In Memory of Mana "China" Nishiura

~ December 25, 2005: In a very special kindness, Audrey Kimura of the Benten Label in Tokyo, recently donated all the money from the T-shirt sales of the US Tour of the girl bands on her label, (Tsushimamire, Amppez & Red Bacteria Vacuum), who were on tour at the same time Mana and the band she supported as drummer, DMBQ, were touring the U.S. and were caught up in the Van crash. At that time, when the news of the death of Mana went out across the Internet - Audrey Kimura released this comment:

"I've just got a tragic car accident news about DMBQ, Friday Nov. 5th... it says the drummer "China" Nishiura did not survive the accident. She was a former (support) drummer of Shonen Knife and also used to be the drummer of one of my label's bands, DROOP. She was the greatest female drummer I've ever known. We start our west coast tour tonight from L.A. We will rock in her memory."

Ms. Kimura has donated the T-shirt sales money from the recent BENTEN US Tour - to the family of Mana. In a letter to Mr. Seiichi Yamamoto of the band "Rashinban" (Mana's dear friend in Japan, and leader of their band, who is representing the family), Audrey Kimura wrote that she was donating the sales money, because: "I felt China (Mana) guarded our tour."

November 5, 2005:

It is with deep personal sadness, that I must announce the passing of Mana "China" Nishiura. She was tragically killed in a three-vehicle accident near the Delaware Memorial Bridge yesterday (November 4) shortly before 1 p.m., after the Econoline van carrying her band, DMBQ, had crossed the bridge from New Jersey near Carneys Point in Salem County. A Mitsubishi Eclipse clipped the van's left rear fender. The van spun out of control, and careened over a barrier on the ramp to Route 40. The van - carrying the four band members and their tour manager Michelle Cable, from San Francisco - then rolled several times down an embankment and into the path of a Ford pickup truck. Mana was ejected from the van and she died at the scene. The other passengers were being treated last night for non-life-threatening, but serious, injuries. Her family was notified by the Japanese Embassy of the tragedy.

"China", (her stage name - which she enjoyed) was the support drummer for Shonen Knife from Year 2001 through 2004, and was with them on their North American Tour in 2003. She was a tremendous talent - a session drummer in Japan who performed with many bands there, and she was much respected and in demand for her drumming skills and ability to play many styles. Her great energy and vitality in the live shows she played with Shonen Knife made her an instant favorite with all their fans, wherever they performed. Mana was also a strong person with a kindly free spirit who made friends with everyone she met. She was previously drummer for "Droop", on the All-girl band Benten Label in Tokyo, and for the respected Japanese fusion band of Seiichi Yamamoto, Rashinban. She joined the Japanese metal band, DMBQ in 2004, when they offered her an opportunity to be part of their first American tour. I met them, as Mana's guest, at their L.A. Show, in March of 2005. They are a powerful metal band, whose punk theatrical style is radically different from Shonen Knife. But, Mana's work with them was a driving force in the success of their stage shows. Mana was a huge baseball fan, (her favorite team was the Hanshu Tigers), and she enjoyed a continuing dialogue with friend Mamiko Nakagawa about baseball in Japan. Mamiko Nakagawa is the webmaster for Mana's China-Mana Personal Homepage in Japan and a longtime fan, and friend, of Shonen Knife. (links below).

Special Links Online, to honor the memory of Mana "China" Nishiura:

Concerning the accident:
Information Updates - from Todd Patrick, NYC Promoter for DMBQ.
Online Account - Blog from "Record Hospital" with attached news story.
BrooklynVegan website ~ Information, photos, messages.
DMBQ Tour Dates ~ Panache Booking Agency; Schedule.
Newsbreak ~ from band "Genghis Tron", via MySpace web.
Jimmy Buttons ~ photos and commentary from one of the bands on the tour.

Websites:
DMBQ. The Official DMBQ Website.
China-Mana Personal Homepage - Webmaster: Mamiko Nakagawa.
Shonen Knife Homepage ~ The Official Shonen Knife Website, Osaka, Japan.
Shonen Knife 2003 Tour w/Mana ~ Many memories, from the fans who met her then, & came to love her.
Heartfriends of Shonen Knife ~ Mamiko Nakagawa's Shonen Knife Website. Many memories of conversations with Mana, in these show reports from Mamiko.
Frank Perri ~ Special update with recent photos with Mana, from musician Frank Perri.

My thanks to those who updated me on this situation: Frank Perri, Mamiko Nakagawa, Todd Patrick, Robin Easton, Sean Richards.

The following is a statement from Naoko Yamano, on behalf of Shonen Knife & Tomato Head Management in Japan:

"Mana "China" Nishiura passed away by traffic accident on November 4th, 2005 when she was touring in America as a member of a rock band "DMBQ". Mana was a support drummer for Shonen Knife from 2001 to 2004. Not only for shows, but she recorded drums for two songs, "Mosquitoes" (album "Strawberry Sound") and "Top of the world" (mini album "Orange-no Taiyo" - in English meaning "Orange Sun"). She also recorded percussions for "Mango Juice" (album "Heavy Songs") and backing vocals for "Rubber Band" (album "Heavy Songs").
It was so sudden a loss that we have no words to express our sorrow. We extend our condolence to her family & the departed spirit."
Shonen Knife: Naoko Yamano, Atsuko Yamano
TOMATO HEAD: Atsushi Shibata

From the webmaster, Shonen Knife NeXuS: I am deeply saddened, & that includes Mamiko Nakagawa, our friend & long-time contributer to this website. Naoko & Atsuko Yamano, Etsuko Nakanichi & all the Shonen Knife support staff are deeply saddened. Our tears join with her friends and family and the soul of music in the world. We have lost a part of our hearts in this tragic event which has taken our friend, "China" Mana Nishiura from among us. She was only with us for such a short time. Yet, she is not forgotten - because we love her. Rest in peace and harmony, Dear Mana.
Our heartfelt condolences go out this night, to Mana's family in Hiroshima. May the God comfort you in this time of such a loss, with certain knowledge that your dear one is never so far from you - and she is surely in a place of peace & harmony. And, to the band members and staff of DMBQ, who were injured in the terrible accident: We hope you will be returned to full health soon from your personal loss in this tragedy, and continue with your music.

Memorial Service in Osaka

The Memorial/Funeral Service was held in Osaka, Japan at 1 p.m. on November 17, 2005. It was held at the Grand Cathedral of Virgin Mary of Tamatsukuri of Osaka. In attendance were her immediate family members, closest friends, members of Shonen Knife and some 500 fans of her music, who came to say goodbye. It was a beautiful ceremony. Her Father spoke in the eulogy, noting that 40 years before - he & Mana's Mother were married in this same church. He read a cheerful postcard that Mana had mailed, just before the accident. She was enjoying the tour, but wanted to "return home early". Her father said, "She went to (home) under God". He & his wife thanked the "such a lot of people" who came to the service. At the entrance to the cathedral was her drum set - the one she used in Japan and her favorite which she loved the most.

Her many photos, CDs, stuffed animals, drumsticks & other items were on a special display table there. In a memorial of attending the funeral for Mana at the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary (Maria) of Tamatsukuri, Osaka - her friend Ms. Mamiko Nakagawa wrote tenderly: "Mana has become "Maria Nishiura Mana".

For fans who wish to place a personal message in memory of Mana "China" Nishiura online, please do so here on the Message Board. We will continue this section until further notice. Thank you.

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A candle is burning this night, in the City of Angels.
George Ojisan, 11/5/05.
The Shonen Knife NeXuS

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