The Sakura of Owl Road

There was a reason I decided to eat in the Azuma area of Ikebukuro. Even though the weather was gloomy, I still wanted to see sakura. So I walked past 威光稲荷堂, Inari Shinto Shrine.

Past the stone with it's little cat image.

Besides cats, this part of Ikebukuro, Minami-Ikebukuro and Zoshigaya, has become a favorite place of mine for seeing sakura.

Because the little Owl Road has beautiful sakura trees that line the way to the shrines and temples there.

Along with the sakura at the temples and shrines.

I stopped at 観静院, Kanjoin or Kansei-in Temple, to pay my respects to Benzaiten. Of course seeing the sakura there was also a part of this.

威光山法明寺, Ikosan Homyoji Temple and it's Sanomon Gate were amazing.

I told myself at the beginning of this trip that I would see these trees in bloom. I think I said that also last year when I was here. Honestly, it is so beautiful and I am glad I did see them.

Even the grey skies could not subdue the beauty of these trees.

Dining at GRIP

I was even more hungry after my long walk through Zoshigaya Cemetery. Since the curry restaurant was closed, I had to find some place else to eat. I remembered there was an Italian restaurant on the Azuma roadway. Sure enough it was still there.

GRIP, a restaurant where they focus on local produce and more. The outdoors bistro seating was nice. It was another adventurous moment in dining, since they do not have English menus. I ordered iced tea and a seasonal pasta. Would I like it?

My pasta arrives. It looks good.

It was pasta in olive oil and chrysanthemum greens. Despite the bits of red chili, it was not spicy, but just right. 

Mixed in were bits of anchovies, which gave a nice saltiness and flavor to the dish. I enjoyed this filling dish. I'd go back to GRIP again.

Deep Sanctuary VI MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary Book Translation

For several years, former band members Mana and Közi have held joint concerts. Every two years their respective bands, Moi dix Mois and ZIZ, would get together and perform. For the third part of the show they would reunite with the third founding band member Yu~ki and perform some of their MALICE MIZER songs.

In 2018, for two days, the three put on very special shows. With the addition of singers, who were former roadies of the band, the MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary Special was created. To commemorate this, a video and book were published. Since the book is no longer available, I decided to attempt to translate the words of the three singers and drummer Sakura written on the pages of the book. So here they are.

MALICE MIZER Memorable Day

Sharing the same time with the members on the same stage

I felt very honored

Next time    From the floor    From the same perspective as all the blood relatives

I will watch the live of MALICE MIZER    Listen to it

I look forward to it

Shuji

Thank you for (allowing me to) participate on the special stage called the 25th anniversary performance.

The excitement of singing an important song is a treasure of a lifetime.

MALICE MIZER was my dream, it was a place for learning.

Of course music, (and) because they showed me the attitude to stick with all things in front of me, now I can say that. I am sincerely grateful.

I will continue to chase the backs of all members.

I will always come to carry the equipment so please call me (lol)

And I'm looking forward to the future of MALICE MIZER as a fan!

KAMIJO

When I was on the side watching MALICE MIZER,
their world view that changed the atmosphere of the venue in an instant,

I loved the sharpness of individuality that no one could match.

I want to be unique with my own band, This thing that I've been particular about is, 

undoubtedly, I think that it is because I have inherited the blood of MALICE MIZER.

Being involved in MALICE MIZER again at Toyosu Pit, carrying the crown together

Setting up on stage was something special in my music career.

And I felt strongly. Even after a long time, they are still the most important band to this scene.

Can we meet again? At that time, I was a roadie but it is okay, so please get involved.

I also want to be part of the sharpness.

Hitomi

In the summer of 2016, Kami contacted me.　

Apparently he went to see Deep Sanctuary V.

(Sakura-san, are you busy in the summer of 2018?)

(I don't know yet in two years. The schedule is open so far)

(3 man, Mana-chan, Kozi, Yu~ki-chan, are doing a lot of fun.)

(Ho)

(Uh... the words I exchanged with the fans 19 years ago was "Let's meet at the next live".)

(Oh, yes it was)

(Deep Sanctuary in 2018 probably marks the 25th anniversary of the formation of MALICE MIZER...)

Kami is superior and very concerned about me, so the language is not always clear.

(I understand what you want to say. Two years later stop working in the sugar cane fields, make sure to get a good rest.)

(Oh, yes)

(Because it is a request of none other than Kami... My body, you can use it as you like.) 

On September 8th and 9th, 2018,
I worked the MALICE MIZER drums with Sakura and Kami.

Sakura

(just a note about Sakura's comments. It is a conversational exchange between him and Kami)

Zoshigaya Cemetery

March 28th and my thoughts were about having Indian curry for lunch. I headed through a mostly empty Ikebukuro Station. This was highly unusual for what is normally one of the busiest train stations in the world. 

 It was the start of Tokyo's stay home policy in trying to protect people from the virus. So many shops were shuttered.

Since I did need to eat and my room did not have anything to cook with, I took the Yurakucho Line to where I had hoped I could get lunch. Once again, lots of room and social distancing on the train.

Unfortunately the restaurant was closed. So I decided to take a walk through a place I had thought about visiting before. 雑司ヶ谷霊園, Zoshigaya Cemetery. 

Established in 1874, the Tokyo Metropolitan government opened Zoshigaya Cemetery as a public cemetery.  

Something notable of the cemetery is the number of Japanese writers, artists and people of historical importance that have been laid to rest here. 

For many walking through a cemetery isn't their idea of a place to go, but during this pandemic time, it was a way to be outside in a spacious area with interesting things to see.

While many of the grave markers are Japanese, there are western style touches here.

 The cemetery is also a place with beautiful flowers.

Including gorgeous sakura flowers. 

Which remind one of the impermanence of life. 

Like Aoyama Cemetery, there are a few western style graves here. 

One noted site is for Catholic nuns of the Society of Sacred Heart in Japan. The graves are for nuns who passed away, during the time from 1916 to 1953.

There was one grave I was interested in seeing. 小泉 八雲,Koizumi Yakumo. Better known to westerners as Lafcadio Hearn, a writer who opened up a lot of Japan to people unable to travel there back in the late 19th century.

I will finish my post with a few photos of the beautiful flowers in and near by the Zoshigaya Cemetery.  

And of course the gorgeous sakura trees.