Shaura, formerly known as Juka (ジュカ), is a Japanese visual kei metal singer who first became known in 2002 when he was recruited by Mana for his project Moi dix Mois. In late 2006 he joined HIZAKI's solo project, HIZAKI grace project. He then started a solo career before pausing all musical activities at the end of 2007. He returned in 2009, after changing his stage name to Shaura, as part of the duo XOVER. After his last band VII-Sense disbanded in mid-2012, in August 2012 he officially wrote on his blog that his music career is finished and there was no reason for him to get back on stage now that he had taken up fishing.
Activities
Moi dix Mois
In 2002, Juka was recruited to join Mana's project, Moi dix Mois. Like his band colleague Kazuno he was a newcomer to the Japanese music scene. While Juka was in Moi dix Mois, they produced three singles, two albums and two live DVDs as well as countless live concerts with the band, even in Germany and France. Juka left Moi dix Mois right after the Invite to Immorality Tour Final concert on April 30, 2005. The official reason given for his departure was musical differences. As a result of lacking a vocalist, Mana's fellow band members Kazuno and Tohru also decided to leave the band soon after. From there, Moi dix Mois had to be formed completely anew.
On March 20, 2013, he made an appearance as part of the encore of the final show of Moi dix Moi's Le Dixieme Anniversaire Live 2012-2013 tour performing a short set as part of a reunited original line up of the group followed by a second encore where they were joined on stage by the group's current members for a performance of the title track of the Pageant single.
HIZAKI grace project
At the end of 2006, guitarist HIZAKI recruited Juka as vocalist for solo project, HIZAKI grace project. In early 2007 they released a new album named Dignity of Crest. A live DVD named Monshou was released on May 5, 2007. It contains the complete live footage of HIZAKI grace project's tour final concert on February 17. They released a second album called Ruined Kingdom on September 19 which contained some live tracks and three new songs, which are the last recordings featuring Juka. He officially left the band after the concert at Omotesandou Fab on October 5, 2007. During the "Nihon Tanbi Kakumei" tour in November 2007, Juka performed as support vocalist along with Kamijo and Kaya.
Solo career
In the middle of February 2007 Juka announced the start of his solo career on Kamijo's record label Sherow Artist Society, while continuing activities with HIZAKI grace project. He also announced the release of his first maxi single "Aravesque" on March 28, 2007, which was produced by Kamijo, HIZAKI and Juka himself. The three tracks provide a large style selection. While the first song "Aravesque" is reminiscent of Moi dix Mois' gothic sound, the second track "S" leans in the direction of heavy metal music. The third track "Aimless" has much in common with a French chanson and doesn't share any kind of style with one of the first two tracks. Furthermore, all tracks are instrumental. Another release called Luxurious in the shape of a mini album was released in June 2007. He released his second single "Saint Croix" on October 31, 2007. Juka announced he would be pausing all musical activities at the end of 2007 due to personal matters; all future plans were on hold/cancelled.