Hello this is Tak from Imari Tones, Japanese Christian Metal band.
I hope you are enjoying our latest album “Jesus Wind”, which was released in November 2017.
As you see, “Jesus Wind” is a concept album based on Japanese history and it’s got some background stories behind songs.
That was why we made CDs with liner note book, in order to show you some of those background stories.
I have noticed that we have not made the internet version of the liner note.
So here, in order to let you know the story of the “Jesus Wind” album, we post the liner note.
This is basically the same thing that was written on the CD booklet liner.
But I want you to know that this is just “our interpretation”.
There are many other ways to understand, and what you feel in the music is true.
For example, there is a song called “The War”.
In this liner note, we wrote “the ending part of the song depicts the sound of bomber aircrafts”.
But in that part we originally intended “The sound of the Atomic Bombs” in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
However, when I recorded the guitar, the feedback noise came in, and now it sounds more like “aircrafts”.
But it is totally up to you and up to each listener.
If you feel something, that is your answer and we don’t want to limit your imagination here.
That said, this is “our version” of liner note.
Jesus Wind / Imari Tones
KKRS-023
Past
1. Jee-You
2. Dying Prophet
3. God’s People
4. Saints Seeking Salvation
5. Bushido
Present
6. The War
7. The Peace
8. Remembrance
9. The Wave
10. When The Nation Falls
Future
11. This is How Freedom Dies
12. Repent
13. Don’t Stop Walking
14. Revolution
15. New Jerusalem
This is a concept album about Japanese history.
The music was written with an intention to depict Japanese history from a spiritual viewpoint, especially from a Christian one.
Japan has it own unique Christian history even though Christianity was never a primary religion there.
Our goal was to write music not only about the past but also about the future, making this album somewhat like a “musical prophecy”.
[Jee-You]
“Jiyu” means freedom in Japanese.
We believe true freedom lies in the relationship between human and God. So we spelled it this way: Jee-You (Jesus – You).
This is a song about revolution. It was originally going to be included in “Future” part but eventually we decided to open the album with this song.
Because it’s always people’s passion that changes the history of human beings. The most important revolution is in you: Freedom of mind.
“Jee-You”
Lyrics
I don’t want no war
Unless it’s my war
We didn’t realize the war had already begun
Standing in the battlefield
Who we fight for
How many people should we kill to end this nightmare
We refuse to obey
Atrocious acts
We’d rather die as human
than to follow the beast
Because we got
Jee-You (Freedom)
That’s what I believe in
Jee-You (Freedom)
I say All I want is Jee-You
The system is broken
So is society
You can’t divide us anymore with these shallow lines
The last revolution
in human history
Each of us must decide who we die for
We choose to obey
The only truth
We believe in future
and we’re not afraid
Because we got
Jee-You (Freedom)
That’s what I believe in
Jee-You (Freedom)
I give All my life To-You
Now my friends,
All my friends
I wanna hear you say
I wanna hear you shout
Do you believe in future
Do you believe in God
Do you think you can die for Love
We can be brave
Because it’s Revolution
Yes we can do it
With Him we can do it
Each of us give our life and we can change the world
Each of us give our life and we can change the world
Because we got
Jee-You (Freedom)
That’s what I believe in
Jee-You (Freedom)
I say All I want is You
[Dying Prophet]
Every nation has history of prophets, God’s message and people’s disobedience. Did Japan have prophets? Yes. But in our story this song actually refers to the prophets in the Old Testament. Why? You will see in the next chapter.
“Dying Prophet”
Lyrics
Put me in a burning fire
Put me in a lion’s den
I will never be afraid
Cause nobody can change God’s words
The nation is corrupt
The world in chaos
Why don’t you change the way of life
Oh (Oh yeah), we are the prophets ready to die
We won’t change our mind
Until the day His will be done
It will be done
Put me in the dirty mud
Throw me in the scorpion’s nest
I will never be afraid
Cause nobody can change my destiny
Priests are profane
Adulteries rampant
This place will be burnt with fire
Oh (Oh yeah), we are the prophets ready to die
We won’t change our mind
Until the day His will be done
It will be done
Come on (Come on), we are the prophets ready to fight
We won’t turn around
Until the day the words be heard
The words be heard!
God’s voice echoes from heaven
To all the people living in this land
He will punish all the nations
as He treads us like grapes
He will challenge the unfaithful
with his mighty sword
[God’s People]
Some researchers say “Lost tribes of Israel” made a journey to East after losing their home country.
Hata-Tribe is said to be one of them. They had a big impact on ancient Japanese society, culture, politics and religion.
We’d like to think they were the ones who brought God to Japan. As a result Shimtoism has so much in common with Judaism.
“God’s People”
Lyrics
The kingdom has fallen
We were defeated by our own sin
We lost our home forever
Now we are orphaned children
Our selfishness and greed
Made us ignore Your order
Now we lost everything
and finally understood
You were always faithful
Time to start our journey
Heading to the East
Searching for our destiny
Searching for God
Through the daunting desert
Through the deep forest
Climbing the highest mountains
We will go the distance
To get Your love back
To get things done right
To get Your love back
This time
We will make it right
We are God’s people
Broken by His own hand
Our sorrow continues
But we know His Law is forever
I see a land of hope
New story begins here
We will live and we will die
Until the day we become one
Time to start our journey
Heading to the West
Searching for the future
Searching for God
Through the daunting desert
Through the deep forest
Crossing the wide rivers
We will come back home
To get Your love back
To get things done right
To get your love back
This time
We will make it right
[Saints Seeking Salvation]
Although it’s not publicly pronounced, it’s true that Japanese Buddhism from Medieval age was influenced by Christianity. Those priests studied in China actually read the Bible.
The history of Japanese Buddhism is very political and complicated one. But we believe those great priests really wanted to save the people. They sought for the truth and waited for the Savior to come.
“Saints Seeking Salvation”
Lyrics
Everything flows!
Our life is full of pain
We need salvation
to solve this problem
There is no pain
there is no joy
there is no law
there is no god
Endless suffering
There’s no way out
Seeking compassion
that can forgive our sins
I found it
Finally found it
With these words
We be saved
Saved
Not only goodmen
But sinners should be saved
No existence!
This world is full of evil
We need a teacher
to guide this nation
There is no see
there is no hear
there is no me
then there is no truth
Endless questions
Torment me every night
Seeking higher truth
We will cross the sea
I found it
Finally found it
With these words
We be saved
Saved
Not only goodmen
But sinners should be saved
I will put this secret
In this song!
In the end of my journey
I met this man
In the land of Tenjiku
I met this holy man
He is the Savior
He is the Christ INRI
With my Karma came to fruition
He came to save us!
I found it
Finally found it
With these words
We be saved
Saved
Not only goodmen
But sinners should be saved
I will put this secret
In this song
[Bushido]
Samurai’s code known as Bushido is the essence of Japanese spirit. So why is it said to have much in common with Christianity? Was it because of those Christian Samurais in Sengoku era?
Inazo Nitobe, famous figure from Meiji era, wrote a book about Bushido and proclaimed that Japan had Christian spirit as much as any Western nation did.
As Christians in Japan, we believe Bushido will be perfected with Christianity, just like the Laws in the Old Testament were perfected by Jesus.
“Bushido”
Lyrics
This sword is my life
That’s why I won’t use it in vain
It’s not brave to fight and kill
The real valiance is to know the time to die
We knew it since the beginning
There was no chance to win
Samurai is made to endure everything
Take it as it is and don’t say a word
We pick our life in our death
That’s the spirit of Bushido!
Honor is heavier than my life
That’s why I choose the honorable death
We seek beauty in this cruel world
as we follow the code in the lawless battle
We knew it since the beginning
Even if there’s no chance to win
Yamato spirit is to forgive everything
Accept life as it is and bear your cross
Once you die you will never die again
That’s the spirit of Bushido!
(solo)
Beauty of Yamato is to disappear
In this changing new world
Yet we keep carrying this commandment
To achieve our last and biggest mission
which is bigger than ourselves
That’s the spirit of JIN
[The War]
So this is basically a song about the World War 2 in which Japan was burned down to the ground.
So who started the war and why? We don’t discuss it here, because this song is sung from a viewpoint of a soldier and ordinary people. It’s not about who is right or wrong. It is about those who suffer.
Insanity, madness, propaganda. It spreads like a infectious disease and always ends with a tragedy.
The ending part of the song, obviously, depicts the sound of bomber aircrafts raiding the land of Japan.
“The War”
Lyrics
Everyone is smiling
with their frantic smile
Everyone is shouting, holding their flags of justice
as these kids die under their feet
Am I the only one
who’s still not infected by this beast disease
I try my best not to be noticed
Trying to sneak out of this mass suicide
I kill
Yes I kill
In order to survive
No I don’t want to do it
I don’t want to do it
But is there any other choice?
If we could give it up
If we could give it all away
Can we start to laugh and talk to each other
No it’s too late
It’s all too late
To change the course of our destiny
There is a reason: That’s what they say
Surely everyone has a reason
It’s not enough
It’s not enough reason for me
To kill each other today
Someone has to fight
Someone has to make a sacrifice
For the unspoken history
Even if it’s true
Even if your allegation is true
I want to see the different ending to this story
I kill
Yes I kill
In order to come back home
No I don’t want to do it
I don’t want to do it
But is there any other choice?
If we could give it up
If we could give it all away
Can we start to laugh and joke to each other
It’s too late
It’s all too late
To change the course of our history
Never surrender
Fight for your nation
Never surrender
I’d rather surrender to Love
(solo)
Never surrender
Never surrender
Never surrender
Fight for your nation
Never surrender
Never surrender
Never surrender
Fight for your family
Never surrender
Never surrender
Never surrender
Fight for freedom
Never surrender
Never surrender
Never surrender
Fight for justice
Never surrender
Never surrender
Never surrender
Never surrender
[The Peace]
After the World War 2 ended, Japan has grown into an economic super power in the world. Now Japan is a wealthy, peaceful country. That’s the country we grew up in. That’s the Japan as we know it.
But is it really true? In our heart we always knew this was not true.
Current nation of Japan was built upon multiple layers of lies.
So what is missing? What do we need?
What do we need to know in order to become a real nation?
Or to become real people?
“The Peace”
Lyrics
Lie, one small lie
Mesmerized the girl
Captivated the nation
Lie, lie after lie
made us always smile
and forget everything
There is nothing to worry about
Because we are living in someone else’s peace
Murder, one small murder
Sealed our soul, killed our children
Murder, such a beautiful murder
It doesn’t matter
In a false slumber, nothing can’t be real
Nothing is real
Who is our God
Remember the last time He was real
Things are really easy when you don’t have the answer
Let’s keep it this way it makes me feel safe and comfortable
I don’t want to become anything as long as I’m in the herd
Lie, one small lie
Mesmerized the girl
Captivated the whole nation
Lie, lie after lie
made us always smile
Let’s forget everything
Lie, one small lie
spellbound the crowd
made us deny our own fate
Lie, lie after lie
makes us always smile
Such a peaceful murder
It doesn’t matter at all
[Remembrance]
While this album “Jesus Wind” is a history album, this little acoustic tune is my/our personal memory. We grew up in a peaceful country after the World War 2. While it was not a perfect place, it was a beautiful world and we have some precious memory there. This is our “ode” and bittersweet goodbye to the old world.
[The Wave]
The earthquake and tsunami happened in March 2011 was devastating and was a huge shock to Japan nation.
Not only were nearly 20,000 people killed but we also felt some things begun to move. Broken Nuclear Power Plant looked like a hell’s gate open and we felt we had to face the severe reality. The reality we have to change. For this song we took some words from “The Bells of Nagasaki” by Dr.Takashi Nagai, describing the victims as “holy sacrifice to God”. The end of the song depicts the nuclear power plant melting down.
“The Wave”
Lyrics
I always wondered what the end of the world would look like
It’s such a shame that I have no one to show it
Yes we’ve been sleeping in the fabricated story
I got to start my clock again to get a hold of reality
The wave is coming
Shaking everything
There is no turning back
Look the Lord will ruin the earth and scatter the people
The earth shakes like a drunk head and swings like a hut
The fire burns night and day, the smoke will rise forever
No one will ever live in or travel through the land again
The wave is coming
Changing everything
Pour out the wrath of God
On that day you shouldn’t go back to your house to take anything out
People in Judea you better run to a mountain
Just like Noah’s age, it shall happen again
Those who try to save their lives, they will lose them
2 persons sleeping, one will be taken away
Survivors, the left behind what are we supposed to do
Yes you should believe what Dr.Nagai said
Because God only takes a holy sacrifice
No turning back
The wave is coming
Changing everything!
[When The Nation Falls]
Even though it may sound like a political song, this is more about the spiritual aspect of nation and society.
A nation doesn’t fall in danger because of some enemies. You know a nation is in real danger when the spiritual situation is degrading.
Some people like to spread fear in the time of crisis, in the aim of acquiring power and taking control.
Those people are not patriots. They are the ones to collapse a nation. It’s happening in Japan, too.
“When The Nation Falls”
Lyrics
Doom to those judges who issue false decrees
That’s when the nation falls
Doom to those politicians who make unfair laws and steal from the poor
That’s when the nation falls
King of the nation
Lies to the world
Now everyone doing the same without shame
King of the nation
Speaks of hate
Now hate is virtue, love is vice
Listen, you’ll listen
But you won’t understand
Look, you’ll look
But you will never learn
Cover their ears
Shut their eyes
So that they won’t come back to me and be healed
They run to the evil, hurry to shed innocent blood
That’s when the nation falls
The way of peace, they don’t know, or to be fair with others
That’s when the nation falls apart
False prophets
Screaming loud
Now everyone accuses each other without love
False patriot
Speaks of justice
Just spreading rage and fear
Listen, you’ll listen
But you won’t understand
Look, you’ll look
But you will never learn
Cover their ears
Shut their eyes
So that they won’t come back to me and be healed
Therefor justice is gone from us
Nor does righteousness overtake us
We look for light, but there is none
We seek for brightness, but we walk in blackness
We grope for the wall like the blind
and we grope as if we had no eyes
We stumble at noonday as at twilight
We are as dead men in a desolate place!
solo
Now good is evil, and evil is good
You put darkness for light and light for darkness
Doom to the people who are wise in their own eyes
They take away justice from the righteous men
Listen, you’ll listen
But you won’t understand
Look, you’ll look
But you will never learn
Cover their ears
Shut their eyes
Till the land is wasted and turn into desert
[This is How Freedom Dies]
– This is a political song with no word
[Repent]
We hope for the day Christ will come again.
We hope for the day when the evil will perish and our faith will be rewarded.
But will Jesus come to Japan?
Does God’s hand work here in Japan?
How about all those people persecuted and killed in history?
As a Christian, in a desperate situation, sometimes we have to ask.
But we sense it. It will happen.
The day will come when all the people in Japan know the real God.
That is when we will find our true soul as a nation.
This is redemption in a heavy metal form.
“Repent”
Lyrics
Fallen! Babylon has fallen
Now she’s the home of the evil spirits
We’re all drunk with her filthy wine
She’s ruled over the kings of the earth
Stay away from her, my people
so that you won’t share her sins
On the streets there is found the blood
of God’s prophets and all the saints
Repent!
Worship and honor God
The time has come for us to be judged
Repent!
Kneel down before God
The one created heaven and earth
Pity! How pity, Babylon
In a moment her judgement has come
We all shared her wealth and slept with her
She was adorned with gold, jewels and pearls
Treat her as she has treated others
Make her pay double for what she has done
For your merchants were the rulers of the world
By your magic everyone was fooled
Repent!
Follow the Lamb of God
Blessed are the ones who die in Faith
Repent!
Listen to what the Spirit says
You will have the victory
Victory in Heaven
Victory in Heaven
solo
Repent!
Worship and honor God
The time has come for us to be judged
Repent!
Kneel down before God
Salvation and glory,
and honor
and power
belong to our God!
[Don’t Stop Walking]
Some people say the end is near. You don’t even have to say it because we all know it in our heart.
But even in a desperate time, some people don’t stop walking.
They don’t stop dreaming. They don’t stop loving.
They are the ones who make new future.
Previously unknown future with a whole new possibility.
People call them crazy, because they are like Jeremiah 51:50.
– Confession: we just wanted to write a song with 51:50. Because we are Christian rockers influenced by VH.
“Don’t Stop Walking”
Lyrics
Don’t stop walking, don’t stop walking, don’t stop walking
Remember Jerusalem, remember Jerusalem, in your heart
Just keep walking, let’s keep walking, don’t stand still
I’m thinking of you, thinking of you, from a distant place
So don’t stay, don’t stand still, you are a surviver
You have a life to live, you have a life to live, until the end
and I love you, I love you, I’m with you
I’m with you, I’m with you,
So don’t stop walking, don’t stop walking
[Revolution]
It was power and passion of people that made us decide to work on the task of making a concept album that seemed impossible.
I saw a vision. A vision of people who believed in Love.
A vision of people who believed they could change the world.
They were Christians.
That was when I realized even small in number, they were true followers of Christ in Japan, and this nation belongs to God.
“Revolution”
Lyrics
The cruel king has fallen
The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked
Now whole world rejoices in peace
People begin to sing
How beautiful it is to see
To see a messenger running in the mountains
who brings peace, announces salvation
and declares the victory of God
Shout it out loud and don’t stop
Raise your voices and play your guitars
Reveal their crimes against God
Free the prisoners
Break all the chains
Hear the noise in the mountains
Hear the voice of the people
Hear the sound of the nations
Gathering together for God
Sing to the Lord a new song
Sing His praise from the end of the earth
Sailors, islands, those who living there
Declare His name in the land of rising sun
Wake up and be strong
Jerusalem the holy city
Free yourself from the chains around the neck
Can you hear the sound from the city
Those shouts from the temple
It is the God’s voice singing
while He punishes his enemies
(solo)
The Lord has shown His power to all the nation
Now all the people on the earth will see the salvation
Shout it out loud and don’t stop
Raise your voices and play your guitars
Free the prisoners
Break all the chains
Declare Jesus’ name in the land of rising sun
[New Jerusalem]
As a believer in Japan I’m often plagued with a powerless feeling.
Japan is one of the most “unreached” nations in the world. I feel “Spiritually Ignorant” is the right word.
We simply don’t need God to live in this business oriented modern nation.
Quite often I’m at loss wondering how we can reach them. That was when I read the words from Isaiah 65. It says “I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me.”
I was struck and realized the power and greatness of God. I trust in Him.
So where is the New Jerusalem? I guess it is a whole new world we together will make.
Just like “Heiankyo” (means Jerusalem), ancient capital city build in Kyoto, that’s where our hope is. And that’s where we always will return.
“New Jerusalem”
Lyrics
I was sought by those who did not ask for me
I was found by those who did not seek me
I said “Here I am” to a nation that didn’t call on my name
I stood all day long to accept rebellious people
On the last days the mountain where the Lord’s temple stands
will be the highest among all, people come and say
Let us go up to the mountain, to the house of Jacob’s God
Teaching comes from Zion
God’s words from Jerusalem
Rejoice with Jerusalem
Celebrate and shout!
All of you cried for her
Now you can be filled with joy
I will write my laws on their hearts and minds
I will be their God and they will be my people
No more shall every man teach his neighbor to know the Lord
Because they all know Me, from the least to the greatest
He will settle disputes between nations
They will pound their swords into rakes and shovels
Nation will never lift up sword against nation anymore
House of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the Lord
Look! God is creating a new heaven and earth
Be glad, rejoice forever because Jerusalem is joy
No more, the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard
God will be with us and be our God
He will wipe away every tears from our eyes
No death, no sorrow, no crying
for the former things have passed away
Write down, for those words are truth and faithful
Making a concept album about Japanese history was our long time dream. We thank everyone helped us on the way & made it possible.
Next: After the “Overture”, we are going “Nabeshima” mode. Please look forward to Imari Tones’ Ultimate Japanese Christian Metal.