Kishidan

Kishidan
氣志團
Kishidan; 氣志團
Origin	Kisarazu, Chiba Japan
Genres	J-pop, pop rock, pop punk, comedy rock
Years active	1997–present
Labels	Tinstar (until 2001); EMI Japan (2002 to 2008); 影別苦須虎津苦須 (Avex Trax) (since 2009)
Members	Show; Hikaru; Tommy; Ranma; Matsu; Yukki;
Website	www.kishidan.com

Kishidan (氣志團) is a Japanese rock band. They have a retro image, wearing Japanese school uniforms in the style of bōsōzoku. The lead singer, Sho Ayanokoji (often styled as "Show Ayanocozey"), was DJ Ozma, until he retired in December 2008. Kishidan announced a "comeback", after a three-year break, on January 27, 2009. The band had never officially split up, but had been taking a break while Show and Hikaru were working on the DJ Ozma side project. Their song, Omae Dattanda released on November 10, 2009,^[1] was used for the 11th ending theme song for Naruto Shippuden. They are signed to Avex Trax (影別苦須虎津苦須 sub-label) and are managed by Sony Music Artists. Their song, Warera Omou, Yue ni Warera Ari, is used for the opening theme song for Kamen Rider Ghost, released on December 9, 2015

Members

Sho Ayanokoji (綾小路翔, Ayanokōji Shō, Show) — Vocals, Dragon Voice, Emcee and Guitar; born June 24, 1979
Hikaru Saotome (早乙女光, Saotome Hikaru, Hikaru) — Dance and Scream; born January 24
Hitomi Saionji (西園寺瞳, Saionji Hitomi, Tommy) — Guitar; born October 23
Hoshi Grandmarnier (星グランマニエ, Hoshi Guranmanie, Ranma) — Guitar; born March 1. Joined the group in late 1998.
Shouchikubai Shiratori (白鳥松竹梅, Shiratori Shōchikubai, Matsu) — Bass guitar; born March 17. Joined the group January 1999.

Currently Suspended

Yukinojoe Shiratori (白鳥雪之丞, Shiratori Yukinojō, Yukki) — Drums; born May 24. On February 9, 2013 it was announced via Twitter that Yukki was taking time off to be treated for dystonia. In March 2014 the band's management stated that he would continue to be on an indefinite leave of absence.

Stage personas

Their various uniforms, modeled after the short and long-coat bōsōzoku-preferred versions of old Japanese gakuran (boys' school uniforms), their matching bōsōzoku uniforms (the kind modeled on those worn by kamikaze pilots)—everything is done with a touch of humor and a nostalgic fondness for the gangs and values of days not-long gone by. Since the band started touring again in 2009, they have started wearing different styles of gakuran, as well as outfits from Tokyo-based fashion group, Saturday Nite.

The group's lyrics are predominantly about motorcycles, being with your gang, conflicts with school, and adolescent love. Though Kishidan has something of a comic approach to their presentation and performances, their songs are often sincere and about issues that are generally important to young people.

Kishidan's hit songs "One Night Carnival" and "Zoku" were featured in Nintendo's Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, and Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan 2, respectively, which are games about ouendan (cheer squads). The song "One Night Carnival" (a cover version) is even used for a level that was inspired by one of Kishidan's live performances. Coincidentally, the characters wear long gakuran coats and dance like Kishidan. The dancing style is based on actual ouendan cheering routines, and long gakuran coats are often worn by ouendan cheer teams. It is possible that Kishidan's lively and powerful dance routines were inspired by the tradition of ouendan cheering, a subject that is unique to Japanese culture.

Controversies

A February 2011 appearance on MTV Japan's Mega Vector program was heavily criticized by the Simon Wiesenthal Center after the band appeared in costumes resembling Nazi SS uniforms. The band's agency, Sony Music Artists, issued a statement of apology, noting that the band members "deeply regretted" their attire and that the clothing "was not meant to carry any ideological meaning whatsoever."^[2] Avex Group, the band's current record label, also sent an apology through its homepage.^[3]

In regards to the costume worn by Kishidan on MTV Network Japan’s program, “Megavector”, although it was not meant to carry any ideological meaning whatsoever, we deeply regret and apologize for the distress it has caused Simon Wiesenthal Center and all concerned. Members of Kishidan also deeply regret and apologize to you in this matter. We have duly received the words of advice from Simon Wiesenthal Center and take them very seriously. Kishidan will never again use this costume and it will be disposed of immediately. We will not broadcast, transmit, or distribute the video recording of Kishidan's performance with the said costume, and the recording will be disposed of immediately. The companies and artist Kishidan sincerely apologize for the insensitive action.

—Kimikazu Harada and Akira Takahashi, representing Sony Music Artists Inc.; and Shintaro Higuchi, representing Avex Group Holdings Inc.^[3]

Live show

Kishidan embraces the theatrics of rock music in their live performance, and make extensive use of pop dancing and theatrics. Members of the band will sometimes pretend to perish mid-concert in battle with rival school gangs. Kishidan is also known to parody current popular Japanese songs, such as Matsudaira Ken's "Matsuken Samba II", and Nakashima Mika's "Glamorous Sky" from the film adaptation of Nana.

Use of ateji

Since transferring to Avex, the band started to use ateji to promote their singles. In every promotional video, the band uses the ateji character for their Avex Trax sub-label, 影別苦須虎津苦須 (which is pronounced the same as the main label (eibekkusu torakkusu) in the Japanese language).