Mana's Beautiful World is Forever

Mana's Beautiful World is Forever

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

October 25th

 


October 25th, 2004, Moi-même-Moitié presented the release of the photo book "Magnifique". Mana was photographed in France visiting many beautiful historical sites while wearing Moitié elegant gothic outfits.

Just a note as to these posts. Because of the instability of social media sites right now, I decided to post my long running "otd" series to my blog.

Monday, October 23, 2023

October 23rd

 



October 23rd, 1994 MALICE MIZER held their second  anniversary with a performance at Meguro Rock'n'Sound. 

In 2016, Moi dix Mois performed in Hong Kong at the Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre. 

Sunday, October 22, 2023

October 22nd

 


 
October 22nd, 2007, Moi dix Mois performed at Alcatraz in Milan, Italy, as part of their DIXANADU ~ Fated "raison d'être "~ Europe Tour.

Friday, October 20, 2023

October 20th


October 20th, 2007, Mana with Moi dix Mois performed at New backstage in Munich, Germany, while on their DIXANADU ~ Fated "raisond ' être "~ EuropeTour. 

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

October 18th


October 18th, 2007, Moi dix Mois played at Kulturfabrik in Krefeld, Germany as part of their DIXANADU ~ Fated "raisond ' être "~ Europe Tour. Songs played included Metaphysical, exclude, Night Breed, and Vain. 

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Concerto~Aesthetic Bloodline~ by JVM Roses Blood Symphony My Translation


The sound of the bell     Signaled the end of the night
A road wet with night dew     Let's start walking
Even without words     The palm of your hand
If you place over     A melody that resonates painfully

The bad omen of the end pollutes the earth     It shocked even the ancient countries
Honor and pride of the rulers of the round table     Fight for the one you love

Leave you behind     Because can't walk
Clasp it     Pull the reins hard

Ah...Beautiful world is forever      Flowing upon the chest
Ah...Beautiful world is forever     Red drops
Ah...Beautiful world is forever
Each person's decisions and thoughts     Overlapping

Under us     Roses gathering together     Sing with the blood of indulgence
Run around the world     Beyond time     Sound of Roses Blood Symphony

Call your real name     At the castle on the rock
Shallow sleep     Invite to the garden

A gathering of lights     So won't be trapped in this darkness again
Now     Illuminating the future     The brilliance of life

Ah...Beautiful world is forever     A noble oath
Ah...Beautiful world is forever     Raise the sword
Ah...Beautiful world is forever
An unbreakable bond     High to the sky

Under us     Roses gathering together     Sing with the blood of indulgence
Run around the world     Beyond time     Sound of Roses Blood Symphony

Beyond a long history     We draw     Beautiful Concerto
With that beautiful blood     Ah, aesthetic bloodline     Echo forever

(Just my personal English translation of the song. I am sure there are other translations out there)

Friday, September 8, 2023

MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary 25 Questions for Mana

 



And finally, from five years ago, here are the 25 questions for Mana. 

1. What do you think of that many fans still crave MALICE MIZER? 

I am happy to be honest. I often go to overseas events in recent years,  people were excited by the topic of DSVI even locally. This time I have heard many voices "I will go to Japan for the live".

2. Of the songs of MALICE MIZER, what song is the one that has a feeling of honor? 

Is it the first demo tape (Temptation of Widow). Although it is instrumental, the prototype of MALICE MIZER was made. A beautifully sad twin guitar melody. But now when I look back, what a title (smile).

3. Please tell us what you felt was good as MALICE MIZER

Being able to challenge all possibilities that were impossible with other bands. Anyway I was filled with stimulation and had a good experience.

4. What if you dare to give one regret during the activities of MALICE MIZER?

During a live - the silver fastener on the back of the costume burst and flew apart quite dangerously. . . . . It was not regret but an accident, but if you are a girl, and as a girl you are saying "no it is (regretful)".

5. What work remains in your impressions of the MALICE MIZER era other than music activities? 

I am a game hard collector & retrogame specialist, so be serialized in a game magazine seemed like a dream from childhood. I think that it was a good experience to talk with people who were great game creators.

6. Among the many photo shoots you went to during the MALICE MIZER era, which one did you like the most, which site shot is it?

In the early years, I did not have any money so I went to a foreign cemetery (Aoyama) many times, desperately staging death in Europe.

7. Can you tell me now, please tell me a secret of the Malice Mizer activity period.

Actually, I spoke out loud too carelessly several times. Pays de merveilles, on the last day of the tour, I was instigated by a member of staff "Tour-it's the end so don't talk", so I talked with momentum, but now I regret it (smile).

8. Have you ever had any significant changes since your days in MALICE MIZER?

Especially I feel like I have not changed much. . . If I can say, now with Moi dix Mois I play guitar on all the songs! 

9. Conversely please tell me what you haven't changed here at all

Make-up is not different at all. I never have stood on the stage with natural makeup. It seems like the world changes as the age changes, but I do not feel like changing this style!

10. What if you were to talk to yourself during the Malice Mizer era? (looking back)

If I could speak during the early days, what I dreamed of, that I can make a more advanced performance by building a medieval European stage set!

11. Now what are you doing when you are blissful?

When touching nature. Because the majority of work is staggering (a lot) with computers. . . It goes without saying that it is also the time of being able to meet fans as well.

12. What is the most annoying event?

I missed recording the Southern Indian curry (show) that was broadcast on BS.

13. Recently you are addicted, what would you like to recommend to fans, please tell me the items?

I'm from Hiroshima, so how about Lemosco? Make sure to use it as an accent for cooking!

14. Please let me know what work that remained (thought of) in your mind recently? 

Not recently, but the movie "Inception". I got into the deeper layer consciousness in my dream, the dream had a hierarchy. . . . I thought about writing such a scenario.  

15. Recently, please tell us what music you thought was nice

In this Deep Sanctuary VI, I copied and revised MALICE songs and thought again that MALICE songs are good  (self praising !!!)

16. What do you see Közi as? 

Very flexible. Even if I make a strange request "I will do anything!" I think that the point is that he is a rocker in a sense.

17. What do you see Yu~ki as?

His artistry is exceptionally high. He is a man of few words, but he holds his opinions in his mind and thinks carefully before giving accurate remarks. It can be said that he is MALICE MIZER's secret leader.

18. What do you see Kami as?

He was a wonderful hard worker. Anyway, the amount of practice of the drum was amazing! Because he went to a dry river bed and practiced. When he joined, I was a little worried about MALICE's strange time signature, but he was improving himself. It improved so much and Malice's songs became more advanced songs. He always wanted to play for a long time.

19. What do you see Tetsu as?

He's a rocker. I think that he was a very good match because it was MALICE's early band sound. Crazy singing and intricate classical melody were fused into independence.

20. What do you see Gackt as?

Because he was not a rocker, he was beyond the framework of the general art band that MALICE was trying to challenge. I think that there are not many vocalists that say that they want to fly when you first meet them.

21. What do you see Klaha as?

A gentle gentleman. He was truly a jet black noblesse (nobility). Bara no Seidou certainly could not have been completed without him. Once the night of Bara no Seidou that painted the world of perfect darkness had come to an end, we wanted to express more in the sunny new world.

22 What do you see Gaz as?

Anyway he was innocent. Because he joined after saying "The drummer of MALICE is me!" (Smile). He cared about MALICE very much. Since the initial activities including the first live were Gaz's stuff, he is there, so I am very grateful that it is connected to the subsequent MALICE.

23. Please tell us what is the theme of what you want to challenge such things from now on?

I want to let the world know about MALICE MIZER, Moi dix Mois, and Mana, the arts that Japan is proud of.

24. Please tell us the current answer to the proposition that MALICE MIZER had raised? 

It seems like there is time, but it is short. Fate doesn't happen whether you have it or not. MALICE MIZER 25th anniversary. . . . . There are many things in life that I'm sure of, but I feel like it's too early to talk about them now. I want to keep it hidden in my heart until I have time to talk about it again.

25. Finally, what is MALICE MIZER to Mana?

The one that awakened the essence that was sleeping under consciousness.


Thursday, September 7, 2023

MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary 25 Questions for Közi

 



30 years ago, musicians in Japan got together and decided to start a band. Not just any band, but a band that would bring to fans a world of fantasy and imagination. And five years ago they gave those fans a concert of a lifetime. So here are Közi's 25 answers from the pamphlet for that concert.

1. What do you think of that many fans still crave MALICE MIZER? 

I am very pleased.

2. Of the songs of MALICE MIZER, what song is the one that has a feeling of honor? 

Blood and roses of reunion Saikai No Chi To Bara (memories or flashbacks are instantaneously too big too hear so much)

3. Please tell us what you felt was good as MALICE MIZER.

It was something that I could rest in malice and tragedy, still in the middle.

4. What if you dared to give one regret during the activities of MALICE MIZER?

I will not regret it.

5. What work remains in your impressions of the MALICE MIZER era other than music activities? 

Except music activities? Do you talk about water trade?

6. Among the many photo shoots you went to during the MALICE MIZER era, which one did you like the most, which site shot is it?

I thought that the best shot, "Oh, heartless". Shooting was fun every time and I think that a good picture was taken.

7. Can you tell me now, please tell me a secret of the Malice Mizer activity period

Such a thing. Can I say that! Cyuu no.

8. Have you ever had any significant changes since your days in Malice Mizer?

Would you like weight gain and a deeply carved line. . .
(wrinkles)

9. Conversely, please tell me what you haven't changed here at all.

I feel relaxed and quietly drifting, is that okay?

10. What if you were to talk to yoursef during the MALICE MIZER era? (looking back)

All right! It will be liked! Go anywhere!

11. Now what are you doing when you are blissful?

It's a gig! Gig!

12. What is the most annoying event?

I wonder what it was, but I forgot.

13. Recently you are addicted, you would like to recommend to fans, please tell me the items?

Manuka Honey.

14. Please let me know what work that remained (thought of) in your mind recently? 

Scary picture books.

15. Recently, please tell me what music you thought was nice?

New ZIZ-san. The songs of. Super E!

16. What is Mana-sama seen as?

Mana-sama is Mana-chan.

17. What is Yuki seen as? 

Yuki san is Yuki-chan.

18. What is Kami seen as?

Kami-san is Kami.

19. What is Mr. Tetsu seen as ?

Tetsu-san is Tetsu.

20. What is Gackt seen as?

Gackt-san is Gakuto 

21. What is Klaha seen as? 

Klaha san is Kuraha-kun.

22 What is Mr. Gaz seen as?

Tatsuaki (タツアキ)

23. Please tell us what is the theme of what you want to challenge such things from now on?

No way! Just go anywhere, until it disappears.

24. Please tell us the current answer to the proposition that MALICE MIZER had raised? 

Don't say that. (perhaps he didn't want to answer?)

25 Finally, what is MALICE MIZER for?

Things that become blood and become meat and continue staying without thinking within Közi.

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary 25 Questions for Yu~ki

 

 

Five years ago I was able to experience something that I never thought would be possible. A concert of a lifetime. Given to us by three musicians who have put their all into the band that they created, MALICE MIZER. Being able to experience their world was a dream come true. That experience was Deep Sanctuary VI. And now that it is 30 years from when they started that world, I present something from the pamphlet from that concert. 

25 Questions for Yu~ki 

1. What do you think of that many fans still crave MALICE MIZER? 

Honor of honors. 

2. Of the songs of MALICE MIZER, what song is the one that has a feeling of honor? 

A story of malice and tragedy that intersects as many as the number of melodies. (Bara ni Irodora Reta Akui to Higeki no Makuake)

3. Please tell us what you felt was good as MALICE MIZER.

One view of the world.

4. What if you dared to give one regret during the activities of MALICE MIZER?

All the chaos and confusion into the fog of time.

5. What work remains in your impressions of the MALICE MIZER era other than music activities? 

Illness of family members.

6. Among the many photo shoots you went to during the MALICE MIZER era, which one did you like the most, which site shot is it?

Eroticism dyed in fresh blood.

7. Can you tell me now, please tell me a secret of the MALICE MIZER activity period?

Yu~ki in emptyness.

8. Have you ever had any significant changes since your days in MALICE MIZER?

My adaptation to this world.

9. Conversely, please tell me what you haven't changed here at all.

My self-quest.

10. What if you were to talk to yoursef during the MALICE MIZER era? (looking back)

It is an eternal moment.

11. Now what are you doing when you are blissful? 

I'm between delusion and reality.

12. What is the most annoying event?

An act as a justifiable act.

13. Recently you are addicted, you would like to recommend to fans, please tell me the items?

Moonlight baths.

14. Please let me know what work that remained (thought of) in your mind recently? 

Plastic surgery.

15. Recently, please tell us what music you thought was nice.

Heart sound.

16. What do you see Mana as?

Genius.

17. What is Közi seen as?

Que sera sera.

18. What is Kami seen as?

Emotion.

19. What is Tetsu seen as?

Intelligence.

20. What is Gackt seen as?

Belief.

21. What is Klaha seen as? 

Lyrics.

22. What is Gaz seen as?

(He was) active.

23. Please tell us what is the theme of what you want to challenge such things from now on?

Ground of sadness.

24. Please tell us the current answer to the proposition that MALICE MIZER had raised? 

Love ~Labyrinth to regression~ 

25. Finally, what is MALICE MIZER for?

Fate ~The sight I saw someday~


Friday, March 17, 2023

Mana Sweat!! File 1

 


It's Mana's birthday time and so I'm sharing a translation I did from photos of an interview in Vicious 1998 volume 12. It's the first of a series of articles with members of MALICE MIZER. A few things were a little difficult to read, but I did my best. So here is Motorcycle Mana-sama from the past, for your enjoyment.

††††††††††††††††††

Basically masculine in everyday life, it's sketchy.

Starting this month, it's the start of planning MALICE MIZER's personal feature!! 
We will deliver PHOTO & interview with the theme of a hobby that makes you sweat.
The first is the appearance of Sweet Sexy Pretty Angel Mana-sama. Feeling "masculinity" from him, who is a little different from usual, with a motorcycle, my heart throbs a little.

"I'm sitting in the passenger seat of the car, and we are starting to roll.
I thought I was going to die.. This is the biggest cold sweat break in my life"


ーWhat time does Mana-chan break a sweat outside of live performances?

“Yes. Sauna or something…”

- Huh. Do you go often?

"Well, I don't go out very often, but I'm always careful about my body shape because of my job, so I'm always on a diet or something. So, if you sweat, you'll lose weight, right? That's why I go to the sauna. I always pay attention to my body shape, but when I'm on a diet, I go crazy, so I focus on going to the sauna at that time. I only eat one apple a day, and all I can think about is losing weight, so I go to the sauna every day. When I'm on a diet, when I get on the scale and lose even a little bit, I look forward to it, so I obstinately try to lose weight."

-So, do you have a favorite sauna?

``There was a favorite, but it collapsed (laughs)''

-Did it go bankrupt due to the recession?

“Hmm, it was a sauna that no one knew about.”

- How long have you been in the sauna?

"Ah... I really want to lose weight, so I read books all the time (in the sauna), and when I get out, I get on the scale again, and if I don't change much, I go back in, and I repeat that, and in the end, I end up spending 2-3 hours. Do you feel like you are there?”

- Does it feel good to sweat at such times?

``No, it's painful (laughs).

ーCome to think of it, you also run marathons.

"Oh, I run lightly. It doesn't have anything to do with diet.

- Do you like running?

"I don't really like it (laughs)"

ー(laughs) So, is that too painful?

"Yeah. It's painful (laughs)"  Because I'm already desperate. I don't think I'm going to collapse."

- It's a lot of hard work.

“Well, but I was just running on the nearby riverbed, so it wasn't that big of a deal.”

-There are rumors that you run in heels.

"Yeah, yeah. I don't have sneakers. I don't have a T-shirt either...I dress like I usually do. The marathon was, of course, scheduled every morning. 

About a year and a half ago, in the morning, the bells of a place that seemed to be scheduled in my neighborhood rang, and it became a habit to listen to them. Also, I could see Mt. Fuji from the rooftop of my apartment on a clear day, so I was looking forward to seeing the view and hearing the church bells... I used to do healthy things like that a lot for a while, but lately I've been so busy that I can't do it regularly.”

- Oh, I guess so.

“Also, I used to like taking a shower at night and going for a run with my hair wet. Something that felt good. But lately, I've been unable to take such bold actions..."

-Will they find you?

``I don't know where I'm being targeted by the world anymore (LOL). I don't know where people are watching.”

- It's a bit inconvenient.

"It's a little inconvenient"

ーAnd you mentioned that you usually sweat, like dancing in clubs.

"Umm, hey (laughs). You can't touch that (laughs)"

ーSo, moving on to the subject, how about taking a bath? Do you like taking hot baths?

``Hmm, too hot is not good.  Add hot water, add bath salts, and make it dark.”

- Make it dark?

``Basically, the living space has to be dark. The bath has a dark red light, and it has a moody feeling.

- Huh. Then, long bath?

``No, it's not that long. But after getting out of the bath, I don't feel like doing anything anymore.

- Isn't that a long bath? (laughs)

"But I'm longing for a very large bath. Outlook for the bath! (laughs). That's why I want to design a house as soon as possible. I already have a blueprint for a bath in my head. Huh? Dumping (water by hand into the) bath? Dumping is no good (laughs). Hot water will come out of a lion's mouth (laughs).”

ーWell then, I would like you to look back on your past and tell us about your memories related to sweat.

Hmm... Oh! I have cold sweats. I've been in a few accidents, but once when we were driving over a mountain pass, I was sitting in the passenger seat and wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Then, when they couldn't turn a curve on a mountain road and broke through the guardrail, the car spun three or four times, and at that time I felt death. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt, so the car rolled around and all the glass was scattered around. In the end, the car went up while I was lying down, and I didn't get seriously injured."

ーDid you have broken bones?

"No, just scratches. Well, I thought I might die when it was spinning. It was a sight to see, and it felt like I was dreaming when it was spinning. The car was completely destroyed on all sides, but it was midnight, so there was no one on the roadway. So we all managed to escape and start the car, but it was in such a state, we could only get the speed up to about 10 kilometers. The tires were also stuck in a strange way... So, we couldn't help it, so we headed out onto the national highway for the time being. Somehow, a tire fell off (laughs). There were about 4 people in the car, and we all pushed the car (laughs)."

-When did it happen?

“It was a long time ago, when I was in my hometown.”

-I can't believe you didn't wear a seatbelt and got away with only a scratch.

“Yeah. That's why it might have been better to roll around like a ball (laughs). At that time, I was sitting in the passenger seat cross legged. Maybe that's why it was good that I rolled around in that posture (laughs). I rolled naturally like a ball, I'm sure (laughs)"

ーSo, that was the incident that made you sweat the most in your life.

“Yeah. In the case of an accident, that would be my turn. Also, I sometimes go skiing, and the moment I reach the top and think ``Let's go down,'' the slope is about 90 degrees, so I break out in a cold sweat and ask, ``How can I get down from here? I think it's fine (laughs). So, after thinking about it, I roll and fall.”

- (laughs) Are you spinning again?

"Yeah, I really want to go to the top. But I can't do it with my technique, so I regret it after climbing up.”

-Maybe you repeat that every time you go skiing?

"Yes (laughs). Since you are going all the way here, don't you hate going home without knowing the summit? "

~Skiing - does it feel good to sweat a lot?" (laughs). 

"No, sweating in ski clothes doesn't feel so good (laughs)."

-By the way, this time it's a different image than usual. Why did you decide to shoot with a motorcycle?

"Yeah, I like motorcycles. I used to ride them when I was little. Childhood days (laughs). Isn't it nice to ride a motorcycle while cutting through the wind? When I was in Osaka I used to travel a lot on a motorcycle. Unlike a car, you can turn around in a small circle, can't you? A car is the worst going uphill, but a motorcycle can get you out of narrow alleys, right? I loved exploring.”

-Is there a shape of a bike that you are fascinated by?

"Oh, I don't know. I don't really like the American type."

-The BMW classic type used in this shoot has a beautiful form.

"Oh, it's pretty good. I like simplicity in everything. I like the black body. I like everything simple. Something elegant and gothic would be nice. I don't like things that are painted. (some motorcycles have painted images or designs on them) If I have the chance, I'd like to ride a motorcycle again, but wearing a helmet is a bit of a pain. My hair gets messed up. My make-up rubs off if I wear a full face helmet (laughs). That's why, if I'm going to ride, wear no helmet and have perfect make-up, and run with my hair flowing! ”

ーWell, even if you fall down, Mana-san has a spinning technique (laughs).

“That's right! Gothic and cool! Basically, I like cars that are chic.
That's why. Emphasis on silhouette! ”

- You don't like motorcycle gangs, do you?

"(laughs) Ah, first of all, group action is no good (laughs)"

ーHowever, was the photo you took with the bike fresh for you?

“Yeah. I did it in a very masculine way for this shoot."

-Eh? Hobbies, for example?

``Yeah, I have a lot of that part. I want to express that there is a pretty feminine image in the world... I tend to be very rough around the edges, and although I'm very particular about gothic things, other than that, I'm pretty rough with regards to everyday life in Japan.”

ー(laughs) What is normal Japanese life like?

``(laughs) No, I don't know how to do laundry (laughs). It is like throwing it into the washing machine with a bang, throwing detergent into the clothing, and not folding it even after it's dried (laughs). Or, I can't keep things tidy. But when it comes to the gothic decoration of the room, I can't allow even a 1 mm gap (laughs). But the inside of the dresser looks like a mess (laughs)"

- Huh. Are you rough, compared to other members?

"Because I'm the only type 0 (laughs). "Haven't all the photos been properly filed in the album?" I put them all in a box. I think you're right."

ーSo, this time, I wonder if this is a page that reveals a little-known masculine side.

“Hmm, I haven't had the chance to put that out before, so this time it feels like I got the chance.”

†††††††††††††††


The photo shoot location was at a place in Tokyo that is now called the Cruise Club