ASAGI's 'Tenringoku' Music Video Blends Folklore and Cosmic Imagery
ASAGI released a visually striking music video for 'Tenringoku,' drawing from Japanese mythology to tell the story of a golden three-legged crow serving the sun. The single, which dropped July 3, features guest drummer HIROKI and blends traditional Japanese elements with fierce vocals.
ASAGI has unveiled a mythologically inspired music video for "Tenringoku" (天輪獄), transforming Japanese folklore into a cosmic visual experience. The single arrived July 3 and now showcases a video that puts viewers inside the mind of a three-legged golden crow—a celestial creature bound to eternal servitude under the sun.
In the video, ASAGI embodies this mythical being, complete with black wings and chains, as solar flares and expansive space imagery emphasize the weight of the crow's burden. The narrative follows the creature as it uses its talons to capture sinners, exploring themes of freedom and imprisonment through both visuals and sound. English subtitles make the folklore-driven storytelling accessible to international viewers.
Musically, "Tenringoku" balances intensity with introspection. ASAGI's fierce vocals match the intimidating subject matter, yet the melody carries a sentimental undertone as the crow's backstory unfolds. The track layers traditional Japanese instrumentation with modern production, with drummer HIROKI (formerly of rock band D) among the featured guest musicians.
This release builds on ASAGI's solo career trajectory. "Tenringoku" shares thematic ground with their 2006 debut solo single "Corvinus," which also explored captivity and liberation. Both tracks examine similar emotional territory through distinct sonic and visual languages, offering fans a deeper look at ASAGI's artistic evolution over two decades.
The momentum continues immediately. ASAGI and HIROKI have another collaboration on the horizon: "NAKED HEART IGNITION" debuts at a live show on July 20 in Tokyo, marking HIROKI's birthday. The single will later become available through ASAGI's official online shop, with the exact date still to be announced. Both artists have already revealed new looks ahead of the release, teasing what's next for this partnership.
For those wanting to revisit ASAGI's earlier work, the "Corvinus" music video is also available on YouTube, providing context for how far the artist has come visually and sonically.