Nao Kawakita

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Nao Kawakita
Nao Kawakita (2020)
Background information
Birth name	Nao Kawakita (川北 奈緒)
Born	(1975-12-16) December 16, 1975 (age 45)
Origin	Tokyo, Japan
Genres	Nu metal, hardcore punk
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Drums, backing vocals
Years active	1998-present
Labels	VAP
Associated acts	Maximum the Hormone

Nao Kawakita (川北 奈緒, Kawakita Nao, born December 16, 1975), simply known as Nao (ナヲ), is the drummer and backup vocalist of Japanese nu metal band Maximum the Hormone.^[1][2]

Career[]

Nao is the co-founding member of Maximum the Hormone with Daisuke Tsuda. She recruited her brother Ryo Kawakita to play guitar after Sugi and Key left the band.^[3] Her drumming is heavy with the band's sound, while her vocals are light and pop-styled.

Nao announced in January 2009 that she was going to get married.^[4] In November 2009 it was announced that she is pregnant.^[4][5] At first it was decided that the band would not book any more shows, but would proceed with all booked shows.^[5][6] However, on November 3, after the Jigokuezu 2009 Akihabara show, Nao was ill with bleeding and abdominal pain.^[5][6] She was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where a doctor prescribed medicine and told her to have "absolute bed rest".^[5][6] Nao has expressed some frustration: "I could not be wild with joy because I am the mother of the baby but at the same time, I am the drummer of Maximum the Hormone. I have never felt unhappy with being a woman as a drummer. I have never [been] treated wrong either. But this time, I thought if I were a man, I could play drums without caring about the pregnancy. And I also thought that if I was [sic] an ordinary woman, I wouldn't have to worry this much. This was the first time I suffered by [sic] the gender problem."^[5][6] But she was also pleased about the pregnancy, saying that "It was something so desired since I had always been yearned [sic] to be a mother and my husband loves children a lot."^[5][6]

Originally, the band had planned two more Jigokuezu shows and the Soundwave Festival 2010 in Australia—especially the latter, since it would have been during the "stable period" of Nao's pregnancy, but these were cancelled because of Nao's complications.^[5][6] The band has said that they "would like to apologize to all the artists and promoters who invited MTH to this show", but that they "would like to give top priority to the health of the mother and the baby".^[5] Nao returned to drumming after she gave birth and recovered.

Personal life[]

Nao gave birth to a 7.5-pound girl on May 6, 2010, at 6:01 am. She was in labor for 7 hours. While Nao said that she was "very happy", she did voice disappointment that her belly hadn't shrunk back to its normal size.

After giving birth, Nao was enthusiastic to get back to drumming. "...I need to start working out and get ready because I have to fight with hungry MtH fans in Japan who have waited to see our shows! ... I guarantee that you are going to see the new, better MtH!"

Nao has commented that her baby "looks totally, 150%" like former boxing world champion Guts Ishimatsu.^[7]

On May 18, 2016, it was announced that Nao was 6 months pregnant with her second child.^[8] She was admitted to hospital on September 8 and gave birth to a girl at 11:44am the next day.^[4][9]

Cited influences[]

• Unicorn^[1][2]
• Ringo Shiina^[2]
• Chara^[2]
• Cordiality Brothers^[2]
• The High-Lows^[2]
• Ulfuls^[2]
• Combine Space^[2]

Resources[]