"Battōtai" (抜刀隊) is a Japanese military march (gunka) from the Meiji era. The lyrics were written by Masakazu Toyama, and the music was composed by French soldier Charles Leroux in 1885. The march is named after the police brigades of the Meiji era.[1][2][3][4] It was first published that year.
The Meiji era was the period when Japan was obligated from the United States to open up to the world after centuries of voluntary isolation, and thus "Battōtai" became the first Japanese song with Western musical influences. This march didn't garner much attention until World War II where it was considered as the military anthem by many soldiers. This song was meant to be the Japanese version of "Die Wacht am Rhein".
Lyrics[]
Battotai - Imperial Japanese Army March
Japanese original[]
| Kanji | Rōmaji | Kiriji | IPA transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
我は官軍我が敵は |
Ware wa kangun waga teki wa |
Варева кангун вага текива |
[ɰa.ɾe.ɰa kaŋ.ɡɯɴ ɰa.ga te.ki.ɰa] |
English version[]
Loyal to the emperor, we're his soldiers all
Ready for battle and not afraid to fall
The enemy is led by a man of great acclaim
No other general is equal to his fame
And those who follow him aren't afraid of death
Fiercer than tigers to their final breath!
But their rebellion shall heaven not allow!
All who spurn the emperor, will be made to bow
Those who raise rebellion's flag never will prevail!
Cast against our righteous might, they cannot avail!
Now 'till the enemy is laid low in defeat
We will march with spirits high and never sound retreat!
Onwards like a blazing sword, forward to the fray!
Being not afraid to die, we'll carry the day!
As it was before, in the storied days of old
When noble samurai braved the field so bold
The proudly wielded sword, once a relic of the past
Now is made sharp again, and unsheated at last!
So take a warning now, whether friend or foe!
Those wishing for a fight will be laid low!
But those with spirits pure, be ye not afraid!
For death has no power over those who wield the blade!
Now's the time for gallant deeds, so do not fear to fall!
Marching to our destinies, ready one and all!
Now 'till the enemy is laid low in defeat
We will march with spirits high and never sound retreat!
Onwards like a blazing sword, forward to the fray!
Being not afraid to die, we'll carry the day![7]
References[]
- ↑ 堀内敬三編纂『童謡唱歌名曲全集続篇・明治回顧軍歌唱歌名曲選』京文社、1932年。
- ↑ 倉田喜弘、1994、「民衆歌謡：近世末期から近代への流れ」、『成立と展開』2、 東京書籍〈岩波講座 日本の音楽・アジアの音楽〉 ISBN 4000103628 pp. 153-159.
- ↑ 抜刀隊と扶桑歌を合わせた行進曲の呼び名は「陸軍分列行進曲」「抜刀隊行進曲」「観兵式行進曲」「扶桑歌行進曲」など一定していない。
- ↑ 堀内敬三「ヂンタ以來」59ページ アオイ書房 1935年
- ↑ 新体詩抄. 初編 - 国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション
- ↑ (zh.) 關於該詞，是在明治15年出版的「新體詩抄」所刊載，為外山正一所作。
- ↑ Battotai (English Version) (2022-07-04). Performed by The Southern Singer via YouTube.