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KISS-signed Japanese calligraphy works on sale

5 Comments
By RocketNews24

As you may have noticed, KISS have recently made their way back to Japan and it’s always a treat when they do. This year we’ve already seen them make a well-received cross-genre music video with Momoiro Clover Z and release a line of skin smoothing facepacks with the Japanese cosmetic brand Isshin.

If those weren’t surprising enough, now KISS has collaborated with shodo calligrapher Ryugen Sobukawa for a limited collection of KISS-themed works each autographed by a member of the band.

Oh, and they cost a small fortune.

In total there are only 80 of these works made, but they are divided into four types based on each member of the band. First the canvas has a stylish writing of “KISS” in English next to a kanji interpretation of a character’s name.

Each of the 20 originally made works for each member was also autographed by them. Gene Simmons even did it in full make-up and costume. You know the feeling of being the only person to a “costume party” who actually wore a costume. Something tells me that’s a constant nightmare for KISS.

Each piece of art is very beautiful and blend the edginess of the rock group with the elegance of classical Japanese calligraphy perfectly. In an interesting twist, although rock is considered a new art compared to shodo, each of the artists are transposed in age. The 35-year-old Sobukawa (pictured above next to Simmons) wasn’t even alive when KISS first appeared on stage in Japan.

We're sure all you KISS fans are champing at the bit to get some of these limited-edition writings. The good news is they’re all ready to be ordered from Sobukawa’s website.

The bad news is they cost 432,000 yen a piece. Now of course the true KISS fan will need to get all four which will run you about 1,728,000 yen.

Source: Japaaan

Read more stories from RocketNews24 -- KISS Scarecrow Found In Japan, Next Step for the Kings of Merchandise? -- ‘Momoiro Clover Z vs. KISS’ full music video features Sushio’s animation -- Rock band KISS collaborating with Sailor Moon Crystal’s Momoiro Clover Z

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5 Comments
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I'm 48 years old. I listened to KISS BEFORE I was in Junior High School.

Are these guys for real? Or are they more like the Harlem Globetrotters, who would change members every few years?

Is Gene Simmons really Gene Simmons? Or is he just the "current' Gene Simmons (kind of like Meadowlark Lemon...)

0 ( +2 / -2 )

terrible then, worse now, time 2 retire with whatever dignity you can scrape together. Same goes for the Stones and the big Mac

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I am growing fond of KISS II! Haters going to hate, but I think the next KISS album with be #1 on the billboards.

As for the Calligraphy, I would love to purchase a set.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Are these guys for real? Or are they more like the Harlem Globetrotters, who would change members every few years?

I think Gene and Paul are the only original members left. They don't get on with Pete and Ace, or something like that. Gene is very well know for being an ass.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think Gene and Paul are the only original members left. They don't get on with Pete and Ace, or something like that. Gene is very well know for being an ass.

i believe Probie is correct. Gene is usually a bit of an ass in his public moments. He definitely gives off the "I'm so much better than you, why are you still here?" vibe. Not sure how much of that translates into his private life. Their music, however, ROCKED (except for "Beth" - which was a whine-fest)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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