I don't think I've ever done a book review before unless it was decades ago when I was in elementary school. Now's the time to actually do one. I've begun to start reading again and currently am finishing up on Tolkien's The Two Towers. It's been a while since I've physically picked up a book and I think it's time I start doing this more often. I recently came across a translation of Toshi's book documenting the 12 years of pain and struggle he went through under the influence of Home of Heart, a money grabbing cult disguised as a healing group. To be fair, I am basing the review off the following unofficial English translation by a fan as I don't read/speak Japanese myself.
To a non-X Japan fan, this book may not interest you as much, but it perhaps can serve as an autobiography highlighting one man's midlife crisis guiding those in similar conflict. The book is very straightforward and written in first person by Toshi, himself. I like that it's to the point providing the necessary description. Even though I am a fan of X Japan, I like to be skeptical of all things I read. I personally believe some details were with held from the public for Toshi's personal reasons and I respect his decision for that in order to protect persons involved. Nonetheless, I will believe the events he described in the book with intention to release the truth behind Home of Heart and the choices he made.
I will not give away too much information about the book in this entry. The link is above in this post and I suggest you read the free translation to get the fullest of details. The translation is more effective in conveying emotion than me spoiling it for the reader. The translator advised with disclaimer that there is violence and psychological abuse in the book that may prove too gruesome. I write a lot of violence and gore myself and I think it's actually not that bad as the disclaimer says.
As I read through the book, I felt really frustrated for the most part. I was very frustrated with the many bad choices Toshi had made that got him into the problems. At the same time, I felt anguish for Toshi because he had no one around him to help him. He did have an older brother that really looked out for him, but Toshi turned away from him due to trust issues under the negative influence from Home of Heart. Home of Heart is really a terrible and evil cult and I think most of us would agree after reading about it. Sometimes we do bring misfortune upon ourselves and I think seeing Toshi's story as an example can teach us how to think for ourselves. Had he believed in his older brother maybe all this wouldn't have happened. But then again, sometimes events spin out of control beyond your grasp. The conclusion is very positive for all of us to read. It gives us the purpose for the publication of this book and a declaration of hope to everyone experiencing the lowest points of their lives.
I think some things can be taken away by reading the book that we should be grateful for the people around us. We can have eyes obscured by lies and confusion, but ultimately if we know the right people to trust and believe in, they become the guiding light to push away the grey clouds. It must have been a long therapeutic process for Toshi to record all the significant events that occurred in his arduous 12 years.
--- Edit 9/17/19
The link is no longer active.
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