Photo Credits: forzadelpassato
Some bands don’t simply create music—they build an atmosphere that lingers long after the final note. Hailing from Japan, Kokeshi has carved out a distinctive place in the metal scene by fusing the intensity of blackgaze with haunting horror-inspired aesthetics and deeply emotional storytelling.
With powerful performances and a sound that balances brutality with beauty, Kokeshi continues to captivate audiences both in Japan and around the world. In this edition of City Stories, we sit down with the band to discuss their musical journey, creative vision, the inspiration behind their unique style, and what fans can look forward to next.
Join us as we delve into the world of Kokeshi and discover the stories behind the music.
For readers discovering you for the first time, could you introduce yourselves and tell us what kind of band Kokeshi is?
We are Kokeshi, a band based in Tokyo, Japan. Our music blends darkness, beauty, eeriness, and a heavy atmosphere inspired by traditional Asian scales and tonalities. Through this unique soundscape, we create immersive and unsettling experiences. If you’re not fond of horror or the uncanny, our music may not be for you.
How would you describe your music and the band’s identity to someone hearing you for the first time?
Our sound often feels like something echoing from a shrine—or perhaps music that could summon a malevolent spirit. The guitar phrases and arpeggios avoid the scales commonly used in rock and metal. Although our music is heavy, it isn’t defined by fast distortion. Instead, our individuality comes from the tension between tempos, the lingering resonance of sounds, and the vivid sense of life that emerges from that atmosphere.
How was Kokeshi formed, and how did the members come together?
The instrumental members had been friends for many years and originally formed the band together. Our vocalist later joined through an online musician recruitment platform. In the beginning, there were no Japanese horror elements in our music at all. However, as the guitarist’s distinctly Japanese phrasing blended with the vocalist’s voice and stage presence, the foundation of what Kokeshi is today gradually took shape.
The name “Kokeshi” carries strong cultural associations in Japan. What does it mean to the band?
In Japan’s Tohoku region, there is an urban legend tied to times of famine, suggesting that kokeshi dolls were created as memorials for children who had passed away. We were fascinated by this haunting story, which inspired the band’s name.
What we love about the image of the kokeshi doll is its duality—it can appear cute and comforting from one perspective, yet unsettling and eerie from another. That contrast closely reflects the spirit of our music. Additionally, the hometown of our member Aki, who named the band, is known for its kokeshi craftsmanship, making the doll a familiar and meaningful symbol in her life.
What kind of first impression would you like new listeners to have when they hear your music?
We simply create and release the music we want to make, so we encourage listeners to experience it freely and form their own interpretations. While many people associate us with Japanese horror, our music is also characterized by intense shifts between stillness and chaos. Through these contrasts, we hope listeners can sense the emotional turbulence of living beings and the instability of the world itself.
Some of our songs may even have a cleansing or calming effect, almost like a form of emotional release. If listeners find comfort, reflection, or even a sense of therapy in our music, we think that would be incredibly interesting and rewarding.
Your music blends multiple genres into a unique sound. How does that come together?
We listen to a wide variety of music, but what shapes our sound is taking the elements we love most from each genre. We sample those influences and reinterpret them through the lens of kokeshi. In a way, the process is similar to a DJ creating a mix—combining different sounds into something entirely our own.
Can you walk us through your songwriting and recording process?
Most songs begin with a guitar arpeggio or riff, which becomes the foundation for the rest of the arrangement. We first create a simple demo with guitar and programmed drums, then share it with the rest of the band before moving into full-scale songwriting.
For recording, we start by tracking the drums and bass together. After that, we record the guitars and vocals. Finally, we listen for anything the song still needs and add extra guitar layers or vocal parts until it feels complete.
Do your songs usually begin with a concept, a sound, or an emotion?
Adel (Guitar):
These days, most of our songs begin with a concept. Once I can visualize a scene in my mind, I search for the sounds that belong in that world. Although we mainly use traditional band instrumentation, the atmosphere we’re aiming for is often closer to a film or video game soundtrack.
I don’t write the lyrics, so my role is to paint the scenery while intentionally leaving emotions out. I feel that this creates a better balance once Boumu’s vocals and lyrics are added
Nana (Vocals):
After Akou shares the concept with me, I build a story around it through my own interpretation. I write lyrics from different perspectives—sometimes through the eyes of a character, other times as an observer describing the scene. Once the overall direction and key phrases take shape, I share them with Akou, who then develops the song’s structure and guitar arpeggios around them.
How does each member contribute to the songwriting process?
Songwriting begins with discussions between Nana and Adel, who develop both the concept and the lyrics. Once the demo is complete, Akou and Kazuma head into the studio to refine the song’s framework.
Since we only have one guitarist, the bass often plays a unique role. It not only provides the low end, but also expresses melodies hidden beneath the guitar chords and even serves as a source of atmospheric effects beyond its traditional role.
How do you balance chaos and harmony within your music?
The contrast between stillness and intensity is what matters most to us. We’re always drawn to creating worlds filled with imbalance—like the calm before a storm or a beautiful flower blooming in the depths of hell. That tension between opposing elements is central to our music.
Your visuals often carry horror-inspired elements. What influences that aesthetic?
We believe kokeshi’s sound naturally complements the atmosphere of Asian horror. It wasn’t something we deliberately forced—it emerged as we pursued the solemn and spiritual world we wanted to express.
We believe kokeshi’s sound naturally complements the atmosphere of Asian horror. It wasn’t something we deliberately forced—it emerged as we pursued the solemn and spiritual world we wanted to express.
Many extreme artists have long used grotesque imagery as a form of horror, but very few focus equally on moments of silence, purity, and spiritual cleansing. We believe that’s one of the qualities that makes kokeshi unique.
How important is visual expression to the band’s identity?
It’s incredibly important. Everything—from our CD artwork and event flyers to our apparel designs—is directly connected to our music. We put just as much effort into our visual presentation as we do into creating music, so we hope fans look forward to every new artist photo and cover artwork we release.
Do you see your live performances as an extension of your music, or as a separate form of artistic expression?
Live performances are where we can deliver our most raw and entertaining expression. They’re just as important as creating music itself, and we see them as a natural extension of our artistic vision.
Is there a consistent story or message that connects your music and visuals?
While each album has its own overarching theme, one core philosophy always remains the same: “dark, beautiful, fragile, and at times intense.” That central idea never changes, but the way we express it evolves with each release. Every album and every song tells its own story while staying true to that core identity.
Which artists, genres, or films have had the greatest influence on your music?
Adel (Guitar):
TOOL, KOЯN, Dissection, AMENRA, and dark, emotionally heavy music from around the world have all influenced me. I’m especially drawn to artists who sing as if they’re praying. Among Japanese bands, COCK ROACH has been a major influence. I also enjoy the hip-hop collective MSC and hard techno in club music. As for film directors, Takeshi Kitano and David Fincher have had a huge impact on me. In fact, the font used in kokeshi’s logo was inspired by Kitano’s film Sonatine.
Nana (Vocals):
I love artists with distinctive vocal styles, such as Marilyn Manson, Cradle of Filth, and Cocco. I’m also inspired by Japanese films that capture a uniquely unsettling atmosphere, as well as the works of Studio Ghibli and Osamu Tezuka. Our upcoming song, “Ningen ni Kaeru”, tells a story that could almost be described as a “dark Ghibli.”
How do you feel your music has evolved since your earliest releases?
In our early days, we were aiming for something similar to a Japanese version of Oathbreaker. Back then, our songs and live performances felt like mysterious, unexplained incidents.
After releasing our second album, Reikoku, our musical identity became much clearer. That’s when the image and sound that now define kokeshi—deeply connected to the atmosphere of Japanese horror—really came into focus.
Which song best represents kokeshi today?
We believe our upcoming single, “Ningen ni Kaeru,” scheduled for release in July, best represents who kokeshi is today.
How do you feel about the response you’ve received from international listeners?
We’ve received several pieces of fan art over the years, and many of them were created by fans overseas. We also feel that audiences outside Japan bring incredible passion to our live performances. Knowing that there are devoted listeners all around the world is truly rewarding. No matter the country, we’ve especially noticed the deep respect people have for Boumu.
Do you have plans to connect with more fans outside Japan?
We’ve already performed in several Asian countries, and we’re planning to play in Europe and other English-speaking regions in the near future. If you’d like to send us a message, feel free to reach out through our Instagram.
What can fans look forward to from kokeshi in the future?
As mentioned earlier, we’re planning to release our new single, “Ningen ni Kaeru,” in July. While our previous single, “Rokudō no Tsuji,” portrayed the story of a modern Japanese woman consumed by hatred, the new song explores a world after civilization’s collapse. Rather than depicting immediate fear, it focuses on the haunting beauty of a post-apocalyptic landscape. We’re working hard on it, and we hope everyone looks forward to its release.
From powerful performances to atmospheric music that blends beauty and darkness, Kokeshi continues to captivate audiences around the globe.
Show your support by following their official social media accounts for the latest music releases, live announcements, behind-the-scenes content, and more!
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