Beyond Music — YOSHIKI on the Essence of Creation
- Gen de Art
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Interview by Gen de Art
YOSHIKI is Japan’s biggest rock star, the Japanese version of Prince meets David Bowie. For many, the name YOSHIKI brings to mind the stirring sound of piano and drums from X JAPAN, Japan’s most iconic rock band. But beyond his music legacy, YOSHIKI is also a fashion designer, a wine producer, and recently, a pioneer exploring the ethical crossroads between art and artificial intelligence.
In this interview, he shares candidly about his evolving vision—from collaborating with renowned artist Yoshitomo Nara, to debuting his brand Maison Yoshiki Paris at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, to launching “AI YOSHIKI.” While his projects span many industries, his creative philosophy remains constant:
“I don’t see them as separate. They’re all just different ways of expressing emotion through art.”
Q: Your collaboration with Yoshitomo Nara surprised many. How do you see wine as part of your artistic expression?
YOSHIKI: Wine isn’t just about taste. It’s about the moment, the environment, and even the bottle design. I’m a big admirer of Nara’s work, and this collaboration brought something special to the wine world. Art and wine may not seem connected, but they both evoke emotion and create memories. That’s why this feels meaningful.
Q: You’ve become a cultural icon in music and fashion. How does your fashion work reflect your creative beliefs?
YOSHIKI: I’ve always loved art in every form. I grew up in a family that made traditional kimono, so maybe I was always meant to create. If I hadn’t lost my father, maybe I would’ve gone into kimono design. But life brought me to music—and now I try to bring all the senses into my work. Sight, sound, touch, even scent and taste—through fashion, wine, performance—I see them all as creative expressions.
Q: Maison Yoshiki Paris debuted at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. How does it differ from your kimono brand Yoshikimono?
YOSHIKI: I launched Yoshikimono over a decade ago, blending tradition with rock elements. It was very personal. But with Maison Yoshiki Paris, I wanted to start fresh. This brand isn’t limited by the kimono image. It’s born from my love for Paris and Europe, and it lets me explore fashion in a broader, more global way.
Q: You recently launched “AI YOSHIKI.” As an artist, how do you feel about AI’s growing role in creativity?
YOSHIKI: AI is here—whether we like it or not. I care deeply about protecting creators, so I decided to understand AI from both sides: the tech side and the artistic side. That’s why I created AI YOSHIKI.
Right now, I use it to help fans—like finding concert info or where to buy my wine. But creatively, I don’t use generative AI at all. I handwrite my music, note by note. That process matters to me.
We need to find a way for AI and artists to coexist—without losing the human soul in the art.
Q: Your upcoming concert in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, is being called “historic.” What does it mean to you?
YOSHIKI: AlUla is a UNESCO World Heritage site—so beautiful, even from photos. I’ve never been, but I’m honored to be one of the few artists invited to perform there. This might be the beginning of a bigger world tour.
When I visited Riyadh last year, I was impressed by their creative infrastructure. It inspired me to imagine how I could contribute to their growing artistic community. AlUla is part of that vision.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you imagine blending music, fashion, design, and film?
YOSHIKI: Honestly, I don’t think of it as blending. To me, it’s all one thing—art. Whether I’m composing music, designing clothes, directing a video, or developing wine, I’m expressing the same emotion in different forms.
I’ll be releasing new music soon, expanding Maison Yoshiki Paris, and launching new wine collections. I’m also working on some film projects. But it all comes from the same place: the love of creating something beautiful.
Q: Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
YOSHIKI: I’m deeply grateful. Whether you support me through music, fashion, or wine—it all means the world to me. I couldn’t do any of this without my fans. Everything I create is for them.
ENDING｜At the Heart of It, Still Art
YOSHIKI doesn’t chase labels—he redefines them. Composer, designer, innovator—each title is just another frame for his core identity: a creator. Whether it’s on stage, on the runway, or in a vineyard, he sees every project as part of a larger artistic vision.
His message is simple, yet powerful:
“I’m not merging industries. I’m just expressing through different forms. In the end, it’s all art.”
Official website: Yoshiki.net
