Battotai March

The "Battotai March" is a military song associated with the Imperial Japanese Army. The lyrics evoke a strong sense of duty, loyalty, and the warrior ethos that was deeply ingrained in the Japanese military culture, particularly during the time of the Empire of Japan. The song reflects the perspective of the government forces (the 'official army') and labels their enemies as traitors who cannot be tolerated by heaven or earth, emphasizing the righteousness of their cause.

The song portrays the enemy's leader as a peerless hero, and his followers as brave and resolute warriors. Despite acknowledging the courage of their adversaries, the lyrics suggest that their rebellion is unforgivable and doomed to fail, as history has shown that those who rise against the established order rarely prosper. The march calls for unity and advancement until the enemy is defeated, with soldiers ready to draw their swords and advance with the resolve to face death.

The latter part of the song pays homage to the samurai spirit and the Japanese sword, which had seen a decline since the Meiji Restoration but is now being called upon once again for honor. The lyrics suggest that both friend and foe should be prepared to die by the sword, and that the time to demonstrate the true 'Yamato spirit'—a term often used to describe the Japanese national character—is now. The song ends with a call to action, urging soldiers not to fall behind others and to advance with the readiness to die, reinforcing the values of bravery and sacrifice in the face of conflict.