In a word: “Cool!”

Wikipedia states: “He has garnered global attention for his unique 'slap technique,' where he plays the electric guitar with his fingers instead of a pick, and has successfully completed four world tours in over 30 countries. His achievements have earned him the nickname 'Samurai Guitarist.'”

While his reputation as a guitarist is clearly high, what truly surprised me was his singing. His voice, with its unique charm, and his singing style itself were incredibly cool. Perhaps it's because the lyrics are in English, but he doesn't sound Japanese at all. He's transcendent yet relaxed, with a groove like a foreign musician… Hmm, I'm not sure how to describe it. Well, in a word, it’s simply “Cool!”

Listening to his music ignites my motivation!

And then, watching the PV, I was even more astonished! Not just the singing, but MIYAVI's appearance and presence while singing, his performance that transcends being Japanese, was so incredibly cool! It wasn't choreography, but rather an inner passion driving him.

His performance is so captivating that you can't take your eyes off him. It seems I'm not the only one who feels this way (though I apologize, given he has fans worldwide). The other day, when I asked the stylist and photographer if they knew MIYAVI, they immediately replied, “Of course, we know him! He’s so cool.” From then on, the three of us got caught up in a lively discussion about MIYAVI, saying things like, “Listening to his music really pumps me up,” and “I wish I could play guitar and sing like that.” We ended up spending quite some time engrossed in his YouTube videos, completely forgetting about our photoshoot! It’s rare to find a Japanese musician who appeals so strongly to both men and women of all ages.

This phenomenon is apparently the same overseas. Watching the documentary DVD of his world tour, you see girls and boys from various countries ecstatically cheering while watching him on stage. And remarkably, they all sing along in Japanese during the chorus of the Japanese lyrics. He has stated, “I believe my role is to unite people through music, transcending borders, nationalities, and cultural differences,” and he is truly living up to that promise. As for me, listening to his music (and watching his videos) fills me with a surge of motivation, making me think, “Alright!” Perhaps MIYAVI's unique characteristic as a musician is that he goes beyond simply having “good songs.” From my perspective as a new fan, I feel he transcends the categories of guitarist or musician and belongs to the genre of artist. What do you think?

Actually, what impressed me most was his English proficiency.

He was the vocalist in a visual kei band when he was younger (and he seemed to be popular overseas even then). Watching his music videos from that era on YouTube, his appearance, singing, guitar playing, and performance were on a completely different level than they are now. This means his evolution has been extraordinary. While most people undergo significant changes in their thinking and appearance in their twenties, it seems he was aiming for the global stage even from that time, which explains the remarkable degree of his growth. It’s truly admirable that he has pursued and is now achieving the goal of aiming for the world stage.

It’s a minor detail, but in the documentary DVD of his world tour, a yoga mat is always laid out on the floor of his dressing room. I assume he does stretches before going on stage. “That must be why his movements are so fluid,” I thought, finding myself deeply impressed. I am also moved by his earnest approach.

And actually, what impressed me most was his English. On the radio program I mentioned, he said, “I couldn’t speak English at all until about 8 years ago,” which made me want to exclaim, “No way!” because he speaks so fluently now. Apparently, he went to Los Angeles for three months when he was around 24 or 25, but it’s unlikely he became this proficient in such a short time. It must be the result of his consistent and sincere study to approach his goals. He converses in English with his wife, who is from Hawaii, which I believe is also a major factor in his improvement.

Overseas, his acting role in the film 'Unbroken,' directed by Angelina Jolie, is set to be released around Christmas. MIYAVI is someone we should definitely keep an eye on.

…This time, it has turned into something of a promotional piece for him. However, this series features things that inspire me or that I am putting into practice, so I believe it stays true to that theme. After all, inspired by his music, I resolved to “tackle everything with sincerity to evolve and achieve results!” To ensure I don't forget this resolution, I hope MIYAVI continues to evolve and remains a source of inspiration for everyone. (Or perhaps, relying on someone else like this is the problem in the first place?!)

I will be holding a lecture on Saturday, October 11th!

Based on my book, “Otona no Onna wa, Kōshite Kagayaku” (How Adult Women Shine), published by KK Best Sellers in May of this year, I will be holding a lecture on Saturday, October 11th, titled “Let’s Live Radiantly!” My theory is that accumulating “feelings of happiness” is crucial for shining, and I plan to lecture on specific methods for achieving this, such as through physical health, diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits, as well as on mindset and ways of thinking. I would be delighted if you could attend!!

Saturday, October 11th, 15:30–17:00 Theme: “Let’s Live Radiantly – Creating Adult Beauty” Michiko Fujiwara

Inquiries: Asahi Culture Center Yokohama
Tel. 045-453-1122
Inquiry Hours: 9:30–19:00 (Closed Sundays and holidays)