Yoshiki, leader of Japan’s most popular rock band X Japan, is auctioning his signature favorite “crystal” piano to benefit victims of his home country’s recent earthquake and tsunami.
The custom-made, plexi-glass “Yoshiki Signature Piano by Kawai” on which Yoshiki’s name is engraved, was used when the band played their legendary shows at the Tokyo Dome.
Yoshki, who lives in Los Angeles and who directed a 3D music video last fall, felt the earthquake tremors while in a Tokyo recording studio working on X Japan’s first North American album, and was shocked by the large-scale damage across Japan.
“It took awhile to locate my mother but she is, thankfully, OK,” said Yoshiki. “I’ve spoken with [band members] Toshi, Pata, Sugizo and Heath, and they are all safe as well. I am praying for the people here who are still trying to locate their family and friends.”
On the heels of the cancellation of next week’s World Figure Skating championship in Tokyo, X Japan has decided to postpone the release of their first U.S. single, “Jade,” that had been scheduled to be released this week, so that they may focus their time and energies on helpingwith the recovery.
In addition to raising money by auctioning his “crystal “piano,Yoshiki will collect donations for the Japanese disaster relief through theYoshiki Foundation America, his California non-profit, public benefit corporation with tax-exempt status as a section 501(c)(www.yoshikifoundation.com).
The Yoshiki Foundationhas already donated to American organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, the Grammy Foundation, and St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.
omg his prized piano? it must be big for him to get rid of it and donate it all to charity which is very cool of him.
I’ve been a fan of X Japan for a few years and was saddened about the events and pushing back Jade which I’ve been anticipating but love him for it.