Hamasaki Ayumi at I.T. in Hong Kong for Love and Hope + Five Photo Exhibition

Long time Etchy blog readers will know I'm a fan of Japanese pop legend Hamasaki Ayumi since my days living in Japan.  I have attended a number of her concerts almost every year even after moving to HK (here are my Hamasaki Ayumi related blogs, and don't forget my Hamasaki Vans photo album!). 

So needless to say, I was happy to hear she was coming back to HK for two events.  One was the premiere for her Second 3D concert movie, which I'll have to see when it is released, cause I didn't get a ticket this time... :-P

But there was a second event held in Causeway Bay I was able to go to -

Frequent Hamasaki album artwork photographer Leslie Kee put together a photo book to raise funds for Tsunami relief efforts this past spring.  The book is called 'Love and Hope' and includes pictures Kee has taken of notable artists including Lady Gaga, J.Lo and a number of Chinese and Japanese stars.  Ayumi is on the cover. 

It appears that they've released a new version called 'Love & Hope + Five'  to coincide with the launch of Hamasaki's new mini-album 'Five' this week.    As I don't have the original 'Love & Hope' I can't say for sure, but it appears that the 'Five' portion is about 20-30 extra pages of Ayumi-specific photos grafted together with Love & Hope. According to that e-flier there's only 1000 copies being printed of this version.

I.T. hosted both Kee and Hamasaki for an event to announce the kick off of the book's sales in Hong Kong as well as a small exhibition of works from the book and of their long working relationship.

Here's some of my pics of the exhibition -

A crowd forming at the entrance to the Hysan One store.

Inside the store entrance.

Here's some of the pics from 'Love & Hope' that they had on display. Recognize any one?

My second favorite Japanese pop star, Namie Amuro there on the right... and Zhou Xun on the left.

J. Lo in the house! :-P

They also have a section with Leslie Kee's Ayumi related pictures (these are the ones in the 'Five' book -

I went through and took some close ups of some of the panels, for those of you who can't make to the exhibition (runs 1 more week) and can't get the book. :-P

  The last one on the bottom right is the most impressive to me.  I hadn't realized it, but Leslie Kee actually show the cover artwork for many of my favorite Hamasaki albums and singles (2006's ' Secret'is probably my favorite album cover, and definitely ' &' for the singles...)

OK, now on to the event itself! 

It was a small event actually,  there was a signing board set up with a bunch of reporters blocking most of the view. 

After waiting a good 30 or 40 minutes mingling around, there was a bit of a buzz amongst the staff. You could tell that Hamasaki had arrived so everyone was getting ready and the press took their positions, blocking most of the view....   but luckily Etchy has all the right hook-ups so I ended up going to the 'backstage' area behind the signing board.    Next thing I know Ayumi and her security team showed up a few feet away.  As this was 'backstage' I couldn't just pull my camera out and snap a pic,  but I was about 10 or 12 feet away.  :-P

But once they called her out and she ventured towards the press zone, I quickly snapped a few pics -

unfortunately lots of handlers and security moved in the way too... but she's there, check the close up below -

Standing next to Hamasaki with the blonde hair is from Mizuno Shuya(水野周也),  one of her dance team members (well known to anyone who's ever watched her concert)

I got a clearer shot (of their backs) when they were up at the side of the backdrop)

doh,  is that the best I can do? :-P

They did some chit-chat about the book, about her relationship with Leslie Kee, who was also on stage, and about the recent MV they filmed together, 'Brilliante'.

I had my camera ready for when they came back -

This was the only one where you can see Ayu (there on the left side). 

Thankfully one of Naho's friends posted this to his weibo.  (thanks for sharing!)   I guess if you look closely enough you can almost see Etchy in the background there. :-P

Anyway, it was no big deal,  worth the trip for me, but probably not for some of the other people who were there.  I'm actually not that into collecting Hamasaki Ayumi  memorabilia  (but I gladly take it when its gifted to me!)  ...but of course I had to support the good charity cause and get the book -

Its quite a nice book.  the celeb photos in the Love & Hope part are nice (includes the ones in above pics) and the 'Five' portion includes all the pics you saw above from the exhibition too. 

Its only HK$500 (~US$60).   If anyone out there on the internet wants one,  let me know and I can go pick up an extra copy and send it to you. Just send a PM here or on my twitter ( @etchy). :-P