Protected: TeamAyu blog. 10/9/2011. “To everyone,”
10 Saturday Sep 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, TeamAyu blog
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10 Saturday Sep 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, TeamAyu blog
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09 Friday Sep 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, Magazine Translations
inCredits to zashimi.com and Luna62@AHS for sharing!
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LOVE AND HOPE: ayumi hamasaki
We are always connected
A drastic haircut after the disaster. Her nationwide tour was completely simple, reaching out with the power of music. With her entire heart riding on music, ayu handed us “peace of mind”, “strength to stand up again”, and “power to progress”. In that place, her smile blooms like a flower, her tears falling like rain to wash away sorrow. For ayu, to love is to sing. And her songs will ignite the light of hope in her listener’s heart.
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At that time, all of us, including the fans who came to watch my concert were called “indiscreet”, so I think that it made them feel even more lost. That’s why, I wanted to tell them that “we will always be here, unchanging”
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Quote: “As long as one person needs my song, I may be able to save that someone”
It happened on 25 March. 2 weeks after the earthquake disaster, ayu sang 「Life」 on Music Station. She had just cut her hair short, and had minimal make-up on. Dressed in a white T-shirt and overalls, she did not have any shoes on her feet. Standing there, as if that was normal, as if that was how she was supposed to be. Those who understand pain and love will become stronger and gentler. And 「you」 were the one who made me realize that—
These words were penned down by ayu 4 years ago, but seemed to have been born in that moment in 2011, resonating like a prayer. Up until then, people has been desolated and hurt, but the song shone a ray of light into their hearts.
“I decided to perform in an instant, but I only made that decision at the very last minute. That was because I still did not know what was the right thing to do… Honestly, right after the disaster, my mind was a complete blank. I keenly felt my inability to do anything, and was totally crushed. However, at that time, when I sang live together with the band members, it helped to wake up the power of music within me. I’m not making music alone. Everyone has been making music together with me all this while. Though I can do nothing but sing, as long as I sing with courage, and as long as one person needs my song, I may be able to save that someone. If that’s the case, then I’ll sing. That was my breakthrough then. I felt like I could give the power of music to others, instead of myself.”
The carefully-prepared concert content from before the disaster was also totally replaced. Planning for the concert, named 「HOTEL Love songs」 began right after New Year’s, and rehearsals also started in earnest. This concert was made to be a thoroughly blitzy entertainment show, right down to the costumes, lights and stage sets.
“However, after the disaster, I could not envision the show anymore. I know I needed to convey my vision to the band and dancers, and I had such an image in mind, but it totally disappeared. Really, I totally couldn’t recall it… It was the first time I’ve ever had that kind of experience.”
But, with just one performance on Music Station, ayu was revived. The point then was to just deliver the music which was resonating in her mind.
The blitzy sets, the lights, the special effects, even the costumes were all changed. There was nothing left, except the dancers’ supple bodies, the band’s instruments, ayu’s lyrics, and a voice to sing them as song. A person can only do so much, but when everyone comes together under the art that is music, surely something can be done. That was what she believed.
“Without any accessories and costumes, I decided to lay myself bare in front of my 10,000 audience. I mean, at that time, everyone was left with nothing. I just wanted to make do with that, making the most of what we have. The dancers can dance, the band can make music, and I can sing. It’s really simple, but people may get back courage and energy by watching that, right? I just really believed in the power of music then.”
From MAY, a concert named 「POWER of MUSIC」 began. At that time, she strongly believed that “Before I became an entertainer, I was a singer”. With an increase in the number of songs in the setlist, she had less time to rest, and to ensure that her voice would last till the end, she underwent vocal training. The first thing ayu wanted to convey through her lives was the idea of “peace of mind”.
“At that time, everyone still had qualms about the idea of enjoyment, thinking “Is it ok for me to go to the concert and enjoy myself?”. At that time, all of us, including the fans who came to watch my concert were called “indiscreet”, so I think that it made them feel even more lost. That’s why, I wanted to tell them that “we will always be here, unchanging”. For those who had been having trouble sleeping at night, I wished for them to come to the concert and scream lots, laugh lots and cry lots, so that their stricken heart would be released and they could go home and sleep soundly. That was for the 1st chapter of the tour. The 2nd chapter’s message was “Let’s stand up!”. I wanted to tell everyone: “Don’t sacrifice enjoyment for sorrow”. Recently, we entered the 3rd chapter at Yoyogi, with a feeling of “Let’s progress!” Summer is supposed to be a season for excitement, right? That’s why, I wanted to say that “summer is here as usual!” So for this tour, the setlist kept changing to fit with each chapter.”
She also performed many old songs. Miraculously, no matter whether ayu’s lyrics were singing about love, pain, courage or hope, they all resonated within the audience’s heart, right here, right now. The songs didn’t just bring back memories of the time when the audience first heard it, they also possessed new power that jolted the listener’s emotions. That is probably because ayu’s self-penned lyrics often match up to the realities of life. That’s why, no matter what song it was, it became rock.
Right after the disaster, ayu hid away her empty heart and continued to tweet. In response to a fan’s question “Are you overseas?”, she replied that “everything I treasure is here. If I leave them all and escape, I may be able to save myself, but where’s the happiness in that?”. With just that short tweet, she helped lots of people remember the things which they themselves treasured.
“Since the disaster, I began to really treasure Japan. When I saw my own country get hurt, I thought about this. “If Japan were to disappear, and I had to go live somewhere else, what should I do?” Just thinking about that made me so afraid. At the beginning of the year, I stayed in LA for awhile, and the disaster struck just when I came back, but I was glad that I was here when it happened. If I had still been in LA and read about the disaster on the news, I probably would have collapsed. There are so many things I want to do in Japan, and so many of my loved ones are here. In the past, I thought that I wanted to live apart from everyone else as much as I could help it, but when I recently received tweets from old acquaintances, we were able to click, and it’s wonderful since we were also able to meet up!!”
Mini-album 『FIVE』 is filled with songs which had arisen since that time, and the jacket photo is taken by photographer Leslie Kee. He was also another acquaintance that she managed to meet again because of Twitter.
“From there, we talked about “What can we do together at such a time?” and Leslie came up with 「LOVE&HOPE」. The disaster had returned us to the basics of “how we should be” once again. I realize that I can still feel my ties to everything. That’s why, I want to use music and my love for Japan to say that we are always connected.”
Quote: “Don’t sacrifice enjoyment for sorrow”
Quote on facing page: “Since the disaster, I began to really treasure Japan.”
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Ayu’s Deji Deji Diary Vol.133 October
Off-shots from 3 video clips off NEW MINI ALBUM 『FIVE』 released 31 August revealed!!
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09 Friday Sep 2011
Posted ayumi hamasaki, TeamAyu blog
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09 Friday Sep 2011
Posted ayu's Twitter, ayumi hamasaki
infickto: Just met @ayu_19980408! =]
ayu_19980408: Xoxo♡
LOVEppears: Thank you for signing my iPod!
ayu_19980408: Sorry I didnt have much time to talk with u guys. Thank u for coming to c me:))
Groteskou: Just met @ayu_19980408 and got an autograph! Thank you so much 🙂 So gorgeous.
ayu_19980408: So happy to have met u guys(^_−)−☆
ayu_19980408: Long time no see, long hair.
ayu_19980408: Did the last cut for shooting today, and though it poured and all of us got wet, everyone had SUPER HAPPY SMILE☆ and created lots of wonderful things (*^^*)v Good job ♪
nootak: AYU Good job today!! ♡ You looked soooo great! C U tomorrow!
ayu_19980408: Thx♡Send me some today’s pics!!Wanna c!!!!! C u tmrw♥
ayu_19980408: NYC, please be sunny!!!
lesliekeesuper: You’ll going to love them! I’m screaming!
nootak: Just saw!! OMG♡
ayu_19980408: I’m screaming about 2hours!!!!!!!
08 Thursday Sep 2011
Posted ayu's Twitter, ayumi hamasaki
in
ayu_19980408: What should I eat for breakfast on a rainy NYC morning……
RefixnarcisM: Tomorrow starts the New York fashion week. Will you be there Ayu?
ayu_19980408: Omgsh!! I didnt know that!!!So exiting!!!!!
Taiki_JP: That’s right 😀 Everyone of us Japanese models, including myself, are working hard at auditions in NY right now (*^^*)
timwellard: Good luck TAIKI!!!
ayu_19980408: I see~ Good luck to all Japanese ☆ It’ll be great if you guys are picked for the shows!!!!!!
ayu_19980408: It’s pouring in NY now. Of course, photoshoots are postponed. Hurriedly washed my face, put on my trench, and am heading out now ♪
atommystarstar: Don’t catch a cold. How about shoes?
ayu_19980408: Not losing out to the rain with my Jimmy Choo stilettos.
Fujiko_world: But if you wear heels all the time, you’ll get sores and hurt your feet ((; ´༎ຶД༎ຶ`) Is there any point in that?
ayu_19980408: My mood’s the point.
ayum1ckey: ayu-chan always wears heels. Have you ever gotten the heel stuck in a small gutter before? (^^)
ayu_19980408: Actually, it fell into the escalator gap just now, but I pulled it out just in time. Saaaaafe!!
meeguuuuuuuuuuu: ayuuuuuuu– I got a colddddd (;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)
ayu_19980408: Hurry, take some Vitamin C (;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)
ayu_19980408: While taking shelter from the rain, I was reading messages from TA when crossroad came up on my iPod shuffle. Managed not to cry.
ayu_19980408: Oh that’s not my hotel!!! Please don’t misunderstanding n Please don’t disturb to other customers. Thank u for understanding☆
ayu_19980408: ※The hotel shown in the photo I just uploaded is not the hotel I’m staying at. I was walking along the road when the rain suddenly got heavier, so I went there to take shelter. Thank you for understanding ☆
ayu_19980408: The scenery we will see from now on and the scenery which we have imagined in our dreams. How far will they differ from each other? There are surely times when we wonder about that. That time when I stood at the beginning of the crossroads, I wondered if the path I chose was the right one. What would be at the other end…
ayu_19980408: I wonder if she can truly smile? Can I truly smile?
ayu_19980408: Let us move on. Even so, we can continue to move on. Because we still have hearts that can believe in something (*^^*)
08 Thursday Sep 2011
Posted ayu news, ayumi hamasaki
inAyu’s discography can now be purchased through your PC, via either iTunes or mu-mo!
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/jp/artist/id73951471
mu-mo: http://music.mu-mo.net/DispDetailArtist.php?id=%E6%B5%9C%E5%B4%8E%E3%81%82%E3%82%86%E3%81%BF
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In order to commemorate the release of 『FIVE』, Recochoku is also holding a limited campaign!
★Chaku-uta Full at half price
20 of Hamasaki Ayumi’s famous songs available at half price for a limited period!
★Everyone’s ranking
Everyone gets to vote for their favourite among Hamasaki Ayumi’s famous songs in 3 different polls!
★Recochoku Package limited to Smart Phones
Summer songs and other upbeat live songs will be sold in 3 differently-themed packages, limited only to Smart Phones!
QR Codes
07 Wednesday Sep 2011
Posted ayu news, ayumi hamasaki
inOriginal Article and Photos from 21CN.com here.
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Hamasaki Ayumi goes to meet fans in singlet and shorts, wound on exposed arm resembles teeth marks
2 nights ago, Japanese Pop Queen Hamasaki Ayumi did fan service for her lucky fans when she turned up in singlet and shorts, revealing her waist as well as a strange teeth mark-like wound on her left arm! After dinner, Hamasaki stayed out to party till late, and concluded her 3-day stay in Hong Kong yesterday with a flight to the US!
When Hamasaki arrived on Saturday, about 200 fans turned up at the airport to welcome her. 2 days prior, she abruptly changed plans and prolonged her stay in HK. At 7:45pm that night, Hamasaki left the hotel with many staff members and rumoured boyfriend Shu-ya, satisfying fans who had been waiting for hours.
Staff wields fan to cool her down
Hamasaki, who had been dressing in a sexy manner throughout the trip, continued the trend with a singlet and low shorts, revealing her tummy and waist, as well as a tiny portion of the tattoo on her lower back we glimpsed on the jacket of new album 《FIVE》. She was extremely responsive and friendly, walking up to the fans to sign autographs and take photos. Meanwhile, her staff wielded handheld fans to keep her cool, but Hamasaki’s chest and back were still covered in sweat. In addition, a large wound which looked like teeth marks could be seen on her arm. Shu-ya was by her side the entire time, talking and joking with the fans.
After satisfying the fans, Hamasaki boarded a 7-seater car and headed to Causeway Bay for dinner, and only returned to the hotel late at night. Early yesterday morning, Hamasaki and her staff left the hotel for the airport, where she made a last-minute decision to fly to NY instead of back home. It is believed that she is going to meet up with her husband.
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Gallery (click for larger images)
07 Wednesday Sep 2011
Posted ayu's Twitter, ayumi hamasaki
inayu_19980408: Safely in NY now, after a 16-hour flight, said to be the longest in the world. From JFK to Manhattan roll roll roll~
MY_ALL1982: Work in NY? (^-^)
ayu_19980408: Yep, filming fest with Leslie ☆
ayu_19980408: Whee~… Back to mossball-mode for a little bit
ayu_19980408: Up ↑
ayu_19980408: Mossball in good mood ↑
ayu_19980408: I’m back.
ayu_19980408: In the usual room, settling in.
ayu_19980408: Picked this room because I want this view.
hiro19870930: Nice to have a usual room (*^^*) Does the room have an ayu smell!??
ayu_19980408: Yep~ Because I have a fragrance fetish~ ♪ No matter where I go, I’ll bring candles to give the room my own familiar scent (*^^*)
bz2099: 【Oricon】 Hamasaki Ayumi’s 18th album at No.1. Congratsssssssss!! http://t.co/OWvxn2D
ayu_19980408: Thank you!! I’m so glad, because I really really believe in this album!! (>_<) Please continue to support 「FIVE」!!!!!!
ayu_19980408: NYC always makes me sentimental…….Don’t know why…..maybe too beautiful especially this season isn’t it???
bjxayu1002: this is ur last night in hong kong news. they say ur very nice.
ayu_19980408: Already miss u guys…
J3104J: Is the Birkin bag a present from someone!?
ayu_19980408: From Mika-san of the Hunky Noguchi Corporation :)) The NY streets, restaurants, hotel rooms and everywhere else hold memories for Mama and I, so I brought this bag along. I’m sentimental over it.
fickto: Ayu, I’m sure a lot of NY fans would love to meet you! =) I would 😀
ayu_19980408: Cool!!! Come to c me n Leslie:)))
as_Manami: Stay with me? (´・ω・`)
ayu_19980408: And I’ll repeat this phrase to TA ♡ That’s why I wore pink during A3DII in Hong Kong (*^^*)
kero_ayu: Are you still holding onto our hands? (´・ω・)σ゙
ayu_19980408: The sky, this hand, this bracelet, everything is connected (*^^*)
rikuhaku1022: ayu~! FIVE is totally out of stock, there seems to be no more even in the factories! Awesome!!
ayu_19980408: That’s great, but it’s still inexcusable (>_<) Kome~!!!!!
rice20000: Sorry! A-factory is now increasing production, so I think it’ll be fine!
ayu_19980408: I see! Thanks for waiting!!
ayu_19980408: TA is updated now ☆
ICETSE: AYU so hot hk newspaper today
ayu_19980408: LOL
ayu_19980408: It’s 6:30am in NY now. Just what kind of day will today be? ☆
maki_sweetblack: another hk newspaper writing how hot and sexy u r! seems all newspaper focus on the same thing!LOL sexy!!
ayu_19980408: LOL
TA0413: ayu-chin! You’ve ranked No.1 for most number of performances on MSta for female artists ♪(*^^*)
ayu_19980408: Age m(_ _)m
risa_19980408: You’re also No.1 for most appearances on the cover of S Cawa, with 28 times ♡ Kyaaaa
ayu_19980408: Ah! S Cawa is out today!! My comic dialogue with big sis Tsuriko is a must-read. (laugh)
07 Wednesday Sep 2011
Posted ayu news, ayumi hamasaki
inOriginal Article and Photo from 163.com here.
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Hamasaki Ayumi visits HK and interacts with fans, rumoured boyfriend accompanying her everywhere
Hamasaki Ayumi, who reached HK last Saturday, initially planned to leave the country the following day, but changed her plans at the last minute. Last night, around 10 fans waited outside the hotel to greet their idol, but Hamasaki stayed hidden in her room. At 7:45pm, she finally emerged, accompanied by many staff members as well as rumoured boyfriend Shu-ya.
Wearing a sleeveless midriff-baring top plus hipster shorts, Hamasaki immediately spotted the waiting fans and walked over to sign autographs and take photos. Some female fans also took photos with Shu-ya. During the autograph session, Hamasaki was sweating from the heat, and the staff members immediately brought out a fan to help cool her down.
After 15 minutes, Hamasaki, Shu-ya and others boarded a 7-seater car bound for Causeway Bay to have dinner, and only returned to the hotel late at night. At 9am on the 5th, Hamasaki revealed on Twitter that she was already at the airport, and would be flying off to New York. Ditching her initial plan to return to Japan, she probably changed her schedule so she could meet up with her husband.
07 Wednesday Sep 2011
Posted ayu news, ayumi hamasaki
inOriginal Article and Photo from sina.com.cn here.
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Hamasaki Ayumi in HK to promote new movie, appearing brazenly with rumoured boyfriend
Following news from Hong Kong media, Japan’s Pop Queen Hamasaki Ayumi reached Hong Kong Airport at 1:30pm yesterday. She is here to promote her 2nd 3D concert movie. When Hamasaki, who is already married, appeared on the arm of former rumoured boyfriend dancer Shu-ya, the near 200 fans present erupted into chaos. Brazenly holding onto Shu-ya with one arm, Hamasaki shook hands with fans for nearly 15 minutes before leaving.
That day, Hamasaki spent nearly 2 hours within the private area of the airport changing her clothes and make-up. She emerged wearing a low-cut long skirt which revealed her cleavage, stunning both the media and fans. The already-married Hamasaki held onto the arm of former rumoured boyfriend dancer Shu-ya the entire time, and shook hands with fans with her free hand, displaying her friendly demeanor. In the midst of 200 fans and 30 bodyguards, Hamasaki also tried to help fans who had been pushed down, but was too surrounded to come to their aid. Some fans lost their shoes, bodyguards lost their hats and lights, and a cameraman was even manhandled by a bodyguard. Hamasaki managed to emerge from this chaos only after 15 minutes.
Hamasaki then changed into a low-cut, short dress for the movie premiere showing. Once again holding onto Shu-ya, she was totally unafraid of invoking jealousy in her foreign husband. First, she introduced herself in Cantonese, then conducted the rest of the session in English. She said she was glad to be back in HK, and would love to explore, but since she could only stay 1 night, she could not do as she wished. She also pointed out the difficulties in making this movie, but proudly stated that she had made new history. She added that, without the fans’ support, she would not have succeeded. Next, she shared her motto “Seize the day”, because life is short, and she hoped her fans would treasure each day. On the other hand, Shu-ya was all smiles and jokes, teasing Hamasaki for being too fierce and a crybaby, but very serious with her work and that she is an inspiration to him. After that, the two took a group shot with the audience, then left hand-in-hand. That night, Hamasaki travelled to Causeway Bay to attend the “Love & Hope + FIVE” photo exhibition hosted by good friend Leslie Kee.