Janne Da Arc (ジャンヌダルク) was a japanese rock band. They were able to mix an e… Read Full Bio ↴Janne Da Arc (ジャンヌダルク) was a japanese rock band. They were able to mix an edgy, crisp sound with catchy melodies－satisfying both hardcore rock/metal fans and those who prefer simple melody.

members :
Yasu (currently in Acid Black Cherry) as vocalist
ｙｏｕ on guitar
松本和之/DAMIJAW (Kazuyuki Matsumoto / ka-yu) on bass
ｋｉｙｏ on keyboards
shuji on drums

Osaka 1989. At the age of 14, Yasu and Ka-yu, who went to school together, decide to form a band. The two recruit Kiyo and Chiba. The formation is Yasu on vocals, Ka-yu on bass, Chiba on drums and Kiyo on keyboard. For unknown reasons, Ka-yu then leaves the band and is replaced by Ino. In 1990, the band is given the name Okyan Teiisu.

In 1991, you joins the group as the new guitarist. The name Janne Da Arc is now adopted, inspired by a character from the manga Violence Jack, created by Go Nagai.

Chiba leaves the group for several months in 1992, and Shuji becomes the backup drummer for the band until Chiba returns. In that same year, Ka-yu returns, and the group begins their time as an indies band in the Japanese rock scene, recording their first demo tape in November. Two more demo tapes follow in 1993 and 1994. In 1995, Chiba leaves the band for good and Shuji becomes the permanent drummer.

In 1997, the 4 song demo tape Resist is recorded. Starting in 1998, we see the bands first CD releases: a trio of mini albums. The releases started with Dearly, followed by a re-recorded version of Resist (with 2 new songs), and finally CHAOS MODE in March of 1999.

After the release of CHAOS MODE, 1999 also brought about a turning point in the history of Janne Da Arc. The band was finally signed to a major label, Avex Trax, and their debut single as a major group, RED ZONE was released that May. The band then embarks upon their first tour as a major group, CHAOS ZONE. 2000 brings their first major album, D.N.A..

From then on, they were a major player in the rock scene as one of the best selling bands.

On January 26, 2007 the band announced that Janne Da Arc would be put on hiatus and the band members would be working on their solo projects.

仮面
Janne Da Arc Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

歓喜の仮面 (歓喜の仮面)‥‥
孤独を避けるため
怒りの仮面 (怒りの仮面)‥‥
弱い心守るため
涙の仮面 (涙の仮面)......
優しさ見せるため
笑顔の仮面 (笑顔の仮面)‥‥
僕はなぜか泣いている

声を殺して耳をふさいで
目を閉じて
人に合わせて心閉ざして
さえいれば
恐さなどない傷みさえない
嫌われない
でもそんな時優しく君が
胸の扉を叩いた...
「誰も皆、強くなんかない
人に愛され、愛すように
一人では何も出来ない
それは"弱さ"じゃなく
"生きている意味"」

仮面の下の (仮面の下の)‥‥
本当の顔はどれ?
仮面の下の (仮面の下の)‥‥
僕の顔はどんな顔?
乾いた砂に姿を変えた胸の中
夜の暗闇一人になると雨が降る
息が出来ないでも外せない
動けない
でもそんな時優しく君が
仮面を外してくれた...
「何気ない言葉で笑い
人を傷つけ、傷ついて
間違いは過ちじゃない

"傷み""喜び"それが
"生きている意味"」

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Janne Da Arc's song "仮面" (Kamen) explore the idea of wearing masks to hide and protect one's true emotions. The first verse talks about different masks: the mask of joy to avoid loneliness, the mask of anger to protect a weak heart, the mask of tears to show kindness, and the mask of a smile despite crying inside. The singer explains how they shut themselves off from others, pretending to be what everyone expects them to be, in order to avoid fear or pain and to be liked. However, someone kind reaches out to them and taps on the door of their heart, reminding them that nobody is truly strong, that it is important to be loved and to love in return, and that one cannot do anything alone. They realize that vulnerability and the ability to feel emotions are not weaknesses but the essence of being alive.

These lyrics convey the message that wearing masks and hiding true emotions can prevent genuine connections with others and hinder personal growth. It emphasizes the importance of embracing vulnerability, acknowledging and expressing one's true feelings, and understanding that the ability to love and be loved is what gives life meaning.

Line by Line Meaning

歓喜の仮面 (歓喜の仮面)
A mask of joy (a mask of joy)

孤独を避けるため
To avoid loneliness

怒りの仮面 (怒りの仮面)
A mask of anger (a mask of anger)

弱い心守るため
To protect a weak heart

涙の仮面 (涙の仮面)......
A mask of tears (a mask of tears)

優しさ見せるため
To show kindness

笑顔の仮面 (笑顔の仮面)
A mask of smiles (a mask of smiles)

僕はなぜか泣いている
I don't know why, but I'm crying

声を殺して耳をふさいで
Silencing my voice, covering my ears

目を閉じて
Closing my eyes

人に合わせて心閉ざして
Conforming to others, closing my heart