Well, I’ve had a big hide week. Let me share it with you.
*I have uploaded some photos on ImageShack. You can find them at;
http://my.imageshack.us/v_images.phpAs I said in a previous post I visited the LEMONed shop on Saturday night. It was very busy. Unfortunately I had to work on Sunday but I finished relatively early and thought I’d be able to participate in the floral tribute but when I arrived the queue was still amazingly long and they no longer allowed people to join it. I was disappointed but resigned myself to the fact that I’d just have to be an observer.
So, I watched people come and go and eventually, as it got dark, watched them dismantle the display they had in the temple. Someone told me that they were going to let people in to the temple once they had finished disassembling everything but they closed the doors and that didn’t happen.
There is a permanent (small) display at the temple so you can always go there and write notes. It’s the most beautiful temple and I feel so peaceful every time I go there.
On Sunday morning I was up bright and early and headed of to Miura Kaigan to visit hide’s grave. Like last year they had set up a table for writing notes and for prayers. There were several guards but, of course, everybody acted respectfully and was grateful for the opportunity to pay their respects.
As you can imagine, the grave was inundated with flowers. It’s a truly beautiful sight. It’s always beautiful but at this time even more so than usual which is not unexpected.
The local florist arranges hide bouquets and they send you off warmly. I just love going down there. I don’t have words to describe how I feel when I visit hide. It’s kind of a feeling that I “own” and I cherish it. Sorry, I’m rambling…
I then headed back to Tokyo to Studio Coast in Shin Kiba where the Dive to Pink event was taking place. I had a ticket for the 2.30pm slot and, as is the case with all X-related events, had to wait in a long queue. Of course there were people everywhere doing hide cosplay. It’s always interesting…male ones, female ones, tall ones, short ones, long hair hide ones, short hair hide ones, good looking ones, not so good looking ones (sorry, but it’s true ) and so on. I just love it. While waiting we were able to look at hide’s car (the Cadillac “Kujira” …it means “Whale”…I’m sure most of you know that).
On entering the venue we had to buy a drink at the bar. Several of his costumes were on display. They look even better in real life. In the bigger venue space they had a video show plus more costumes, his guitars and a photo gallery. It was pretty cool.
After coming out we had to wait in…yes, you guessed it…another long queue to purchase goods. While waiting I heard some girls talk about a hide musical and that auditions would be taking place sometime. Sorry, I have no details but I did see something mentioned on another website.
Finally, we entered the marquee selling goods. Well, I thought I’d seen everything but there are still MORE hide goods. Someone’s making some serious money here. They had posters (sketch style) that I’d never seen before plus hide tea and coffee, cups and saucers and coffee (and/or tea) pots. It seems to me you can buy anything hide-related. Actually, all I want is a simple black X Japan bag. I’ll have to see what I can do…
The Make A Wish Foundation was also there taking donations.
After exiting the marquee you could then join in karaoke. This was a lot of fun. There were kids singing (one did a great Toshi impersonation) but my favourite was a Toshi look-a-like who looked so much like him and had all the mannerisms too (you know, like putting his hand just above his stomach as Toshi does when he’s belting out a song while bending over). Too cool. (You can see a picture of him at ImageShack – image 5822).
Well, the day was slowly coming to an end but people were still milling around. Then I spotted hide’s brother, Hiroshi. I later got to meet him. I just shook his hand and said thank you. Wow! (You can see a [dark] picture of him at ImageShack – image 5852).
Slowly they asked people to leave as the time had come.
It is so clear how much hide is still loved. May he live in our hearts forever.
Thank you hide chan!