Battōtai (song)

Battotai

National anthem of the Japanese Army and Police Force
Lyrics	Masakazu Toyama
Music	Charles Leroux, 1885-86
Published	1912
Audio sample
1938 Performance by the NHK Symphony Orchestra file help

Battotai, also known as the Japanese Army Branch March (抜刀隊, Battō-tai or 陸軍分列行進曲 Rikugun bunretsu kōshinkyoku) is a Japanese March composed by Charles Leroux in 1912, and is used by the Japanese Army, Police and formerly the Imperial Army of Japan.

Background

During the fierce Battle of Tabaruzaka the Imperial Government pulled an unexpected move, and initiated hand-to-hand combat. The name derives from the Sword-Wielding Troops (or Battotai) units that were used during the engagement.

Lyrics

Japanese (Kana & Kanji)	Japanese (Rōmaji)	English Translation
我は官軍我敵は 天地容れざる朝敵ぞ 敵の大將たる者は 古今無雙の英雄で 之に從ふは 共に慓悍决死の士 鬼神に恥ぬ勇あるも 天の許さぬ叛逆を 起しゝ者は昔より 榮えし例あらざるぞ 敵の亡ぶる夫迄は 進めや進め諸共に 玉ちる劔拔き連れて 死ぬる覺悟で進むべし 皇國の風と武士の 其身を護る靈の 維新このかた廢れたる 日本刀の今更に 又世に出づる身の譽 敵も身方も諸共に 刃の下に死ぬべきぞ 大和魂ある者の 死ぬべき時は今なるぞ 人に後れて恥かくな 敵の亡ぶる夫迄は 進めや進め諸共に 玉ちる劔拔き連れて 死ぬる覺悟で進むべし	Ware wa kan gun wagateki wa Tenchiirezaru choutekizo Teki no taishou taru mono wa Kokon musou no eiyuu de Kore ni shitagou tsu wa mono wa Tomo ni hyoukan kesshinoshi Kijinni hajinu yuuaru mo Tenno yurusanu hangyaku wo Okoseshi mono wa mukashi yori Sakae shitame shi arazaru zo Teki no horoburu sore made wa Susume ya susume moro tomo ni Tamachiru tsurugi nuki tsurete Shisuru kaku gode susumubeshi Mikuni no fuuto mono no fu wa Sonomi wo mamoru tamashii no Ishiin kono kata suta retaru Nippon to no ima sara ni Mata yo niizuru mi no homare Teki mo mika tamo moro tomo ni Yaeba no shita ni shisubeki ni Yamato-damashii aru mono wo Shisubeki toki wa ima naru zo Hi toni oku rete ha jikaku na Teki no horoburu sore made wa Susume ya susume moro tomo ni Tamachiru tsurugi nuki tsurete Shisuru kaku gode susumubeshi	We are the Imperial Force and whoever disobeys us Are the foes forsaken by the Heaven and the Earth. The head of the enemy, a legendary hero Compared to none throughout history. All the soldiers who follow him Are the fearless warriors prepared to die. Although their courage rivals the fiercest god Whoever rebel against the Imperials. Those the heavens do not tolerate, None of them have prospered through all ages. Until our enemies fall, Go forth, go forth, all together! Unsheathing your swords glistening like a gem, Go forth, resolved to die! The spirits who have defended the custom Of the Imperial Land and the Samurais’ bodies. After the Restoration, all of them remain abolished, But we are still able to brandish our Japanese Katanas. We are honored to come back to life, All of our friends and foes. They must fall beneath our blades, For whoever has the Yamato spirits. Now is the time to die, Do not bring yourself shame with delay. Until our enemies fall, Go forth, go forth, all together! Unsheathing your swords glistening like a gem, Go forth, resolved to die!