 The first lyrics were changed during the Kamakura period, while the rest of the lyrics stayed the same.Because the lyrics were sung on formal occasions, such as birthdays, there was no sheet music for it until the 19th century.In 1869, John William Fenton, a visiting Irish military band leader, realized there was no national anthem in Japan, and suggested to Iwao Ōyama, an officer of the Satsuma Clan, that one be created.