Mori Yamato’s “Asu de Mattete”: Finding Light in a Complex World

Song

In his debut album, 69 Jewel Beetle, Mori Yamato masterfully navigates the emotional landscape of youth, a journey from the natural tranquility of his hometown to the bustling complexity of city life. The track “Asu de Mattete” (Wait for Me Tomorrow) stands as a beacon of hope and connection within this narrative. It’s not just a song; it’s a profound message to anyone feeling lost, a gentle reminder that even when apart, we share the same sky and can find warmth in the promise of a shared future.

Background of the Song

“Ashita de Mattete” is a standout track on Mori Yamato’s first album,

69 Jewel Beetle, which was released on May 31, 2023. The album itself serves as a “culmination of his teenage years,” written after his move from Hokkaido to Tokyo. It marks a significant shift in his work, moving from an introspective, nature-inspired style to a more outwardly focused one that grapples with themes of coexistence and societal issues. “Ashita de Mattete” perfectly embodies this transition, offering a message of solidarity and hope in the face of modern isolation.

Reading the Lyrics The song’s lyrics unfold as a reassuring letter, addressing the listener directly with a comforting sense of shared experience.

例えば君と僕が離れていたとしても 僕ら背中合わせで同じ今を生きていて (For example, even if you and I are far apart, we are living the same present, back to back)

This opening couplet immediately establishes the song’s core theme: the power of empathy to bridge physical distance. The image of being “back to back” suggests that even without seeing each other, their paths are parallel and they are facing the same present moment together.

ここに吹く風と君に吹く風がさほど変わらないことが嬉しい (I’m happy that the wind blowing here and the wind blowing on you are not so different)

Here, Yamato uses the universal symbol of wind to illustrate an unspoken connection. The wind, a force of nature, is a common thread that binds people across great distances. It’s a simple yet profound image that offers solace and a sense of shared reality.

だから今はどうか涙を流さずに 心を風にゆだねて (So please, for now, don’t shed a single tear, and entrust your heart to the wind)

This is the song’s emotional turning point, a gentle plea for the listener to find peace amidst their sadness. By “entrusting your heart to the wind,” the song encourages a release of burdens and a trust in the unseen forces that connect us, a trust that a better future is on its way.

Symbolic Motifs The song is rich with symbolic imagery that connects it to the larger themes of the album. The most prominent motifs are “the sky” and “the wind”, which represent shared existence and the unseen forces that bind us. The “scenery you were drawing” and the “tomorrow” that transforms into “something more” also function as powerful symbols of hope and the journey toward self-realization. These motifs provide a sense of universal comfort, making the song’s message of overcoming loneliness applicable to anyone.

Musical Architecture (Information on the song’s specific musical structure is not available in the provided sources. However, the album is described as a fusion of genres with a focus on guitar as a primary mode of expression. ) The album as a whole is characterized by its musical diversity, blending elements of rock, blues, and progressive metal, all underpinned by Mori’s masterful acoustic and electric guitar work. His guitar serves not just as an accompaniment but as a voice that expresses emotions beyond words, giving his work a sense of “necessity to his skill”. This philosophical approach to music likely extends to “Ashita de Mattete,” where the arrangement would be designed to complement and elevate the hopeful lyrics.

Visual Storytelling (No information regarding a music video or live performances for this specific track is available in the provided source material.) The lyrical imagery, however, paints a clear visual narrative of its own: a journey from a solitary state to one of hopeful anticipation, with scenes of wind, open skies, and a promise of reunion.

Reception and Critical Response (The provided source material does not contain specific critical reception or information on how this particular song has been received at live shows.) The album as a whole, however, has been highly praised. Critics note that Mori’s music is “rare” because of how it is “at one with his instrument”. His debut tour,

Mountain & Forest, was also well-received, suggesting that his message of carrying the spirit of his hometown forward resonates with his audience.

Conclusion “Asu de Mattete” is a heartfelt promise and a tender reassurance. It captures the essence of the album’s core message: that while the path from youth to adulthood can be filled with complexity and loneliness, the human spirit is resilient. The song beautifully illustrates that even when separated, we are never truly alone. Its simple yet profound message, delivered with a gentle, poetic touch, transforms the act of waiting into an act of hope, reminding us all that a brighter “tomorrow” is worth moving toward.

Citations

Mori Yamato “Otete Tsunaide” | toyodasha.org, https://toyodasha.org/2023/06/02/moriyamato/
Mori Yamato’s 1st Album Release Announced, Hama Okamoto: “His music, at one with his instrument, is a rarity” – Natalie, https://natalie.mu/music/news/523176
Introducing Guitarist / Singer-Songwriter Mori Yamato!|A-Sketch – note, https://note.com/a_sketch/n/n1983debd78e9
1st Album “69 Jewel Beetle” – Mori Yamato, https://www.yamato-mori.com/discography/album-69jewelbeetle/
Mori Yamato’s 1st Album ’69 Jewel Beetle’ to be released on May 31, with endorsement comments from Hama Okamoto (OKAMOTO’S) and others | Daily News | Billboard JAPAN, https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/124780
Mori Yamato Talks About His 1st Album, Which Casts a Stone on J-POP: From His Path as a Guitar Kid to Finding His Own Emotional Expression – Real Sound, https://realsound.jp/2023/05/post-1338142.html
Young Guitar Prodigy Mori Yamato Talks About His Album Full of Guitar’s Joys…, https://guitarmagazine.jp/interview/2023-0714-yamato-mori/
Turning 20, Moving to the Next Stage. Mori Yamato, First One-Man Live …, https://note.com/a_sketch/n/n2be2329b2bd7
Mori Yamato “Surechigatte Shimatta Hitotachi e” Lyrics – Uta-Net, https://www.uta-net.com/song/321517/
19-Year-Old Mori Yamato’s New Song “Surechigatte Shimatta Hitotachi e” … – A-Sketch, https://www.a-sketch.com/information/mori_news_220630/
Mori Yamato “Taishitamondayo” Lyrics – Uta-Net, https://www.uta-net.com/song/338055/
Mori Yamato’s Song World: Weaving Gentle Music with Acoustic Guitar in Nature|ARC K …, https://note.com/kake_ne01/n/n0ffbfaac2fb5
Mori Yamato’s First Tour 【Mountain & Forest】Tokyo Performance Report, with a Heart for His Hometown | Daily News | Billboard JAPAN, https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/132184/2

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