35,000 gather for 13th memorial of former X Japan member Hide

Approximately 35,000 fans formed a line stretching well over a mile in Tokyo on May 2nd for a chance to pay their respects at the 13th memorial of popular 1990s Japanese
rock guitarist Hide of X Japan, who had died suddenly at the age of 33 in 1998.


Around 500 people with close relationships to Hide, whose real name was Hideto Matsumoto, gathered at the Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple in Tokyo for a morning Buddhist memorial service, NHK News stated. The 13th memorial, or 12 year anniversary, was scheduled to run through the time the rock star was officially pronounced dead on May 2, 1998 – 8:52am.


Outside the temple, more than 35,000 fans formed a line running over two kilometers for a chance to pay respects in the afternoon hours. Around 3,500 of them had gathered by the early morning hours the Mainichi noted. TV reports showed fans that had come from many regions around the country and ranged in a wide variety of ages. Many of those waiting in line sported fashion similar to Hide near the time of his death, such as black clothes and pink hair.


A New York Times article written about a month an a half after Hide’s death reported the chaotic circumstances around the tragic event, which they stated was in some ways “reminiscent of Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.” Hide had been found dead in his apartment with a towel looped around his neck. The police had ruled it a suicide, but many close to the guitarist felt it was more likely a drunken accident.


Japanese national news was made shortly after the star's death when five female fans attempted copycat suicides, of which three succeeded. More than 50,000 fans gathered at Hide’s funeral, resulting in violent turmoil. Twelve years later, NHK News indicated that there were almost no reported problems with this year’s May 2nd event.


Evident from the outcry of fans waiting in line, Hide’s allure remains high, like other popular figures that have died in their prime.

According to Press Net Japan, X Japan drummer Yoshiki commented after the service, “Hide is an eternal friend and an eternal member of the band. He was like a comrade in arms.”