On Thursday, July 2, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles Harry H. Horinouchi attended a concert by Japanese pop music group Momoiro Clover Z at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, held as part of Anime Expo 2015.
The consul general was also on hand to present a commemorative item to Mr. Gene Simmons and Mr. Paul Stanley, founding members of the rock band KISS, who have helped to build bridges between Japan and the United States through their music and art. The trademark makeup look of KISS is said to have been inspired by Japanese Kabuki theater, and the band has long expressed a deep appreciation of Japanese culture and aesthetics. KISS recently participated in the “Ukiyo-e Project,” which seeks to revive and preserve the art of Ukiyo-e, a type of traditional Japanese woodblock print.
Having performed with Momoiro Clover Z at Tokyo Dome in February, the two KISS members appeared at the Japanese pop group’s concert in Los Angeles to show their support. Before the concert began, Consul General Horinouchi appeared on stage to welcome the roughly 4,500 fans who attended Momoiro Clover Z’s first-ever U.S. performance and to present an obi (a traditional silk belt used when wearing a kimono) to KISS as a symbol of Japan’s appreciation for contributing to Japan-U.S. relations. Consul General Horinouchi then offered words of encouragement to both Momoiro Clover Z and KISS, before exiting the stage.
Cheered on by their enthusiastic fans in Los Angeles, Momoiro Clover Z members performed for two hours, going well beyond the scheduled one hour show. Their first-ever concert in the U.S. proved to be a success, with all who participated having a fun evening.
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