eyes cast down

Sea of Fertility was planned as a full album inspired by Yukio Mishima’s tetralogy of novels, with one track to represent each book. This piece was to reflect the tetralogy’s nihilistic conclusion, The Decay of the Angel.

The album never really fructified, so I am releasing this piece on its own. An elegy for lost souls, dead cultures, and a world – all facing the pitiless choice of loving rebirth or angry self-destruction.

devouring oceans
my detachment: truth or dream?
ages of madness

Chako (of the Japanese duo Jack or Jive) has long been one of my favorite singers, with a rare melodic gift. It has been a dream of mine for years to feature her on a track. Her understated yet impassioned, fully-committed performance entirely captures the moods I was seeking, and raises this piece’s intensity to match that of the personal requiem Like a Riven Cloud from the album The Separate Ones.

Big gratitude to Chako and Makoto (Chako’s husband, bandmate and co-producer) for their years of friendship and great music. It was an honor to work with them on this project!

The release date (the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima Atrocity) was chosen for its historical and thematic significance.