong when the situation calms down.
No matter what the reason
is the "virtue" of preaching your theories at great length
while not taking action right?
I don't know.
Even just a little, there's no point even judging whether it's right or wrong now.
I think taking action now is the way I am.
Anyway, I moved.
Contemplation should be at the end of the day,
and used when taking action on the next day.
There's no time to stop and stand around.
No matter what their reasons,
I am grateful to those who assisted from the bottom of my heart.
Last night, I received a letter from someone in one of the areas goods were delivered to.
And photos she had taken were attached.
"To GACKT-san, all the staff, and all those who assisted with the supplies,
When one of the trucks from GACKT's concerts showed up, and the luggage hold opened to show the load packed inside I was shocked.
The staff here also cheered "Wow~".
There were many types of goods loaded, and I think that gathering that many goods, carefully selecting them, and loading them up must have been a truly, truly difficult undertaking.
The contents of the boxes was handwritten on the cardboard, and all the goods that were delivered contained everyone's feelings.
I wondered if there had ever been a warmer gift, and I was so truly moved I couldn't stop crying.
Currently, there are 150 people who came to take refuge from the incident at the Fukushima Nuclear Plant in Hitachi.
Naturally, they wanted to get as far away as possible, but of course there is a shortage of gasoline so the best they could do was come to Hitachi.
The precious, precious goods we received, will reach not only the people of Hitachi, but the people of Fukushima,
and all those waiting who need them!
Since the supplies were delivered to Hitachi this time, I am worried that GACKT-san might be criticized and bashed by people thinking "Why Ibaraki?"
I understand that no matter what you do, if there are people who approve, there will also be people who criticize.
But it's very frustrating to think that even the feelings of GACKT-san and all the staff who just purely wanted to help people in trouble might be criticized.
I want to say as loudly as I can that there are no other relief supplies packed with this much consideration to the feelings of the victims.
GACKT-san, and your group, your feelings have reached me perfectly. I can't thank you enough…
There's been a lot of damage, and I think it will take a lot of time to return to our former lives.
But with the power of people GACKT-san's group showed us, and the amazing power of unity engraved into our hearts, we will all combine our strength and do our best too!
That they're heading to Miyagi tomorrow… I think it will be tough since the roads to there are even more dangerous than Ibaraki.
I hope that the feelings of GACKT-san's group can safely reach everyone in Miyagi ☆
Thank you so, so much. Please tell everyone who helped thank you.
*Mari*
[Photo: Loading door opens]
[Photo: People at the City Hall]
[Photo: People from the JDSF]
And I also got a letter from a friend who desperately gathered supplies in the Kansai region.
In this way, the hearts of people who have never met can be connected.
"I am happy that we managed to deliver 60 tons of supplies there.
While they were raving about donations of 500 million and 1 billion yen donations on the TV, I thought it was wonderful but we'd never be able to do it.
When the donations were put out to be gathered, the situation was that could hardly get anything but 1,000yen, or five rolls of toilet paper.
During that time, when it got to midday, I slowly began to gather things until in the end I had 10 tons of goods.
10 tons in only one day.
60 tons is a wonderful gift packed with the thoughts and feelings of tens of thousands of people.
In there, were people who could only donate 100yen or 100grams.
But when you get tens of thousands of people together, it adds up to 60 tons.
What should really be broadcasted is those who said this.
That it isn't money,
That when people gather they can do things that money can't,
With a true leader, GACKT,
I felt for the first time what something wonderful is.
I'm going on and on, but while there's been many things I haven't been able to do in my life up until now,
I was taught this lesson.
I am looking forward to the day we meet again. Please take care of your health.
Tora"
[Photo: Sorting items to be delivered]
[Photo: Working]
[Photo: Sorting completed]
All their physical work took 16 hours,
and they sorted the gathered supplies and delivered them.
Like this, with the support of many friends,
we managed to achieve one objective.
Even now I am still worried about the safety of my friends heading into the disaster areas.
But everyone who left said unanimously,
"The people trying their hardest in the disaster areas are finding it hundreds of times tougher"
They promised me they would deliver the load no matter what happened.
I believe them.
Because they are my friends.
Currently, we are right in the middle of a tragedy that may have a death toll exceeding 20,000 people.
I can't believe there are still people who think it is someone else's problem.
There are even people who complain about the way others sweat over it.
And people who make a living out of slandering others.
It's a sad story.
But those definitely aren't the only kinds of people.
It's okay to start where you can.
Anyway, I want you to move.
I hear every day that my friends from overseas have donated.
You can't donate to the bank account on the site from overseas.
They're donating directly to the Red Cross.
My charity isn't the only one to donate to.
It doesn't matter where you donate to.
It's okay as long as everyone chooses responsibly on their own.
Now, Rakuten bank has taken full responsibility for accepting the bank transfers.
I am grateful from the bottom of my heart that they dealt with it with such speed.
I'd also like to ask a favor of the authorities.
Rules shouldn't be something you should just strictly crack down on,
but something you proceed with smoothly.
What you should prioritize above all else are the victims.
I don't want to blame the authorities.
I want to cooperate with them.
There are many non government organizations thinking that.
I'm hoping from the bottom of my heart that the situation takes a turn for the better.
I understand that every day is awful work, too.
This blog is getting long, but
until the end of this month,
at any rate well keep gathering even one more yen.
Everyone in the disaster areas, do your best.
We will never abandon you.
SHOW YOUR HEART
GACKT
I'm going to nap for a bit.
SHOW YOUR HEART (Large Scale Donation Site)
http://static.hangame.co.jp/hangame/extra/showyourheart/index.html
Bank Name: Rakuten Bank (0036)
Branch Name: Main Branch
Branch No. 101
Account Number: 9000130
Account Name:
Rakuten Bank Corporation Show Your Heart Donations
2011/04/13
SHOW YOUR HEART Activity Report Number… I Forgot
FORDEAR
It took a long time,
but I put together a report of the activity from the 31st until today.
Anyway, there were so many photos sent in that just looking at them all was a challenge
and I'm sorry that it took so long to put them together.
Since I want to put everyone's photos in even if it means this blog is full of them,
I'll post photos at intervals through the report.
[Photo:SHOW UR HEART*GIVE UR LOVE]
Many friends helped out, not just in Japan, but all over the world.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Singapore]
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Netherlands]
There was too much work leading up to the 31st,
so I'm not sure what to write and how…
The one thing I have to say is,
this round of SHOW YOUR HEART's activity
was not something created with my own strength.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kinki region]
Many friends helped.
Starting with Mayo Kawasaki, my celebrity friends also helped.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kanagawa and Tokyo]
Including my dancers, there was a crowd of friends who took command all over Japan.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kanto region]
NHN, Rakuten, Pizza-la, Stone Market…
I can't list all the companies, but many of our friends took action.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kanto region]
Heart calling heart, many friends endorsed it and helped us.
And not just Japanese, but DEARS all over the world took action.
We are connected.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from North Shinetsu region]
I am truly grateful.
Of course, the situation is still not over,
the things that must be done are increasing day by day,
and what is needed in the area changes with dizzying speed.
In that chaotic situation, and in the long restoration from now on,
if our hearts are not connected strongly, our future will become naught.
If we merely restore "things", none of what was lost will return,
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kansai region]
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Chugoku region]
We must restore our hearts.
That is the most important thing we must remember.
I feel that now more than ever…
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Okinawa region]
With the cold still remaining on the 31st of March,
for two hours from 5pm-7pm,
in 130 locations around the country, thanks to 5000 people, the simultaneous street fundraising was held.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Chubu and Tokai regions]
In these two hours, we raised 25,234,490 yen in donations.
And from about 3 weeks of fundraising activities, we delivered donations totalling 210 million yen to Red Cross Japan.
This is the crystallisation of the hearts of our many friends, and the many people who approved and donated.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kansai region]
On the 31st, the first round of national fundraising concluded,
but even internationally, many friends of SHOW YOUR HEART took action.
Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Norway, Romania…
Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Malaysia, Macao, Singapore, Thailand, Australia…
America, Canada, Brazil, Argentine, Chile, Colombia…
I can't list them all, but friends living in many countries
raised their hands in each place and proceeded with this fundraising with us.
In each country, it was an event held under strict regulations.
In countries with regulations on street fundraising far stricter than Japan, many friends helped.
And messages of love came from many countries.
If you search for "SHOW YOUR HEART" on YouTube,
you can see these messages that are overflowing with love with your own eyes.
Please take a look.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=SHOW+YOUR+HEART&aq=f
Up to the 31st, much work was being performed simultaneously.
The preparation for the street fundraising goes without saying,
and there were many requests for goods from the disaster area that we were proceeding with at the same time.
The requests from the disaster areas still show no sign of an end even now.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kanto region]
Before the 31st, a few people were working with us,
but since the scale of the project was too huge,
in the end it became a large operation with 200 staff.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kanto region]
The many event coordinators and police stations around the country that cooperated with us also helped greatly.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kanto region]
Realistically, whatever you do there will be people who complain.
I heard the experiences of people who assisted in the street fundraising in several locations.
"Don't you yell in my face!!!"
It seems there were a lot of people who received those kind of jeers.
It seems like there were school kids saying things like
"This money won't really go to the disaster area, right??"
and "Hypocrites!!!"
and pushing in saying "We'll take it" while smiling sideways.
The friends who dealt with that said
"It was humiliating to hear all those things, but…
we cried when people donated with a smile"
"We really came to understand that there are many kinds of people…"
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Chugoku region]
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Chubu and Tokai region]
I think that actually doing street fundraising,
is feeling the pain directly.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Okinawa region]
Used to living a virtual life in our internet society, now
we have rapidly stopped feeling pain directly,
and I feel that being abused by someone to your face
and having what you are doing in the belief that it is right completely repudiated,
might even rather be a necessary thing.
In this mad world where hurting each other anonymously has become a matter of course,
in order to regain ourselves and our hearts as humans,
it is necessary to feel people's pain directly, and understand it
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kyushu region]
If you know pain,
then you won't be able to think of those truly suffering
as someone else's problem.
It's okay to start with something small you can do.
I think that's okay.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from North Shinetsu region]
I don't think that amidst the pros and cons
I should restrain myself from doing it all.
I even think that this way of self restraint
is why the Japanese economy has stagnated.
Isn't it because it is a time like this,
that we should look at the beautiful cherry blossoms
and be grateful that we can think that they are beautiful…?
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from North Shinetsu region]
Of course,
My opinion is only of one man.
I don't want to debate what's right and wrong.
For me, singing songs is my job,
making songs reach people is my job,
and expressing feelings in that song that ring bells in someone's heart is my job.
If you hear those songs
and decide to try your best,
that also has great meaning.
It's the same as cherry blossoms.
It's the same as looking at the cherry blossoms
and shedding tears
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Chubu and Tokai region]
There are many things we can do as SHOW YOUR HEART from now on.
And I've been continuing to reconsider my own actions from now on,
thinking that there are many more things that I must do while continuing with my musical activity.
I should use the existence of songs and music inside myself for that purpose.
Maybe that is my way of living.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kansai region]
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kansai region]
Of course, at the moment, there are many things I'm proceeding with outside of music.
Cooperating with the "Stand Strong East Japan Project" is one of them.
Cooperating with Tokyo Collection to take action so that we don't become jaded to this event is another.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Shikoku region]
Among the things that were said today in my conversations with Seijou-kun from the "Stand Strong East Japan Project"
were "What are the things that I can do because of who I am now?"
and "What on earth is it that I can do now…?"
This is the basic way of thinking that he and I are acting on.
"Stand Strong East Japan Project"
http://sites.google.com/site/fjm201104/
Anyway, we're not talking about doing the impossible,
In moving to investigate throughly "Is there something I can do because of who I am now?"
one image became clear.
As the circle expands, it becomes something useful,
If I can help many people even on my own…
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Shikoku region]
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Hokkaido region]
Currently, it is said that we will need 50 trillion yen to rebuild the country, and some reports say 200 trillion.
I think there are already people who can't comprehend the size of those numbers.
In actuality, the total the Red Cross has gathered is 130 billion.
If we suppose that it will take 20 trillion to rebuild,
in a way that can be felt,
our situation now is like
"It will take 200,000yen to fix things, but I only have 1,300 on hand"
Everyone should understand now how many people,
and how much money and supplies are needed.
Currently, there are too many things lacking.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from North Shinetsu region]
Therefore, we'll need to support each other for a long time.
We will also need help from outside the country.
And we will need something to support our hearts.
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kyushu region]
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kanto region]
So that we don't become jaded
So that we can regain our smiles for even a day
And also so that the children who will live in the future won't lose their smiles.
Let's do our best…
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART from Kansai region]
Ahaha
I don't know how many times I've said "Do your best" to myself since last month,
but it's surprisingly not that bad.
This "Let's do our best" isn't to force anyone,
it's encouragement for ourselves…
So I don't lose to my own weaknesses
GACKT
[Photo: SHOW YOUR HEART receipt]
2011/07/18
At last… it begins
FORDEAR
We're finally beginning the Europe tour.
I even ended up greeting the day of my birthday during the middle of filming the PV
Ahahahaha
[Video: Filming PV]
Well, it can't be helped.
Everything's been pushed back.
But everyone congratulated me one way or another
Yesterday the band all got together casually "to party"
but I was really happy when they all bought birthday cakes for me
[Photo]
[Photo]
Since about the week before my birthday,
and even now, my physical condition has not returned to normal and my voice has been mostly gone.
I'd sing, and then I'd lose it, then sing then lose it.
It just won't get better.
Well, I can't help that either.
Gotta laugh at times like these.
Yesterday after I went to the hospital,
I was peeking into a street in Shibuya,
and saw scenery I'd never seen before.
I've lived in Tokyo for 16 years now
and there's still lots I've never seen before
[Photo]
Time is really precious
and it passes in the blink of an eye.
Like sand slipping through your fingers.
Lately, even unremarkable scenery
seems like something precious.
Slight smiles, sudden smiles
feel like something priceless.
Even time spent pointlessly partying with friends
seems like important, precious time.
Maybe it's because I'm tired,
that wonderful smiles penetrate into my heart.
I got lots of happy birthday emails from all of you too.
The words "Thank you so much" won't stop overflowing.
I'll be leaving Japan shortly,
so I'm happy to show up for even a little while in front of all the DEARS.
Anyway, looks like it's going to be a long night,
I'll go do my best, then?
GACKT
2011/07/26
From GACKT's Bus Window France 2011 Edition
FORDEARS
The New YFC has finally got moving.
It took a long time to make the conception a reality,
but we managed to make an explosive entrance.
I'll leave the sequence of events and timing
that led to me devising the New YFC
and the events up until now until a later date.
We finished the shows in Paris,
spent a half day off in the city,
and now we're heading towards the next venue, Cologne
Well, as always my sleeping time is extremely short,
so it's almost an certainty that I greet the dawn alone.
Well, it's because obviously no one else is awake at this hour.
Recently JON asked me.
"G, I've been meaning to ask,
but can you sleep well on the bus?"
"Umm, let me see…
I usually sleep for an extremely short time
so I can't really say"
"Huh… how long for?"
"Mostly… about 2-3 hours…"
"Wha????? Can you even live on that much sleep?"
"Well, I do sleep more if there's a woman next to me"
"In other words, you have sex?
Even though you're nothing like a human"
"What do you mean?"
"It seems like you normally drink blood…"
"Ahahaha, I hear that a lot"
Well, since there's no way to bring a woman with me onto the bus,
I end up sleeping an extremely short time.
Of course, it would be impossible for two people
to sleep on a bed this narrow.
But it might not be so bad.
Ahahahaha.
To sleep in each others arms in a narrow place
would be quite sweet.
I might give it a go next time.
I usually don't take photos.
Basically, I usually try to make it so that the scenery is burnt into my mind.
I feel like if it's seen through a camera, the scenery doesn't remain in your heart,
and just because you photographed it doesn't mean that you can see it again.
But that way, I can't convey to all my DEARS
what it is I'm looking at
so I'm trying to take as many photos as possible.
But it's not like the frequency of taking them is going to increase a lot
so please don't expect too many.
On the night of July 19th,
rehearsal started as soon as we arrived in Paris.
And when I say that, I mean, in an already tight situation
the data still wasn't prepared.
It was the first time that we had no choice to quickly go from the rehearsal to the real show
with so little time and with preparations unfinished.
That said, even if you tediously think about it all there's nothing you can do about it
You've just got to do what you can and not give up till the very end.
There's nothing else you can do.
Nothing but fight.
[Photo: State of heart]
Since we planned to stay in a hotel
just for the France show,
we put our bags in the room.
I was in the same room as JON, who was becoming nervous,
so I talked about a lot of things with him.
"Rather than fret about the small things,
it's most important to tackle the live portraying an image
that will make all the fans who came to see you return home happy"
Image is a way for a person to pull out
the power that is within them until the very end.
I've never begun anything
without some kind of image.
Without fail from the beginning to the end I sketch an image in my head,
and paint a picture in my heart of the look I and the person I am facing will have on their face at that time.
If you do that,
the result will surely turn towards that which you have strongly painted with your heart.
I woke up at 4am
and prepared for the early morning in France.
The sun was about to rise.
Until then, I made preparations to go outside
and search for a bakery.
[Photo: The city wakes]
[Photo: The early morning scenery on the street when I left my hotel]
This is my daily routine in France.
There's one habit inside me
that I have to do whenever I visit France.
Of course, you can get bread in the hotel too,
but it's rather bland.
I've never encountered delicious bread in a hotel.
[Photo: The street I earnestly set off down]
It was simple.
I determinedly set off down the street.
[Photo: The transforming street]
When it's early, there are hardly any people,
but that again, is fun.
In densely populated Paris,
I love the time slot with hardly any people to bits.
[Photo: A shot of street parking in Paris]
After walking for 10 minutes, I found a bakery.
[Photo: The first bakery a short walk from the hotel]
A lady with a wonderful smile greeted me.
[Photo: Inside the first bakery]
We couldn't communicate in English,
but I ordered two croissants with my broken French.
"Two Mr. Kurosawa…please" [Note: "Croissant" in Japanese is "kurowassan", GACKT is misspelling it as "Kurosawa-san" to make a point about his awful French]
She answered me with a smile.
When I asked if they were baking the bread in the store,
she answered with the most wonderful smile,
"We make it inside"
Anyway, her smile was beautiful.
[Photo: The small store interior]
I decided to walk while eating the bread.
[Photo: Mr. Kurosawa in his paper bag]
[Photo: The street opening up in front of me]
After 20 mins of walking,
the street opened up a bit.
The cars began to past quickly and wildly.
[Photo: A busy early morning intersection]
[Photo: The Devil King wandering around in the early morning]
This time I found a bakery where
a group of Indonesian looking people were hurrying around
[Photo: The second bakery]
When I went in and looked around
they were certainly busy.
I spotted something delicious looking.
"What's this?"
"It's an apple pie!!!"
they snapped with a fake smile.
I'm not sure why they got angry at me over an apple pie,
but I bought it to try anyway.
I didn't expect much,
but it was so delicious it exceeded my expectations by far.
I decided to buy one as a souvenir for JON
[Photo: Souvenir for Jon]
When you walk along the street in the early morning, you can calmly peek at the front of various stores.
While I was looking at the photos of apartments stuck on the window of the real estate agent's,
I seriously thought about moving there for a little while.
[Photo: The real estate agent's window]
[Photo: A room I was interested in]
[Photo: A picturesque street]
[Photo: A stylish tobacconists]
There were a lot of furniture stores too.
In a very French way, there were even
stores that only sold hinges and doorknobs.
But once again it was difficult to take photos of any of them.
[Photo: A small furniture store]
[Photo: A store with a history]
When I walked a little further,
this time I found a bread store with a line.
The apple tart looking thing here caught my eye.
It looked really sweet,
but I decided to give it a try anyway.
[Photo: The third bakery with a good atmosphere]
[Photo: The facade of the surprisingly well done bakery]
[Photo: The inside with people lining up]
[Photo: Brightly colored]
It was so delicious!!!!
"Rising early is a penny's profit," a long time ago someone put it really well.
The concert this day would surely go well,
since I managed to find such a nice bakery.
Then I got on the subway
I wondered if I should go to a town further away,
but since I was confident I wouldn't be able to get back
I left it for another time.
[Photo: The subway entrance]
[Photo: I don't understand at all…]
I returned to the road I had set off on,
and when at last I returned to my hotel room
JON was still asleep.
"JON!!!!!!!!! WAKE UUUUUUUUUP!!!!!!"
I shouted, and he slowly got up
rubbing his eyes.
When I handed him the apple pie,
he tried to eat it while half asleep.
The moment he took a bite,
he woke up with a,
"This is so delicious~~~~~~!!!!!!!"
After that, we all ran to the gym.
We started training.
[Photo: JON and I after training]
As always, Shin-chan wasn't there,
but I guess he was in his room
silently training alone.
We greeted the day of the concert like this,
and during a tight schedule, we finished our first full rehearsal
With everyone pleasantly nervous,
we finished our two days of performance in Paris.
I think you'll be able to touch on
the contents of the Paris concerts
in the other member's blogs
so I won't write about it here,
but it was a concert that made me convinced of its evolution from now on.
There's still room for improvement.
And still a lot to do.
Having finished the second day,
everyone was tired out.
After we did a meeting to review the concerts,
we all went to a bar together.
We decided to go to a bar known for being interesting, the Buddha Bar.
[Photo: Inside a bar with atmosphere]
When we entered, it was an unusually made bar.
We all went in and ended the second day chatting idly abut various things.
The third day I took a day off in the suburbs of Paris.
[Photo: The sleeper bus in the suburbs]
[Photo: Camping ground]
I had a plan to eat with some Parisian friends that night,
but until then I decided to go shopping in the city a bit.
I'd hardly brought any jackets with me this time,
so I decided to go look for a nice one.
Time passed in the blink of an eye.
Night came and I went to my friends house.
With people I had various overseas connections with including through SYH,
I first met a film director at his girlfriends house.
I brought JON with me,
but anyway, from the girlfriend who lived in the middle of Paris' house,
Paris looked completely different.
[Photo: A new street]
[Photo: JON loitering]
I spoke to the film director and cameramen about various things for two hours,
then decided to go somewhere different.
I met with a senior executive of France's largest advertising company to eat,
and he was also exceedingly artistic and interesting.
Once again, the scenery from his rooms had a special atmosphere,
and I have no words other than "As expected".
[Photo: An old street visible from the window]
[Photo: The street changing its colors]
We talked in his apartment till past 11pm,
then returned to the bus.
The other members
had also each gone around to look at various places.
Apparently YOU and U:ZO had been getting wasted drunk since the middle of the day.
When they got back to the bus, they'd emptied 6 bottles of wine
and were in very high spirits.
I saw YOU drunk for the first time in ages.
This is how each of our long days ended.
And again today,
begins a new day in Germany.
[Photo: Early morning near the German border]
Well then… shall I go prepare…?
Everyone else better get up now too!!!!
I'm going to convey the most intense emotions again tonight.
Seeya
GACKT