Ketsumeishi delivers a powerful anthem with ‘Wanokokoro.’ The group writes lyrics that call for resilience and unity in Japan, while EQ and RYOJI compose a melody that stirs determination. This track from ‘KETSUNOPOLIS 14’ is both a rallying cry and a heartfelt plea for harmony.
Released: January 28, 2026
Wanokokoro
Ketsumeishi • From “KETSUNOPOLIS 14”
Wanokokoro Lyrics Translation (from “KETSUNOPOLIS 14”)
The poet behind the song describes a ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ where hope flickers but never fades. One standout line translates to, ‘Grit your teeth and stand up once more,’ urging listeners to face challenges head-on. The lyrics mix pride in heritage with a call to relearn the ‘spirit of harmony.’
Hi izuru kuni no kibou no hi ga mata shizunde moEven if the fire of hope in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ sinks again,
Ha o kuishibatte mata tachiagattegrit your teeth and stand up once more.
Hontou no jiyuu o te ni surun daroYou’re going to grasp true freedom, aren’t you?
Hi izuru kuni no kibou no hi ga mata kesarete moEven if the flame of hope in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ is put out again,
Te to te toriatte kuraku wakachiattelet’s take each other’s hands and share the hardships.
Hontou no egao o te ni surun daroYou’re going to find a true smile, aren’t you?
Hi no izuru kono kuni umareteWe were born in this ‘Land of the Rising Sun’,
Nanika okashii mina tsukareterubut something’s wrong; everyone’s exhausted.
Negatibu nyuusu ni korogasareWe’re tossed around by the negative news,
Odorasare kumotta me ni kotoba ga neemanipulated until our eyes are too clouded for words.
Kono saki mirai hari naki rashinbanThe future ahead looks like a compass without a needle.
Kudasai ai aru anshinkanPlease, give us a sense of peace filled with love.
Ruutsu ni manabinaoshiteLet’s relearn our roots,
Bunka wa no kokoro naraitadashiteand correct our ways by learning the ‘spirit of harmony’.
Kono uta ni oto ni noseru omoiThese are the feelings I put into this song and sound;
Senjin no omoi ano hokori doko niwhere did the pride and spirit of our ancestors go?
Banko nando mo tachiagatta gaThey stood up time and time again through the ages,
Kizukanu uchi ni nani ga attabut what happened while we weren’t looking?
Saa te o awase chikara awaseCome on, join your hands and join your forces,
Utsukushii nihongo seishin o kanadelet the beautiful Japanese spirit play out.
Kibou no mirai o nokoseru you niSo we can leave a future full of hope,
Kodomotachi mirai de hokoreru you niso the children can be proud of their future.
Iyasaka‘May we prosper!’
Hi izuru kuni no kibou no hi ga mata shizunde moEven if the fire of hope in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ sinks again,
Ha o kuishibatte mata tachiagattegrit your teeth and stand up once more.
Hontou no jiyuu o te ni surun daroYou’re going to grasp true freedom, aren’t you?
Hi izuru kuni no kibou no hi ga mata kesarete moEven if the flame of hope in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ is put out again,
Te to te toriatte kuraku wakachiattelet’s take each other’s hands and share the hardships.
Hontou no egao o te ni surun daroYou’re going to find a true smile, aren’t you?
Donna konnan mo norikoeteWe’ve overcome every kind of hardship,
Koko made kita koto hokori moteso take pride in how far we’ve come.
Kako ga atta kara ima ga aruThe present only exists because the past happened;
Sono keii o nakuseba miamayamaruif you lose that respect, you’ll lose your way.
Minari nariwai mo daibu kawattaOur clothes and our jobs have changed a lot.
Ima ikiru orera nani o manandaWhat have we, living today, actually learned?
Kono yo no naka wa momegoto de ippaiThis world is just full of constant disputes.
Sonna kuni datta nara mou iikaiIf this is the kind of country we’ve become, is that enough?
Tagai tasukeau wa no kokoroThe ‘spirit of harmony’ where we help one another
Koso motsu no hitsuyousa nao no kotois exactly what we need now, more than ever.
Nando demo orera tachiagaruWe’ll stand up as many times as it takes;
Koto de kachi ga aru asu aruthere’s value in that, and there’s a tomorrow.
Ano koro no kimochi o yobiokosouLet’s wake up the feelings we used to have,
Kedakai kokoro o torimodosouand take back our noble hearts.
Mata akarui mirai o nozomu hi gaBecause we want the day to come when we wish for a bright future again,
Orera suki da kara kono kuni gasince we truly love this country.
Hi izuru kuni no kibou no hi ga mata shizunde moEven if the fire of hope in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ sinks again,
Ha o kuishibatte mata tachiagattegrit your teeth and stand up once more.
Hontou no jiyuu o te ni surun daroYou’re going to grasp true freedom, aren’t you?
Hi izuru kuni no kibou no hi ga mata kesarete moEven if the flame of hope in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ is put out again,
Te to te toriatte kuraku wakachiattelet’s take each other’s hands and share the hardships.
Hontou no egao o te ni surun daroYou’re going to find a true smile, aren’t you?
Wanokokoro Music Video
‘Wanokokoro’ is about finding hope amidst adversity. The lyrics encourage unity and resilience, offering a reminder of Japan’s enduring spirit through the voice of Ketsumeishi.