We made a new music video!
Here is the information.
Sengoku Christians (戦国キリシタン)
Samurai Faith Music Video
Imari Tones are trying to combine Japanese traditional legacy, Christianity, and heavy metal music. Their latest album “Nabeshima” is a result of that effort.
This song is called “Sengoku Christians”. Maybe it should have been titled “Sengoku Kirishitan” which is more in line with its original Japanese title (戦国キリシタン). It means “Christians in war time Japan”.
It’s a song dedicated to Christian Samurais in Japanese history. Those Christians were called “Kirishitan” back in the 16th and 17th century. Because Christianity was banned in Japan, many of them were persecuted, exiled, and killed. But many of them kept their faith in spite of persecution.
In the song lyrics, two notable historic figures are mentioned.
The first verse is about Hosokawa Gracia, the famous Christian princess who died a tragic death in the midst of war. The second verse is about Takayama Ukon, a courageous Christian Samurai who abandoned his land and wealth in order to follow God.
The unknown history of Kirishitan. We are proud of it, even though it’s full of tragedies. Imari Tones wrote this song to tell the world about this Japanese Christian legacy.
For this music video, Imari Tones visited Kyoto, the historic ancient capital city of Japan, in order to find their spiritual roots.
Also Shinryu, the drummer of Imari Tones and real life Samurai, is showing off his deadly sword skills. It’s a representation of spiritual warfare against the devil.
This video was made in the DIY style with the spirit of independent rock music. There are so many fun elements in spite of the serious message of the song.
This is Samurai heavy metal with faith. This is Japanese Traditional Christian Heavy Metal.
Please enjoy to your heart’s content.
Song Lyrics
Behead me, because I’m not allowed to kill myself
Woman in Sengoku, needs to be ready for death
My name is Grace, that’s my faith
I’m here to show His glory to the world
I just want the truth, not some excuse
Even if it leads me to a tragic end
Take my fortune, because I must keep my faith
Man in Sengoku, needs to fight for his honor
My name is Justice, that’s my faith
I’m here to show His glory to the world
I just want love, not some sympathy
Even if I have to walk through an ordeal
Flower is beautiful only because it knows the time to fall
Man can be strong only because he knows the time to die
Time to die, time to die, Sengoku Kirishitan
散りぬべき 時知りてこそ 世の中の 花も花なれ 人も人なれ
Flower is beautiful only because it knows the time to fall
Man can be strong only because he knows the time to die
Time to die, time to die, Sengoku Kirishitan