Newsmaker, February 2006, Chapter 1

Translated by: Sweiled

1. Please DO NOT take my translations and use them for whatever reason, without my permission.
2. Please DO NOT publish my translations elsewhere without my permission. Please kindly link back if you want, but DO NOT copy and paste them.

[number] = more explanation of the sentence below
xxx = more detailed explanations
[xxx] = what I felt a certain part of the sentence meant
(xxx) = other meanings of the word or literal translations or missing word/words not specifically mentioned. For e.g. The fans screamed when (Gackt and his band members) entered the stadium! Read it like you will a normal sentence.
=xxx= = real brackets used in the interview


A man who puts his life on the line to continue the fight, even to the extent of declaring, “I’ll retire if I can’t accomplish this.” And thus a raging 2005 passes. Now he already has his eyes fixed on the year 2006, no, even much further than that. What’s truly spurring him on? It’s the mission he has placed on himself; as well as the dream that must be accomplished. What is in his mind and what is he aiming for now? This cover article will discuss (lit.draw near, press) Gackt’s real intention.


Gackt CHAPTER.1
Look back on 2005
Long interview


In 2005, Gackt challenged himself more than he usually does, and also took on new challenges outside. [1] In this article I would like to focus on the keywords “GIFT”, ASIA”, and “Fighting”.
[1] I believe he means moving outside, out of Japan.

GIFT

2005 began with the release of “ありったけの愛で” (arittake no ai de) single. This opening was a continuation of the “GIFT” theme from the previous year; and under the same theme, the “Love Letter” album, which you could consider the compilation of the theme, was released. And with that ends the releases under that theme, but……

"This one single word, “省く”, can sum up all of one’s life"

I: Along with the release of the “Love Letter” album, a special event limited to couples was held, and a ski resort was reserved for the fan club trip where a Winter Sports Meet was held. As for the annual overseas fan club trip, you went to Sydney for the first time, didn’t you? The opening of the year 2005 sees a continuation of GIFTs for fans from Gackt-san.
G: It started from me saying, “I’ve started snowboarding,” while I was doing a tour two years ago. I said during one of the live MC, “Let’s go play snowboarding together in a fan club event.” Since I said it during the MC, I would be deemed a liar if I didn’t follow through. I searched (for a place) immediately after that, but there is no way we can book the whole slope on weekends, right? Because it takes a lot of money to even book half a day.


I: Ooh
G: I thought, “It’s impossible!” But there was someone I became friends with by chance, and he is the owner of a ski resort. I told him, “Actually, I would like to do something like this…” and I persuaded him to help me make it happen somehow. Well, it was a relief. First and foremost, I was glad I could keep my promise.


I: And what about going to Sydney?
G: That’s our annual overseas fan club trip. The first and second year was in Hawaii; third year was Vegas; and the fourth year this time was Sydney.


I: Have you been to Sydney before?
G: No, it was my first (time). It is a great place. So basically, it will be places I’ve never been to. Halfway through I started thinking of going to places which everyone won’t go to normally. It was Hawaii at first, but I think everybody can go there themselves. From now on, I think I would like to visit less popular places one by one.


I: Like the North Pole or South Pole?
G: Or the Amazon. (laughs) Hawaii is better in that case. They know Japanese language and the security is good. But that’s easy for the organizers; it’s not up to me. Everybody tends to do things the easy way. [1] I think I found a good word recently. This one single word can sum up all of one’s life. It is the word “省く”. This word “省” can sum up one’s entire life.
[1] I believe what he meant was that the organizers/sponsors just want to find easy and convenient places, maybe because it’s easier to handle procedures and things like that. And also for security reasons of course. So the problem doesn’t lie with him.


I: How so?
G: The first (meaning) is to reflect (省みる kaerimiru). But this is only fifty percent of it. It becomes one hundred percent in your life if you are capable of the act of discarding (省く habuku)[1]. In short, it is the way we look back, reflect and introspect. Then we will feel various emotions within ourselves. And sometimes we need to cast those aside, and courage is needed to do that. [2] If we do not have the courage, we will not be able to cast it away. Because we fear it; because there is the fear of losing. Being able to do that –to discard is the first time the word (represents) one’s life. It’s a great word. I think that is really how I managed to reach this point now.
[1] 省く habuku: to omit; to eliminate; to curtail; to economize.
[2] When we reflect on our actions, or even our life in general, we’ll discover and feel something. Negative emotions, perhaps. We know it isn’t right, and even so, we can’t bear to put it aside. We cling on to it. So we need great courage to let it go and release ourselves from the restraints we have placed on ourselves.


I: Indeed, the act of casting something away takes a lot of courage.
G: It’s not because it is painful that we cast it aside. I think that’ll be more like running away. It’s not that it’s troublesome or anything like that, but to discard it under one’s own determination. The act of casting something away is indeed dreaded (lit. hated), isn’t it? There is also a fear of hurting someone through it. Courage is needed. One needs to be decisive. Well, I don’t think there are many who can understand this meaning. When I saw that word, I thought it had a deep (meaning). I was a little touched.


I: Where did you read it from?
G: Something like “Wise Sayings of the day”.


I: Could it be something like different aphorisms you read every day?
G: Yes, yes, something like that.


I: And finally, this theme known as the GIFT. How did you feel about ending this theme?
G: With a feeling of gratitude, and also to “follow closely now” because we will be moving even faster from this point.

ASIA

It can be said that the year 2005 for Gackt is a year which focused on Asia, Korea in particular. Along with the release of the “Love Letter” album, he also went to Korea to do promotions. He was invited to the biggest music event held in the country, “m,net/Km MUSIC VIDEO FESTIVAL”, at the end of the year 2004, and was awarded the Best Asia Rock Artist. The Korean version of “12月のLove song” [12 gatsu no Love song] was recorded that year as a coupling of the single which was released annually. [1] And for the year 2005, he re-recorded the collaboration version in the Korean language with popular Korean artist, Isoo, vocalist of MC the MAX. This song is currently released through Gackt’s first – and only – net distribution.
[1] He released the original Japanese version in December 2001, and since then he has released the English, Chinese and Korean version at the end of each year. Normally the singles comes with a revised Japanese version, the version in other language, and the instrumental version.

"What I can do is to further strengthen the relationship between Asia through the influence of music culture"

I: 2005 was a year which focused on Asia, in particular Korea.
G: That’s right. But well, it’s not that I’m only looking at Korea alone, because I plan to move around the whole of Asia: Taiwan, China, Singapore, as well as Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. We are currently planning my activities as a vocalist in Asia.


I: When you say “vocalist in Asia”, was it something you realized as you were making music?
G: It was when I was 20 years old, that was when I came to the realization that I’m Asian.


I: And what brought that about?
G: I don’t know what exactly it was. I am Okinawan and am extremely proud of that. When someone asks, “Are you Japanese,” I would reply that I’m Okinawan. But when I came out to Asia, I realized that this is not right. Based on Japan’s position in Asia, Japanese very much think that other Asian countries are beneath them, right? Yet here we are, so near to each other. Perhaps, if we ask amongst the Japanese about “overseas”, most would definitely think of America first rather than China, Vietnam or Malaysia, etc. We are close mentally. We are all Asians. I believe the economy centers around Asia as well. And Japan’s economy is already declining in Asia. Though Japan has been on the top of Asia till now, Asian countries are now starting to be independent from Japan, and that is one of the reasons for this decline. Even so, there are still a lot of people in Japan who live in the old “syndrome”, as if the economy of Asia still depends on them to survive.


I: We think too highly of ourselves.
G: But it doesn’t work that way anymore. If we don’t pace ourselves with the Asian countries, Japan itself won’t last. We look at Asia as one whole entity and we come into contact with (each other) in this huge framework called Asia economy. In short, if we don’t come to terms with each other, (none of us) will survive. That’s the present state. It is a fact that the power of America is growing too large currently. The strength to fight that more as best as we can, as well as an influential voice is necessary for Asia. But not through force, mind you. For that purpose, it is important that Japan, China and Korea step up side by side as one economy. But Japan still thinks too highly of herself and fails to understand that. I think it is pertinent that we understand our current state. While Japanese are thinking over it, other Asian countries are already moving ahead first.


I: Korea, for one, is growing fast.
G: They are growing rapidly. And we are the only ones who aren’t aware of that. Other countries have felt the danger and started to act on it.


I: As for that, I think Gackt-san senses that danger precisely because you really felt the atmosphere in other Asian countries. For example, you went to Korea quite a few times already, right?
G: I did. Recently I’ve been meeting politicians from China, Korea and Taiwan often.


I: What kind of conversations did you have?
G: The reason I’m making music, the reason I’m doing them overseas, etc., and in between there are talks about sponsors and things like that. Mostly those kinds of conversations. First we start from “I’m not coming here to do promotions.” I said that the influence of culture is necessary right now to unite Asia. So I would like them to lend me their strength.


I: Well then, it’s not simply because you want to do a live, but in a deeper sense, you are advancing towards Asia with a mission in mind.
G: I do think about that. A lot. I do it with that in mind because I won’t be able to move on if I don’t. If I go there simply to do a live, it will only be a matter of bringing the instruments and the band members over, and putting the stage together there. What I plan to do is completely different from that. I’m going there to show them the world view that we are looking at. Our world view is the message. I have no interest in promotions; I’m doing this only because I feel it as a mission of sorts, that I’m meant to do something to bridge Asia.


I: Did you also start becoming aware of this mission when you were 20 years old?
G: No, it’s in the recent five years that I started thinking this way. Ten years ago, those were still the times when I was concerned about whether my CD will sell or not.


I: Eh! Gackt-san?
G: There were such times. That’s because I won’t be able to continue if my CDs don’t sell; because we can’t make a living (otherwise). But I realized in these seven, eight years that we can still earn our income through something besides music. It’s really easy to see.


I: Bwahahaha! So frank
G: In this past seven, eight years, I began to understand that we can still earn money even if we don’t play our music in order to make a living. I saw that we can still, surprisingly, earn an income. And so, I realized that it is not necessary at all to play music just to make a living. If I do, I would have to write popular music, and I’m not interested in doing that. Doing that would only bring conflicts eventually. (lit. conflicts, complications, trouble, discord)


I: Were there times when Gackt-san yourself experienced such conflicts?
G: There were. Around seven to eight years ago.


I: Hooo, I’m a little surprised.
G: I thought to myself that living through nothing but music makes you dependent on it. I think it was seven to eight years ago, close to nine years ago. A group of my close friends, who were in bands, were rapidly falling out of the music scene and quitting music, and life became difficult. All these things happened before my eyes. It was such a time.


I: I see, I see
G: At that time I thought, “I see, everybody is frightened.” About not being able to make a living. We musicians give a strong impression of making lots of money, right? But in one lifetime, the period of time when we are popular (lit. respected) is amazingly short. The amount of money isn’t really that great in proportion to our lifespan. But musicians are, generally, really foolish. That is why when we receive large amounts of money, we think that this will last forever and spend it frivolously. And the interesting thing about humans is that even though we’ll be happy when our standard of living goes up, we will never drop it. Even if we can’t sell (our music) anymore, we will not lower our standards. We suffer, are terrified of discords and worry about it dropping. That is what I saw happening with my own eyes and the first time I realized that this is what it meant by depending on music to make a living. But that isn’t… very good at all. I decided that I mustn’t be that way. And I look again at what “music means to me”. To me, music is (a way) to convey our message, philosophy, will; and to fulfill what I mentioned earlier on, missions and duties. I concluded then that music shouldn’t be all about earning a living or (feeding) our families.


I: Music is separate from a way to make a living.
G: Yes. And then when I was thinking of how to make a living, it came to me. “Indeed, I can earn my income by doing other jobs.” And I thought that if I set up a few different companies and make profits from there, music will not be my income anymore. In that case, I can use music to realize my dreams and to use it as a tool to unite Asia; I can devote myself to (creating) a home to help everyone move forward. (lit. push people’s back) I am a complete brand.


I: Brand?
G: Yes. (However,) if you think of the brand as something to make a profit from, it will become worthless at once. What the power of brand refers to is really the power of image. That is completely different from profits. I will do something else unrelated to me (lit. other than “me”) to earn the profits. “I” am a complete brand. That is why it is okay even if we get red numbers (from concerts). The people who take part in this feel that it doesn’t matter as long as the brand lives on. So the tour this time will not be the scale of that of a “hall tour”, let me say that clearly.


I: Not just this time, it’s the same way for each of your concerts.
G: How (scary) the red numbers are. When artists who are planning concerts come to watch mine, they will ask, “How much did you spend!?” I wonder if they aren’t trying to create such a stage as well. But they won’t be able to, because they are planning to make profits out of it. So we can invest in (such concerts) because we look at making profits separately. You won’t be able to do it if you keep thinking of makings tons of profits. That is why we can come up with such crazy things. I tell them to not get that wrong. Same goes for going to Asia which I mentioned earlier on, I’m not going there because I want to sell my CDs, but because I can do something after using this brand called “me”.


I: How can you use this brand called Gackt in Asia?
G: What I can do is to further strengthen the relationship between Asia through the influence of music culture. To make it strong like it has never been before. My dream is to unite Asian citizens. I think that is what I’m meant to do.

FIGHT

After “Love letter”, the story revolving around “MOON” was restarted at the end of the GIFT theme. Three singles were released followed by the album, “DIABOLOS”, making it the second album for the year 2005. The concert that started along with the release of the album was the biggest national tour ever and Gackt held his first Tokyo Dome live as the concert final. Year 2005 for Gackt can be said as (a year of) fighting grand battles.

"Only the ones who think of moving up along with me need follow"

I: You released two albums; held the largest national tour to date; and had your first Dome performance. When we were doing the keyword interview earlier on, (page.29), you said, “I’ll retire if I cannot accomplish this.” I think the year 2005 was truly a year of fighting.
G: I see myself as having missions and duties that I have to accomplish in Asia, so if I can’t do even this, I won’t be able to accomplish those, right? That is what I think. I don’t use the word “retire” lightly; I do it knowing in my mind that I can clear it. And I would like my staff to think that way too. That is why I said that I would also like to determine the staff’s [will or ability] during the tour this time. In the end, it’s not like everybody moved along with me when I cleared something. [1] “Although I can do it by myself to this extent, I can’t go beyond that.” There are a lot of people like that, right? That isn’t something bad. For instance, being able to think that they don’t have the ability to carry on any longer also takes courage. And we’ve ascertained their [will or ability]. [2] If we don’t, it’ll be difficult for them because we’ll be pursuing more things from now. Stop if it becomes too difficult and painful. I don’t want to become such a companion [who would force others to continue] either. Only the ones who think of moving up along with me need follow. Really, I just don’t want to think badly of my companions.
[1] It’s like when he did something successfully, not everyone made that progress along with him. As you move along to a higher level, some people get left behind or can’t catch up.
[2] He didn’t specify what it was he was testing the staff on… but I believe you can’t follow something/one either because you don’t want to, or you just don’t have the ability to.


I: We aimed even higher and year 2005 was for determining how much of those (goals) we can achieve for ourselves. It was a year of fighting and determining our limit. (lit. maximum)
G: I hope everyone can see it that way.

Original text by: Sachie Tojo

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