Noge Cho

Hi everyone

The Ins and Outs out of Itachi School of English

Hi

Train, Train, will I see you again?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYK7bEo1Z4M

Auntie The Temple Cat

Furrowed brow, feeling low, and with Yuji in Manchester, and Natalie having left, I felt like talking.

Fox is a good kid, but not a great listener. Taka would only advise me to take up a martial art, so I waiting for the storm to die down, and I called The Temple Cat. He said he was busy, in Enoshima, cleaning his temple, but invited me along.

When I arrived, he was racing about, on all fours, polishing the wooden temple floor. It's a lovely temple, in a great location, with a long, and mystical history. It lies on a hillside, overlooking the enoshima strait. Frther up the hillside, the views over the bay are wonderful, and both a pagoda (rare, in the Kamakura area) and a stupa (even rarer) are perched. A perfect place, for the mood I was in, and, back down in the rustic, yet stately temple hall, I watched, admiringly, as The Temple Cat slid along, with dusters attached to his hands.

"Cleaning is a form of contemplation, and prayer, on the road to enlightenment, Des" he exclaimed. "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. Want to try?" He threw me a cloth, and I joined in, half heartedly.

He stopped, and stood there, watching me. "something on your mind, Des?"

I sighed. "Yeah. I broke up, with Natalie. I'm not sure why I feel so blue. It's not like it's been much fun, recently anyway. I could have taken her to the Hawaii Hilton, and she'd still have had a face like a broken pisspot.... I suppose I'm just not very good at letting go."

"Attachment. It's a barrier, on the way. You must let go."

"You're right, T.C. I'll try."

"Good. Losing heart, over a lost loved one is illusion. Love can not be sustain, forever. Nothing is permanent."

"Maybe not" I said, getting into polishing a hand rail. "But it'd be nice if it had at least some durability."

TC then got REALLY heavily philosophical, on me, telling me the story of Queen Ubbari, whose husband, the King could not even let go of her, after she died. Literally. Some wise Buddhist monk have to prise the King's fingers off her decomposing body, and teach him to let go.

When he finally finished his sermon, he stood there, leaning on his broom, beaming at me.

"Yeah, cheers for that, Temple Cat. If the priest training doesn't work out, you can try agony aunt! Lets hope the priest training works out!" I snorted.

"Learn to accept what is uncomfortable to hear, Des" he continued.

"Listen, i'm not training to be a buddhist priest, mate. I'm just looking for a quiet life, with no complications, and some regular rumpy pumpy." I protested.

"Aaah, maybe the lumpy pumpy is where the troubles begin?" he said, quizically.

"I'm sorry I asked your advice, now".

"Don't be sorry, Des. Sorrow is a sign of unnecessary attachm..."

"Will you shu... is there a bus stop around here?" I moaned, waving dismissively, as I walked away.

"Bus will not lead you on the path to enlightment. Must be walked." he shouted, after me.

"Yeah, I'm walking..." I shouted back, and headed back towards town.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUBXeM8LFac

Typhoon Melau

Wow


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8296121.stm


And, from Chick Young, of BBC Sport:

"But what I have witnessed here is a ferocious typhoon, blowing 120mph, which threatens to huff and puff Japan further east into the Pacific. On the day Scotland eventually arrived, there had already been 90 flights cancelled out of Japanese airports.

Melor is the first typhoon to hit the mainland here in two years and it was another stark reminder that you don't mess with Mother Nature.

The wind whipped up waves the height of hills and trucks were swatted over in the gusts, while the floods broke up roads and bridges like tablet."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8296620.stm

Oh, Natalie....

After Fox picked me up, in the Mini, we stopped off, at Shomyo ji Buddhist temple. In the drizzle, I contemplated the.... the unknowable, the mysterious, yet fundamentally heart focussed and spiritual quest, that my life is.

And then I went to Rockza strip club

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMtOExC1l40&feature=related

Hakkei Haiku2

Oh, Natalie...

I wandered solemnly, around Hakkeijima today....

The dolphins reminded me that I let Natalie down, and I should have taken care to never FLIPPER out.

The surf coaster reminded me of the ROLLERCOASTER that is love...

The Octopus ride reminded me, that Octopii have EIGHT legs, and Natalie has GR-EIGHT legs.

The Mississippi steamboat reminded Des that he's gonna MISS HIS HIPPY chick girl...

In the end, I called Fox, who came and picked me up, in Yuji's Mini. Yuji's in England now, so in a week, my best mate, and my special girl are gone.

Hakkei Haiku

This weekend, I messed up, big time, and broke up, with Natalie.

It's a long story, all my fault, and I'll go into details later, when I don't feel so raw.

Today, luckily, I had many errands to keep me busy. But one of them took me to a postal depot, near Hakkeijima. I was actually there, to pick up a Ricky Gervais comedy DVD, which I'd ordered for Nat. I don't suppose she'll want it now...

And so, being in the neighbourhood, where Nat and I first met, at the Fatboy Slim event. Such a bittersweet memory, now.

Of course, the place was deserted today, a rainy monday. I walked around, feeling melancholy, looking at the deserted rides, the folorn pelicans, the cramped dolphinarium...

Oh, Nat, DOLL, FIN ish what we started. I miss you....

Then I headed by bus, to Hakkeijima beach, and gazed out, to sea.

Nat, did we have to BUSt up? Will I ever SEA you again?

After that, I took the seaside line train, over Hirakata Bay.

Oh, BAYby, is it truly OVER?

As the bus crossed the bay, the dark clouds drizzled on the sorry scene, and I gazed sadly at a small shrine, at the head of the bay.

Natalie, darling, the Sun will never SHRINE, now we are apart....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ8XLglx8HQ&feature=fvw

One Night Stand of Love, and Interview With a Vamp

Hiya

You can read my latest articles, on SeekJapan, if you go to these links:

http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/2318/Interview+With+A+Vamp

http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/2349/One+Night+Stand+Of+Love

Best wishes,

Des

Looking for a home

things become clearer, as yuji asks des and terry to help him find a permanent venue, in naka ward, for rock4four.

The Mancunian Candidate

things become chrystal clear, when yuji tells des that he is leaving town, for a while.
yuji plans to complete his phd, in manchester. his studies, and research involve airline and regional airport logistics, e.g. why does jal only fly to london, when more people live in the north of england?
bad, for both cost, and enviromental impact.

as a masters student, yuji worked on a feasibility study, for a south coast express line, from london to brighton. although his report recieved rave reviews, and guaranteed him a phd placing, his recommendations still haven't been carried out.

'so, professor, who's gonna run rock4four?'

'terry. but i need you and fox, as tribunes, if you will - the power of veto, and all that.'

The Truce.

des can't understand why yuji and terry seem to have buried the hatchet, but is pleased, nonetheless.

Metropolis Magazine Ad

Hi,

This week, I placed an ad in Metropolis Magazine to ask for DJs, VJS and other creative people, as Rock4four is expanding. More events, more venues, more creativty, more diversity.

For DJs, and VJs, who are interested, in joining up, send a mail, if you have, or think you can provide a sample club style presentation. In return, we can provide MP3s of tracks we are looking to use.

Mail address: deslaughton@gmail.com

For dancers, performers, or any type of creative artist, who think you can contribute to this electrifying and expanding scene, drop us a line, to say hi.

Very best wishes, and thanks, for dropping by.

You can read my articles, on the seekjapan site:

http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/2183/Rock4four:+The+best+scene+of+the+Millennium+so+far...

Des

And meanwhile, over in Brighton, a storm brews....

Hi everyone,

You may or may not know that when I started writing this blog, I was employed by Welcastle publishing company, to write for their music magazine 'Beat Beacon':

http://www.beatbeacon.co.uk/

My brief was to write a column, entitled 'Des Laughton's Japan Beat', in order to bring the nightlife scene to a wider audience. Despite doing my best to achieve this, I felt I was continuously undermined, unappreciated and underpaid, by Mr Castle, the publisher, and Ms Auburn, the editor. Therefore, when things came to a head, this June, Ms Auburn and I decided to go our separate ways, and I resigned as an employee of Welcastle Ltd.

I was determined to continue to champion the scene, here in Yokohama and Kamakura though, so was delighted to begin my association with SeekJapan, a Tokyo based magazine and website, which means anyone with internet access can still keep in touch with what's going on here. It is my plan to find a publisher in Britain to publish 'Des Laughton's Japan Beat' too, as I thought British magazine readers had no access to my stories. How WRONG I WAS!

Despite not being employed by Welcastle for three months or more, the cheeky sods have continued to rip my articles off, and publish them. I can't say I am surprised - I expect nothing less from Castle and Auburn - scruples aren't in their dictionary, folks.

Well, all I can do right now, is say here what they are up to, and recommend to anyone who reads my articles to read them here, or go to the Seek Japan site, for free. I stress again, I have no professional connection with Beat Beacon anymore, and they don't have permission to print my articles, nor do they pay me.

Furious? You bet I am, readers, and will be seeking legal advice.

Hope it doesn't get too nasty though - I just want what I'm owed. Hope you all keep reading my stories!

BTW Rock4four parties are taking a well earned break, in September, while a new, permanent venue is found, in Yokohama. Yuji Fuji and Fox White has invited me to chronicle their search for a venue, so stay tuned to this blog, for info. Hopefully, the party scene will be back in full swing, later in the autumn.

Thankyou again, to everyone who reads my stories, and for all you 4four rockers old and new, who made the summer season so utterly unforgettable.

Very best wishes,

Des Laughton

Big shout going out to the most hopeless burglar in Japan

Hiya,

If you're reading this, you might wonder why I was home, last night, when I was supposed to be out. Simple answer - I was expecting you. I am not exactly sure why you were trying to break in, but I have a pretty good idea. I know you've been on my 'case' for a few months now. I also have a pretty good idea who you are (see pic). If you want to continue this charade, fine, but I'll be in the Rock of Gib, 7pm on Friday (Sept 4) to announce to everyone what you've been up to.

The only way you can avoid what I promise will be as public a humiliation as possible, is for you to contact me, before Friday evening, and explain yourself. No more games.

Sincerely,

Des

The last party of the beach season

Hiya,

As a typhoon was forecast for tonight (Sunday), the final Rock4four party, of the beach season was brought forward a day. And what a day! Beginning at lunchtime, on the beaches of Kamakura, and ending way past dawn, in the clubs of nearby Fujisawa.

Over the eighteen hour period that the partying lasted we saw six different events, (some simultaneous, one spontaneous), a few fights, a wedding (of Ty and Sayaka - more of that later), and the making of countless friendships; a Rock4four record FIFTEEN DJs, and three live performers. Pick of the bunch, for me (and there was some stiff competition) was the set that began at 6pm on Yuigahama beach, and ended twelve hours later, from special guests, Belgian DJs Franck Boogart and Michelle. An absolutely unforgettable set, which included:

One Dove - White Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGG1eBqc_Hk

PIL - Rise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzNjmIWbns4

Belle And Sebastian - The Boy With The Arab Strap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4vooK0WyiM

Elvis Presley - Let Yourself Go 2009 Remix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN470-Yr0_A

The Jam - Start
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJP8gWLc4IE

INXS - Need You Tonight (Maximus Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBLO4MsC3rA

Westworld - Sonic Boom Boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9DMUnhfOQo

Keane - everybody's changing (REMIX)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDda0QBD7WU

fine young cannibals - she drives me crazy 12"mix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7vI7kAjjpg

Radiohead - street spirit (funkagenda remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meXSYjLCyO0

The scenes at this, the final beach party of the year were, I have to say, up there, not only with anything I've seen at Rock4four, but anything I've seen ANYWHERE! My young friend, Aoi, who is an aspiring musician was absolutely awestruck. Not only did she say it was the most amazing party she'd ever been to, but said she found great inspiration, from the music, and energy. Needless to say, the beautiful young thing made more new friends than I've ever seen anyone make in one night.

The evening really began, with the firedance, at little Thailand, around 7pm. Franck and Michelle had prepared a special, pumping set, which included Radiohead, U2, Oasis, and REM and was just fantastic - the firedancers delivered an equally amazing performance too. After the show ended, Ty and Sayaka came across the river, from Bar India, where they'd been having their wedding party. Not only them, but around 150 of their wedding guests came too. I have to say, watching Sayaka, dancing in her wedding dress, on the shoreline, as Keane's 'Everybody's changing' was poetically beautiful - as was Sayaka. I've never seen a more blushing, beautiful bride - I swear a tear ran down my cheek. If she could only hold the happiness I saw on her face, at that moment... but can anyone? As tight as you hold such moments, everybody changes... Still, Ty and Sayaka have as good a chance as anyone.

As the sun set, and darkness fell, the already heaving crowd at the Brighton Rock bar was beginning to cause anxiety. Yuji Fuji told me he had no choice but to ask Franck and Michelle to relocate to the party down the coast, at Enoshima, in the hope that some of the crowd would follow. Luckily, his hope worked out, as about half the partygoers headed to the tram stop, as Yuji drove Franck and Michelle to Enoshima.

Back at Yuigahama, Fox and Miki took over, and, I have to say, kept the party pumping as if Franck and Michelle had never left. I stayed for about an hour and a half, and it was brilliant! I got a chance to give my best, to Ty and Sayaka, and say I'd see them, when they got back from their Honeymoon, in Hawaii....

"We ain't coming back, Des... this is goodbye, at least for now. We're going to be living in San Diego'

I was choked. I couldn't speak, for about half a minute. "Can I come and visit you?".

"Of course" said Sayaka. Ty nodded in agreement.

"This is all very sudden!" I managed to croak.

"I'm being transferred" said Ty. "And Sayaka wants to improve her English. It's a good opportunity for both of us".

"Well what can I say, but 'good luck', and thanks for everything. I couldn't have got my career back on line, without you both" I said, hugging them.

"Fox and Yuji promised to visit" sobbed Sayaka. "Will you come too?"

"Of course, of course!"

We partied together, right in front of Fox and Miki's DJ box, for one of the happiest, yet saddest hour's of my life. Ty made fun of 'Miki Ohara, at all, at all!" one last time, before the golden couple headed off, in a taxi, for Kamakura station, The Temple Cat took over, for the final hour in the DJ box, and Fox, Miki, and I headed over for the final countdown at Enoshima....

Rock4four and related venues

Here is some info, and photos, interviws and opininions, on the blooming scene, around Kamakura, and Yokohama

In Yokohama:

http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/800/music_beat.asp

Life after Tommy

The big ocean day event, as hoped, kicked off the beach season, and in the four weeks since, rock4four parties have been rammed, and full on. Some nights have seen more than one event, for example with Miki and The Temple Cat at the Rock Bar, at Yuigahama beach. Meanwhile, down towards Enoshima, Fox White has played, with guest DJs from Japan and overseas.

'In terms of attendances, and progression, things have exceeded even my expectations' chirps Yuji Fuji, as I interview him, during a chilled-out DJ session, on a sweltering Saturday afternoon, on the terrace of the the Brighton rock bar, at Yuigahama. 'Both the kamakura beach scene, and the Yokohama club scene are getting lots of coverage. It's getting to the point where it's not really underground anymore.'

http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/800/music_beat.asp

'Do you think it'll continue, with the same vibe'

'Yeah, I'm fairly confident. that's not my biggest concern right now. I'm more bothered about Terry Tokugawa. I thought he'd stop getting on my case, especially as he's had to deal with his brother's funeral. But he's bugging me non stop, to give him the license to play whatever he likes, and give him greater involvement in Rock4four. None of those things is gonna happen, as long as I've got a breath left in my body.'

The turn out, for this chilled, slightly down tempo version of Rock4four foregoes the 'dancey' for the ethereal, and the laid back. The number of attendees is impressive, too. People down for the day, surfers, who're on a break, from the breaks, and people who'll stay on, for the dance event, later in the evening. The main point though, that this is GREAT Rock music, to drink cocktails, and look at the Pacific ocean to.

The name of this downtempo daytime event, 'Cocktail on the Rocks' was thought up by Miki, who's behind the decks today. Future DJs are said to include Peter from Sirocco, DJ Jiro and Manami Ohara, Miki's sister, and band mate. So a live aspect is in the pipeline too.

====================================

As I think I'm on good terms with Terry, I visit him, at his import/export company, 'TokuNaga' near Yokohama port, which he runs, with fellow 'businessman', Masa Yoshinaga.

'So, what do Tokugawa and Yoshinaga import and export?', I ask Terry.

'The TokuNaga company deals in all kinds of stuff, from food, to musical instruments. It was my idea, to move into music. some people think it was tommy, but it was me. The dance music revolution, in the West, during the 80's and 90's, based on Roland TR808s and TB303s - I've been shipping them out of Yokohama, for over twenty years. I was fifteen, when I came up with that idea. But my late father wasn't convinced, and neither was Tommy. So I had to secure the capital elsewhere, so I joined up with Masa. But as soon as my Father and Tommy saw how much money I was making, they muscled in, and took over. Tommy also decided he wanted to be 'MR SUPERSTAR DJ' too...... of course, I miss him, don't get me wrong.

I ask Terry why he has fallen out with Yuji.

'Why? There was almost a gang war, between the Tokugawa Kai, and the Little England community. It was only because me, and Peter from Sirocco managed to calm everybody down, and talk some sense, that there wasn't some major violence. Tommy's boys, and Yuji's foreign friends were just aching for aggro. It'd have been carnage. But I got no thanks for that - Tommy always took me for granted. Sadly, he's passed away now.... If I'm as useless though, as him and my Dad always thought, this organisation will crash and burn, won't it? But if it doesn't, I'll have had my rev... I'll have proved them wrong.'

Selected tracks, from the Saturday afternoon DJ session, at the Brighton Rock Bar:

Homer Simpson - Beer Song (When I was 17)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RiVLfFIgLo&feature=related

Oasis - Live Forever (Groucho Marx Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPCUv812-jc

Talk Talk - Life's What You Make it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXsmyLtpxlA

Primal Scream - Loaded:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O9sLkn3nz0

Zoe - Sunshine On A Rainy Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfZ_DATybgM

One Dove - Breakdown:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRxtydeeTYo

Blondie - Fade Away and Radiate (Remix):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVSHj0Av-S4

U2 - With Or Without You (DJ Jiro Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSaEGEODh9Q

Radiohead - Creep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxpblnsJEWM&feature=related

Blink 182 - I Miss You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYEM68HIm0Y

Elvis Presley - Let Yourself Go (Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN470-Yr0_A

Concrete Blonde - Joey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIIlUHBNkEc

Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqrMd5y7QXQ

The KLF - Elvis on the radio, steel guitar in my soul
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndB0poUC6xs

U2 - Numb (New Mix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGKtSuKTO9g

Happy Mondays - W.F.L . (Think About the Future Mix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fWYtIdJD7M

Small Faces - All Or Nothing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QcYL5lI9yw

INXS - Not Enough Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk1aX6hvRe8

The Beach Boys - God Only Knows (Aeroplane Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx-3UMJ32EM

Spiller - Cry Baby (Röyksopp Remix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKGuOpYQEBc&feature=related

Travis - Sing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1f2M5G9KG8

Tommy Tokugawa 1972 - 2009

I have to confess. I WASN'T invited to Tommy's funeral. So, from a discreet distance, I observed it, for journalistic purposes.

Holy mackerel though, I never knew there were so many wise guys in Yokohama. There must have been four or five hundred. Or maybe they're just mourners, in black suits? It's hard to tell.

Anyway, apparently, the Tokugawas belong to 'Tendai Shu' which is an ancient brand of Esoteric Buddhism, which was transmitted from China, over a millenia ago, and took root, in the temples, in the mountains, above Kyoto. Later, the Shoguns adopted it. So the funeral follows the Tendai rituals. A priest chants a sutra, the relatives pass the incense around. Also, now that Tommy is dead, he gets a different name. It kind of notifies the spirit of the departed that they are in fact... departed. So if you're in Japan, and everyone suddenly starts calling you by a different name, it could mean you've passed on.

As Tommy was Tendai, the Funeral Ceremony takes place at Hokai Ji, a famous Tendai temple, in Kamakura. What a beautiful place, to spend eternity!

Funeral aside, it would appear that the police are no nearer catching his killer. I shiver when I think that as most Yakuza murder victims are killed by other Yakuza, I'm probably standing near the murderer! Yikes!

I step away from the funeral hall, and take a walk around the temple grounds. For some reason, there are pieces of broken pottery, embedded in the ground, near the stupa...