Those Trees

Thankfully the weather was beautiful following that tumultuous rainy day. I decided to revisit a place I had not planned on going to again. Because something was happening there. So I said hello again to the Seven Lucky Gods at Kuro Nakazato Shrine.

And I thanked them for the beautiful weather and these glorious trees. 

I'm glad these photos turned out decently to share a bit of the wonderful autumn colors. 

Which I found with my favorite pair of komainu at Hiratsuka-jinja Shrine.

Since I've posted information about Hiratsuka-jinja before, I will just share photos of a few details and these trees. 

Strange Sightings in Shinjuku

This isn't strange to see. It was the Moi-même-Moitié window display for KERA SHOP in Shinjuku Marui Annex. The day after the concerts I took the Fukutoshin Line to Shinjuku-Sanchome Station. I ended up taking the Fukutoshin Line to most places. Not only was it closest to the Ikebukuro Station entrance that I used, but it often was less crowded than the Yamanote Line. Which is always good. Another thing that was different, I didn't buy anything at KERA SHOP this day. Instead I bought shoes.

While heading up to KERA SHOP I noticed something odd. 

Turned out this was a pop-up shop for Krampus Japan ~Rising~. 

They were selling goods, promoting music and participate in Krampus Fes events in Japan. 

The manager was really nice, even moving the figures so I could get better photos of them. 

These are mostly costumes people wear. But it was fun to see Krampus in Japan. Very unexpected. 

Because the weather was rather bad, I decided to see about lunch there. Looking outside it was nice in one direction. 

 And like this in the other direction. They were even giving tornado warnings for Tokyo. So I decided it would be better to stay inside for the day.

I passed on the Cinnamoroll Cafe and headed upstairs. What to eat? I decided the menu items for Mame-cha looked good.

Except I ended up ordering something else. Their winter special meal. I couldn't pass up a chance to enjoy fried oysters from Hiroshima. 

Mame-cha is an obanzai cuisine restaurant. Obanzai is a traditional style of cooking from Kyoto, a home cooking style. I can say that the food was very good and filling.  

I decided with the weather being bad it would be best just to head back to my hotel and rest. It wasn't all a loss though. On my way back through Shinjuku-Sanchome Station, I picked-up this cute cat cookie. 

And a box of So-be Monaka Hompo sweets. 

I bought a box of Japanese kitty sweets on a previous trip, so I felt the urge to do it again. Cute little guys. That was a big dorayaki in the middle.

 Kitty toes wagashi.

As for the shoes, I bought a new pair of Yosuke ankle belt platforms. I always wanted ankle belt shoes but they are difficult to find in America. They look pretty nice with the new Moi-même-Moitié Candlestick Embroidery OTK Socks.

Moi dix Mois Dis inferno XVII

December 1st and it was time to visit another new music venue. This time it was Veats Shibuya. The challenge was that there were no signs for the venue out on the main roads. So it was easy for people to walk right by it. My reconnaissance the day before was helpful.

 (from Ryux's Twitter)

The band also made it to the venue. Because it was time for the Moi dix Mois Last Year Party. Each year Mana holds a Dis inferno show, known for being a bit more creative and free wheeling than the usual shows.

(from Hayato's Twitter)

Inside, the venue was definitely smaller than SHIBUYA STREAM. There were less goods for sale, but they were doing well with the hoodies and tote bags. I bought these the first night, because the second night was all standing. Even with that, people were really good all through the concert. There was no crushing and one tall guy even moved to the side so he would block less people. I knew I would not be up front but there was still space over to the right of the stage, about half way back. I could see most of the stage.

(from Seth's Twitter)

"Destructionxx" began to play and the band entered the stage. Hayato and Sugiya were dressed in a similar style as the night before. Ryux was wearing his Silent From Me black faux fur coat again. However Seth was wearing a very different outfit.

(from Sugiya's Twitter)

Also wearing a faux fur coat, Seth's outfit was pure "hair band" hard rock. Rhinestone jewelry, big curly hair and a black mesh top underneath that coat. For someone who is always tweeting photos of pastries that he's eating, he is in excellent shape.

(from Mana's Twitter)

Mana again wore Moi-même-Moitié, this time with the ruffled chiffon vest that he's been wearing this year. His choice of make-up this time was a very elegant violet. It was nice to see Mana go with something different like this, it's a great look with the blue and black clothing.

There was definitely a hard rock air about the night's show. The first song "deus ex machina" was followed by "forbidden" and then "Night Breed". They moved into more melodic songs with "Solitude". "Invite to Immorality" opened for "Nocturnal Romance", followed by "L'intélieur dix" and "Lueur Blanche". 

(photo from Seth's Twitter)

We reached the point in the show for Seth's Message from Mana. Seth spoke about future events including Deep Sanctuary VII, the biannual reunion of the founding MALICE MIZER members. He spent a lot of time talking about Yu~ki, who would be coming down from the mountain. I think the recording of drums for the new album was mentioned. Which has now successfully happened.

(photo from Ryux's Twitter)

Seth had long lost his fur coat and Ryux removed his also at some point. Both were wearing black mesh shirts underneath. "Material Death" and "Perish" were followed by "a ghost whispers". If I remember correctly, everyone in the band surrounded Hayato's drums for "Material Death". Fan participation time with "Immortal Madness" had Seth asking everyone to shout in unison about Vampire Yu~ki. Not to be forgotten, Mana walked over to Seth and non-verbally reminded him that Mana was also a vampire. Mana put his hands up near his shoulders and moved them to indicate flying, as if with little vampire wings. Of course after that we all had to shout for Vampire Mana as "Immortal Madness" was continued. Mana indicated he was satisfied with the response. The band followed this with the songs "Dead Scape", "Twilight Flower", and the closing "Ange ~D side holy wings~".

(photo from Hayato's Twitter)

"Angel of Death" by Slayer blasted for Mana's entrance as the band came back for the encore. He wore the Moi-même-Moitié Super Dollfie big t-shirt and spiked wrist bands for his drum performance. The band was in gothic Motley Crue mode. The song choice for this was "Beast side" with Hayato playing support guitar. It was a fun and gallant rendition of the song, with Mana flailing at the cymbals at the end. Giant balloons were released, bouncing as people in the crowd pushed them back up in the air. The last song was "Vizard". If I remember correctly, Mana was playing a white Flying V guitar while battling the giant balloons. (It was either during this or earlier in the show that Mana played this guitar. I lost my notes so I'm going by what I remember). After this, the band was taking their bows. Either at this time or not long before, Mana walked to the other side of the stage and then disappeared. Turns out that Mana fell of the stage. He later tweeted that he was okay, thankfully. As the large balloons popped and the small ones were batted about, Hayato took selfie photos. Mana had reappeared on stage to the cheers of everyone. The show was over and everyone grabbed balloons and headed out.

(photo from Mana's Twitter)

People were still buying goods as they left. For the show Mana chose to have new Moi dix Mois hoodies in black with silver print and black with blue print. He calls them "M Warm" and they definitely are. I wasn't planning on buying much this trip except at the shows. So I will admit to getting one of both versions.

The other new item were these light weight drawstring tote bags. Super good timing since next year, where I live, there will be a fee for bags at stores unless you bring your own. The color choices were black with blue print and navy blue with silver print. I did get both versions and I'm already using them.

I also ended up with a green balloon. Which I deflated at the end of my trip and brought home with me. A little silly but it's a reminder of a very fun set of shows that I finally got to experience. Good memories were made. Thank you Moi dix Mois and Mana.

Moi dix Mois ~Scarlet Sabbath~

I'm not sure where to start with this. So perhaps it would be good to begin with a couple photos for the new venue where the Moi dix Mois ~Scarlet Sabbath~ was going to be held. That was the SHIBUYA STREAM. 

Since it was a little unclear on Google Maps where the place was, I made my way there the day before. Just in case I got lost on the way. So once I made it out of Shibuya Station, I found myself going up escalators. Many escalators.

Thankfully they had a lot of signage inside the vast building where SHIBUYA STREAM is. And in case I wasn't sure, there were video screens of flowing water.

Finally the last escalator. Which on the day of the concert was open for everyone to go up. Something else about this building, it is very open. Lots of windows and air flowing through. It is very different from other venues I've been at in Japan. 

The area outside the hall was really large. Lots of room for the goods table. Along with a flower arrangement from ESP Guitars. Because today was the debut for the new Moi dix Mois guitar strap. 

Up another escalator and into the venue. Which was much smaller than I expected. Six rows of seats and then an area for standing behind those. On stage was the familiar Moi dix Mois banner along with the rose gates and the band's instruments. Personally I did not know what to expect. It was my first time experiencing the end of the year show, but this was actually an added live. I felt rather lucky that the time I decided to attend there were two shows. So I found myself sitting next to a vampire for this Scarlet Sabbath. Who told me my shoes were very elegant.

(from Mana's Moi dix Mois Twitter)

I suppose the best way to describe the band's look as they each entered the stage to the instrumental "En Lumiére" is to show Mana's make-up for the night. Everyone wore black with red accents. Mana wore the Moi-même-Moitié Falling Cross Print Gauze Shirt for a more hard-core look with the red contacts and red and black make-up. The feeling from the band's appearance was this would be a dark night of music. And it was.

The first song was "unmoved" followed by "Sanctum Regnum". Right off the audience was into the music and the band responded in kind. For me, I had two questions. The first was how lead singer Seth would sound after his vocal chord surgery.

(from Seth's Twitter)

The answer to that question came quickly. Seth had no problem handling the range of the Moi dix Mois songs. His voice moved easily from a growl into the higher notes needed for some songs. While he had been singing enka since his surgery, this was his first time singing with Moi dix Mois and I can say he sounded great. A test was the chorus of next song, "Gloire dans le silence" and it was marvelous. 

(from Ryux's Twitter)

That was one of the songs I really wanted to hear, so I was happy Mana chose it. What happened next was a big surprise to me. Because it was the one song I had wanted to hear the most. I kind of have mentioned this on Twitter for a few years now. But I did not expect it. The last time it was played live was in 2016 in Hong Kong. Mana did say there would be songs they had not done in a while, so I was indescribably happy when the opening notes of "Deflower" played. It was amazing to hear live, the sound being much deeper and darker than the recorded version. Along with Ryux's beautiful backing vocals, "Deflower" was perfect. I hope Ryux will get to sing more. I love the choral style songs, and he is great backing Seth's singing. I do wish they did "Deflower" more often, but this time, it felt special. My second question had been answered.

"Invite to Immorality" played and then the band rocked "Nocturnal Romance". The instrumental "A Lapis Night's Dream" flowed into another not played recently song that I had hoped they would play, "Lamentful Miss". In a way, this song has meaning for the current band, being the first single released where drummer Hayato and bassist Sugiya were listed as official band members. A song about a fallen angel, it really is wonderful to hear live. Next up was the new song "A ghost whispers". It's great to know the actual title of the song. I look forward to when this is recorded and everyone can hear it. Because there is a bit of a story behind it, and I think it is also played out in the samples used for it.

(from Hayato's Twitter)

Next up was a bit of fun. It was time for Seth's MC, in which he reads "Message from Mana". There were announcements for future events like the two Mana-sama birthday shows, Deep Sanctuary VII and Mana going to Russia and America for events in 2020. What also happened was Mana came out with two bouquets of red roses for Hayato and Sugiya, for their recent November birthdays. I give them credit for not tearing them apart and throwing the roses everywhere, like someone else does. Following the roses, Seth had us participate in repeating some crazy phrases that Sugiya and Hayato came up with. Besides the two performing an awesome version of "MAD INGRAIN" together with just bass and drums, we were asked to repeat "Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama" and "Haya, Haya, Haya, Haya, Haya-sama" a number of times as part of "Immortal Madness". The audience did really well. Me, I did okay when I wasn't laughing.

(Sugiya and Hayato from Hayato's Twitter)

All members came back to play "Dead Scape" and "Perish". I have to say everything was right on this night. And Mana looked like he was really into playing guitar. Everything sounded like it was going well. And it was time for another new song. Which we now know the actual title is "Lueur Blanche". Once again, it was exquisite in how delicate yet strong this ballad is. And Seth's vocals were superlative. It's going to be a wonderful moment to hear how this ends up sounding once it is recorded. Another great Seth song is "Twilight Flower". Besides how this has turned into a very elegant waltz complimented with his singing, Seth's movements really bring out the drama of this song. 

Back into more hardcore rock, Mana tore into "Immortal Madness" (this is where that audience participation happened). This was followed by "Beast Side" and then "Ange~D side holy wings~", which has become the closing song. The band left the stage and we in the audience began chanting "Moi dix Mois". Slowly each member came out wearing the new M warm Moi dix Mois hoodies. Well not everyone one.

(from Ryux Twitter)

Ryux came out wearing this thick black faux fur coat. And Mana, well he did have the hoodie with him.

(from Mana's Twitter)

Besides having the draped the hoodie on one shoulder, Mana was wearing black bunny ears, much to the crowd's enjoyment.

(from Mana's Twitter)

Mana continued to wear the rabbit ears while the band played their closing number, 

"Je l'aime". Mana threw his final guitar pick much harder than the previous ones. It made it to the fifth row in front of me, where it disappeared. No one could find it. 

(Mana Death Bunny from Mana's Twitter)

While we were all not wanting it to end, there was a feeling of anticipation. Because the next night would be that annual festive night, Dix inferno XVII ~Last Year Party~. And I was pretty happy because of something nice that had happened.

I, like many, had hoped to get a ticket for a seat. I was concerned that standing two nights in a row would not be easy for me. I had not been lucky, I ended up with a standing ticket. I had been checking Twitter when I saw someone offering for sale at face value, one seat ticket. I contacted this lovely lady and everything worked out. I got my ticket at the venue. Even though I ended up paying for two tickets, it was worth it. She and her friend were sitting in the row in front of me, so that was nice.

And she gave me sweets! The cookies were really good. Thank you very much to this lovely lady for helping me out. And thank you to Moi dix Mois and Mana for another wonderful show. Everything went smoothly it seemed, and the music was excellent. And finally getting to hear "Deflower" live, it was amazingly better than I could have ever imagined.