In March 2007, we recorded Holy Mountain's “Prayer for Chibi” at a studio in Portland.
I have fond memories of that time.
This recording became a memorial album for “Chibi,” the five-year-old beloved cat of Pirako and Kageo, who had passed away from leukemia a month earlier.
While our staying at JW's residence, I asked him about the origin of the label name “Holy Mountain.”
He said, "My best friend died on the mountain, so I named it after him."
I was surprised. I had mistakenly assumed he had taken the name from Alejandro Jodorowsky's film “The Holy Mountain” .
After that, whenever SNF went on tour in the US, JW would always come to the venues where we were performing. We were happy to meet again.
The last time I saw him was during Suishou No Fune's 2012 US tour.
I am so grateful to JW. He has repressed and sold SNF's albums for nearly 20 years without selling them out.
I have always lived with JW and Chibi.
As long as I live, I will never forget you. JW, rest in peace in the Holy Mountain where your best friend rests.