Shou

Shou may refer to:

Shou (character)

Shòu (simplified Chinese: 寿; traditional Chinese: 壽; pinyin:  shòu) is the Chinese word/character for "longevity".

Use

Three of the most important goals in life in Chinese traditional thought are the propitious blessings of happiness (fú 福), professional success or prosperity (lù 禄), and longevity (shòu 寿). These are visually represented by the three "star gods" of the same names (Fú, Lù, Shòu), commonly depicted as three male figurines (each wearing a distinctive garment and holding an object that enables them to be differentiated), or the Chinese ideographs/characters themselves, or various homophones or objects with relevant attributes. Shòu is instantly recognizable. "He holds in his hand a large peach, and attached to his long staff are a gourd and a scroll. The stag and the bat both indicate fu happiness. The peach, gourd, and scroll and symbols of longevity." His most striking characteristic is, however, his large and high forehead, which earned him the title "Longevity Star Old-pate".

A9 (band)

A9, previously known as Alice Nine (アリス九號., originally stylized as alicenine.), is a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in Tokyo in 2004. A9 was a part of PS Company until 2014. The band had King Records as its record label until 2010, when they joined Tokuma Japan. Then, in 2013, they joined Universal Music Group's Nayutawave Records.

The group has released six full-length records, some of which were distributed in Europe by CLJ Records, along with several EPs, singles, and DVDs. In 2015, they shortened their name to A9.

History

2004–2006: Conception and early work

In August 2004, Alice Nine formed after the disbandment of the band Givuss, and the band's vocalist, Shou, and guitarist Tora continued on to search for members to form a new band. Saga, the bassist for the band Delta Ark, and Nao, drummer for the bands Fatima and RusH, were also seeking bandmates as well, and the four members eventually joined together. Hiroto was the last member to join after Shou, Tora, Saga, and Nao spotted him at a performance with his band at the time, Baquepia. Shou explains that the "Alice" in the band's name was something that they believed sounded "very visual kei" to them, while the "Nine" is written in kanji and represents their origins as a Japanese band.