Kami (musician)
Encyclopedia
, better known by his stage name Kami, was a Japanese
musician best known as drummer
for the rock band Malice Mizer
. He died on June 21, 1999 in his sleep of a subarachnoid hemorrhage
at the age of 26.
, Japan
on February 1, 1973. As a child in elementary school, he was very much interested in traditional Japanese brush writing and using a soroban
(abacus
), therefore studying these fondly. He also had an affection for tennis and a love for music began to develop within him, often sitting alone in the music room after school and listening to records for hours on end. His first interest in playing his own tunes was in his fifth year at school when he began to practice on a drum kit
. Kami left and didn't return to drumming until early high school
. Early influences of Kami included many of the British New Wave
bands, including Culture Club
and Duran Duran
. Between this time, Kami devoted his after-school hours to practicing his favorite hobby, tennis, as he was fond of exercise.
Kami's fondness for drumming began to evolve, and a personal drum kit became a necessity. Thus, he took up a part time job and subsequently saved up the necessary money. Realizing that he could not achieve a large amount of success in his current high school band after graduation, Kami decided to go to Tokyo
. Upon leaving his previous group and moving, Kami spent a brief time in a punk band before taking a liking to the visual kei
style. As a result, he joined an up-and-coming musical group called Kneuklid Romance. Performing mainly live shows, Kami soon attracted the attention of Yu~ki, bassist
from the band Malice Mizer
. Due to Malice Mizer's previous drummer, Gaz, leaving (who would shortly thereafter join Kneuklid Romance), the band was very keen on introducing Kami to their style of music. He was reluctant at first although a phone call from one of their guitarists, Mana
, persuaded him. Therefore, Kami began to play unofficially for the band over six months as a support player. However, soon after, the other members of Malice Mizer
agreed upon recruiting him as a full member of the group. Upon Kami's recruitment, Malice Mizer released their debut album, Memoire
, his first inclusion on a publicly released album.
killed Kami in his sleep at the age of just 26 years old; his body was discovered four days later & his funeral was held the same day with only his band members, Mana
, Közi
, and Yu~ki attending as well as his parents and a few close friends. Gackt
, who had just launched his solo career, was on tour at the time and did not hear about the death of his close friend until about a week later.
In the months before his death Kami had taken to composing music, including "Unmei no Deai" and "Mori no Naka no Tenshi". These would later be released on the Malice Mizer
EP, Shinwa
, which is dedicated to Kami. He also left the incomplete song, "Bara no Souretsu", which was released on their "Beast of Blood" single. Malice Mizer's "Saikai no Chi to Bara" was written by Mana
for Kami after his death.
As for the other members of Malice Mizer, Gackt
wrote two songs in memory of Kami that were both released on his Mars album: "Emu ~For My Dear~" and "U+K". Közi
and Yu~ki co-wrote Közi's solo single, "Memento," and dedicated it to Kami. Mana has also stated that one of the songs in his Moi dix Mois
album, Nocturnal Opera
, is dedicated to him.
due to his constant jumping around and childish nature. Despite this, in interviews he was often very timid and hardly talked much. He once stated that he was very quiet and trusting, joking that it was easy to cheat him.
One of his most popular trademarks was his hair, which had grown so long that he could actually sit on it. However, in 1998 he cut it off and changed his hairstyle. He constantly claimed that this was because his hair always got in the way while he was drumming.
Kami was a person of many hobbies and interests, his main being tennis (which he had played since his early childhood), as well as buying lottery tickets when bored; he also enjoyed cleaning. He also was fond of collecting perfumes and shampoos, a hobby that was shared by fellow Malice Mizer
member, Yu~ki, which often led to them trading and recommending various products to each other.
Kami had an interest in the Sengoku period
army general, Takeda Shingen
. He was known to attend the "Takeda Shingen Festival" every year. Alongside this love of the army general was his interest in the ritualistic suicide, seppuku
. Often Kami would have photos taken of himself mimicking the act in costume.
Kami held a fascination for the imagery and symbolism of the butterfly. He had at least three tattoos on his arm, all of which were butterflies. He was also known to have bought anything he saw that had to do with butterflies. He also appeared with butterfly wings in Malice Mizer
's music video for "Au Revoir". This is also the reason their EP, Shinwa
, has a butterfly on its cover.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
musician best known as drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
for the rock band Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer was a visual kei rock band from Japan. They were active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery", extracted from "nothing but a being of malice and misery" — their reply to the question "what is human?"...
. He died on June 21, 1999 in his sleep of a subarachnoid hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage , or subarachnoid haemorrhage in British English, is bleeding into the subarachnoid space—the area between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater surrounding the brain...
at the age of 26.
Early life
Kami was born in the city of IbarakiIbaraki, Ibaraki
is a town located in Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki, Japan.The town was set to merge with Mito, Ibaraki on December 8, 2007, but following the election of a new mayor in April 2007, these plans were abandoned....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on February 1, 1973. As a child in elementary school, he was very much interested in traditional Japanese brush writing and using a soroban
Soroban
The is an abacus developed in Japan. It is derived from the Chinese suanpan, imported from China via Korea to Japan around 1600. Like the suanpan, the soroban is still used today, despite the proliferation of practical and affordable pocket electronic calculators....
(abacus
Abacus
The abacus, also called a counting frame, is a calculating tool used primarily in parts of Asia for performing arithmetic processes. Today, abaci are often constructed as a bamboo frame with beads sliding on wires, but originally they were beans or stones moved in grooves in sand or on tablets of...
), therefore studying these fondly. He also had an affection for tennis and a love for music began to develop within him, often sitting alone in the music room after school and listening to records for hours on end. His first interest in playing his own tunes was in his fifth year at school when he began to practice on a drum kit
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. Kami left and didn't return to drumming until early high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
. Early influences of Kami included many of the British New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
bands, including Culture Club
Culture Club
Culture Club are a British rock band who were part of the 1980s New Romantic movement. The original band consisted of Boy George , Mikey Craig , Roy Hay and Jon Moss...
and Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
. Between this time, Kami devoted his after-school hours to practicing his favorite hobby, tennis, as he was fond of exercise.
Music career
At the beginning of his high school years, Kami was invited into a friend's band. Initially, his interest was in being a guitarist; after practicing for a short time, he decided to return to the drums.Kami's fondness for drumming began to evolve, and a personal drum kit became a necessity. Thus, he took up a part time job and subsequently saved up the necessary money. Realizing that he could not achieve a large amount of success in his current high school band after graduation, Kami decided to go to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. Upon leaving his previous group and moving, Kami spent a brief time in a punk band before taking a liking to the visual kei
Visual Kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that visual kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of Japanese rock, with its...
style. As a result, he joined an up-and-coming musical group called Kneuklid Romance. Performing mainly live shows, Kami soon attracted the attention of Yu~ki, bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
from the band Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer was a visual kei rock band from Japan. They were active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery", extracted from "nothing but a being of malice and misery" — their reply to the question "what is human?"...
. Due to Malice Mizer's previous drummer, Gaz, leaving (who would shortly thereafter join Kneuklid Romance), the band was very keen on introducing Kami to their style of music. He was reluctant at first although a phone call from one of their guitarists, Mana
Mana (musician)
Mana is a Japanese musician and fashion designer, best known for his role as leader and guitarist of the visual kei band Malice Mizer. His clothing label, Moi-même-Moitié, helped popularize Japan's Gothic Lolita fashion movement. Mana is currently working on his solo project Moi dix...
, persuaded him. Therefore, Kami began to play unofficially for the band over six months as a support player. However, soon after, the other members of Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer was a visual kei rock band from Japan. They were active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery", extracted from "nothing but a being of malice and misery" — their reply to the question "what is human?"...
agreed upon recruiting him as a full member of the group. Upon Kami's recruitment, Malice Mizer released their debut album, Memoire
Memoire
-Personnel:* Tetsu – vocals, classic guitar on track 4* Mana – synth guitar, synth keyboard on track 1* Közi – synth guitar, synth keyboard on track 6* Yu~ki – bass* Kami – drums, percussion...
, his first inclusion on a publicly released album.
Death
On June 21, 1999 a subarachnoid hemorrhageSubarachnoid hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage , or subarachnoid haemorrhage in British English, is bleeding into the subarachnoid space—the area between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater surrounding the brain...
killed Kami in his sleep at the age of just 26 years old; his body was discovered four days later & his funeral was held the same day with only his band members, Mana
Mana (musician)
Mana is a Japanese musician and fashion designer, best known for his role as leader and guitarist of the visual kei band Malice Mizer. His clothing label, Moi-même-Moitié, helped popularize Japan's Gothic Lolita fashion movement. Mana is currently working on his solo project Moi dix...
, Közi
Közi
Közi is a Japanese musician who plays guitar, piano, keyboard and synthesizer. Közi is best known as guitarist for the visual kei rock band Malice Mizer. After the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2001, he joined the industrial rock act Eve of Destiny and also started a solo career...
, and Yu~ki attending as well as his parents and a few close friends. Gackt
Gackt
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, voice actor and author. Usually referred to by his mononymous stage name, he is known for his career as a solo artist and as the former vocalist for the defunct visual kei rock band Malice Mizer....
, who had just launched his solo career, was on tour at the time and did not hear about the death of his close friend until about a week later.
In the months before his death Kami had taken to composing music, including "Unmei no Deai" and "Mori no Naka no Tenshi". These would later be released on the Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer was a visual kei rock band from Japan. They were active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery", extracted from "nothing but a being of malice and misery" — their reply to the question "what is human?"...
EP, Shinwa
Shinwa
is an EP released by Malice Mizer on February 1, 2000. It is dedicated to the band's former drummer Kami, who died in 1999. The music for tracks two and three were based on his compositions and arranged by the band.-Track listing:-Notes:...
, which is dedicated to Kami. He also left the incomplete song, "Bara no Souretsu", which was released on their "Beast of Blood" single. Malice Mizer's "Saikai no Chi to Bara" was written by Mana
Mana (musician)
Mana is a Japanese musician and fashion designer, best known for his role as leader and guitarist of the visual kei band Malice Mizer. His clothing label, Moi-même-Moitié, helped popularize Japan's Gothic Lolita fashion movement. Mana is currently working on his solo project Moi dix...
for Kami after his death.
As for the other members of Malice Mizer, Gackt
Gackt
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, voice actor and author. Usually referred to by his mononymous stage name, he is known for his career as a solo artist and as the former vocalist for the defunct visual kei rock band Malice Mizer....
wrote two songs in memory of Kami that were both released on his Mars album: "Emu ~For My Dear~" and "U+K". Közi
Közi
Közi is a Japanese musician who plays guitar, piano, keyboard and synthesizer. Közi is best known as guitarist for the visual kei rock band Malice Mizer. After the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2001, he joined the industrial rock act Eve of Destiny and also started a solo career...
and Yu~ki co-wrote Közi's solo single, "Memento," and dedicated it to Kami. Mana has also stated that one of the songs in his Moi dix Mois
Moi dix Mois
Moi dix Mois is a musical project founded by Japanese musician and fashion designer Mana in 2002 after his previous band, Malice Mizer, paused activities.- History :...
album, Nocturnal Opera
Nocturnal Opera
Nocturnal Opera is an album released by Moi dix Mois on July 20, 2004. It was also released in Europe as a 2CD digipack, with the other CD containing a collection of the singles released by Moi dix Mois...
, is dedicated to him.
Personal life
Kami was often regarded as the silly and over-the-top person of the group, nicknamed "Monkey Man" by KöziKözi
Közi is a Japanese musician who plays guitar, piano, keyboard and synthesizer. Közi is best known as guitarist for the visual kei rock band Malice Mizer. After the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2001, he joined the industrial rock act Eve of Destiny and also started a solo career...
due to his constant jumping around and childish nature. Despite this, in interviews he was often very timid and hardly talked much. He once stated that he was very quiet and trusting, joking that it was easy to cheat him.
One of his most popular trademarks was his hair, which had grown so long that he could actually sit on it. However, in 1998 he cut it off and changed his hairstyle. He constantly claimed that this was because his hair always got in the way while he was drumming.
Kami was a person of many hobbies and interests, his main being tennis (which he had played since his early childhood), as well as buying lottery tickets when bored; he also enjoyed cleaning. He also was fond of collecting perfumes and shampoos, a hobby that was shared by fellow Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer was a visual kei rock band from Japan. They were active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery", extracted from "nothing but a being of malice and misery" — their reply to the question "what is human?"...
member, Yu~ki, which often led to them trading and recommending various products to each other.
Kami had an interest in the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
army general, Takeda Shingen
Takeda Shingen
, of Kai Province, was a preeminent daimyo in feudal Japan with exceptional military prestige in the late stage of the Sengoku period.-Name:Shingen was called "Tarō" or "Katsuchiyo" during his childhood...
. He was known to attend the "Takeda Shingen Festival" every year. Alongside this love of the army general was his interest in the ritualistic suicide, seppuku
Seppuku
is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Seppuku was originally reserved only for samurai. Part of the samurai bushido honor code, seppuku was either used voluntarily by samurai to die with honor rather than fall into the hands of their enemies , or as a form of capital punishment...
. Often Kami would have photos taken of himself mimicking the act in costume.
Kami held a fascination for the imagery and symbolism of the butterfly. He had at least three tattoos on his arm, all of which were butterflies. He was also known to have bought anything he saw that had to do with butterflies. He also appeared with butterfly wings in Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer was a visual kei rock band from Japan. They were active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery", extracted from "nothing but a being of malice and misery" — their reply to the question "what is human?"...
's music video for "Au Revoir". This is also the reason their EP, Shinwa
Shinwa
is an EP released by Malice Mizer on February 1, 2000. It is dedicated to the band's former drummer Kami, who died in 1999. The music for tracks two and three were based on his compositions and arranged by the band.-Track listing:-Notes:...
, has a butterfly on its cover.
Band history
- 3PMayonnaise (3Pマヨネーズ) – 1989–1991
- Kneuklid Romance – September 1992 – March 1993
- Malice MizerMalice MizerMalice Mizer was a visual kei rock band from Japan. They were active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery", extracted from "nothing but a being of malice and misery" — their reply to the question "what is human?"...
– March 17, 1993 – June 21, 1999