iyomante

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iyomante is a Japanese rock duo formed by Kazunori Kawamura (vocals, songwriting, arrangement) from Urawa, Saitama, and Gakuya Takahashi (songwriting) from Hamura, Tokyo. The two first crossed paths as high school senior and junior—but it wasn’t until years later, after graduation, that they reconnected by chance. Both were independently searching for musical collaborators, and that unexpected reunion led to the birth of iyomante. The name “iyomante” comes from an ancient Ainu ritual known as the “bear sending,” practiced by the Indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido. It’s a ceremony of respect and farewell—honoring the spirit of life and sending it off with gratitude. The band chose this name to reflect their appreciation for transient beauty and unspoken emotions. Inspired by the raw, melodic spirit of 1990s rock—artists like Tamio Okuda, the pillows, Oasis, and Blur—their sound blends gritty guitar textures with melodies that evoke a deep, sometimes unplaceable nostalgia.