[Japanese Military Songs and Marches] A collection of famous Japanese pieces deeply etched in the hearts of the Showa and wartime generations
The rousing “Warship March” by Fujiyoshi Setoguchi, Koji Tsuruta’s “Sakura of the Same Class” echoing in the spring as cherry blossoms fall, and Aya Shimazu’s “Comrade” that pierces the heart with thoughts of fallen friends.
In Japan’s military songs and marches reside pride in the homeland, the resolve of soldiers heading to the front, and deep prayers in remembrance of comrades who never returned.
These melodies, at times powerful and at times sorrowful, pass down the memory of war and ask us to reflect on the preciousness of peace.
Here, we introduce gem-like masterpieces that remain etched in many hearts even today, alongside Japan’s history.
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[Japanese Military Songs and Marches] A collection of famous Japanese pieces deeply etched in the hearts of the Showa and wartime generations (1–10)
March “Patriotism”Ushimatsu Saitō
This march, with a powerful wind band melody ringing out, was composed by Ushimatsu Saito in December 1937 for the Navy Band.
Its dignified, weighty atmosphere and the solemn lyrical melody of the middle section are beautifully balanced, and its high level of craftsmanship led to its selection as an official piece jointly adopted by the Navy and Army.
An SP record was released at the time by Polydor, featuring a performance by the Imperial Japanese Navy Band under the baton of Seigo Naitō.
From the wartime period through the postwar years, it was widely performed at ceremonies and events throughout the Asia-Pacific region and became familiar to local audiences in places like Indonesia and Palau.
The trio section incorporates Tokichi Setoguchi’s nationally beloved song “Aikoku Koshinkyoku” (Patriotic March), the composer also known for “Gunkan March.” This is a must-hear for those who wish to savor the rich sonorities and solemn melodic beauty of wind band music, as well as for anyone interested in the history of Japanese military music.
National Marching SongGengo Eguchi
Set to a valiant march, this piece conveys a powerful and gallant spirit.
Within its grand military music—shaped by Yashi Eguchi’s own experiences—are infused both a longing for his hometown and a wish for peace.
The full mastery of this great composer, who was active across a wide spectrum from his days in the Navy Band to classical and popular music, is unmistakably on display here as well.
Composed in 1925, during his period of service with a military band, the work was highly regarded as a dignified piece among marches.
Its stately character makes it well-suited for solemn occasions such as ceremonies and commemorative events.
Funeral MarchFujikichi Setoguchi
A dignified and ceremonious masterpiece of wind band music takes on a splendid form at the hands of Tokichi Setoguchi, a leading military musician of Japan’s Meiji era.
Elevating the familiar melody of “Auld Lang Syne” into a solemn march, this work was included on an SP record introduced as a new release at the main Tenshodo store in 1897.
Performed by the German Polydor Military Band, it unfolds in a powerful Western-style three-part structure tinged with melancholy, fully drawing out the virtues of the graded wind band instrumentation—from 12 to 45 players—that Setoguchi valued.
To this day, it retains an undimmed allure as a piece that resonates in the heart during ceremonies and formal occasions where an atmosphere of gravitas is desired.
[Japanese Military Songs and Marches] A Collection of Beloved Japanese Classics Deeply Etched in the Hearts of the Showa and Wartime Generations (11–20)
Song to Send Off Departing SoldiersIsao Hayashi
Published in 1939, “Song to Send Off Soldiers Departing for the Front” is a representative military song with both bright and valiant melody and lyrics.
Although there had been military songs that were widely sung before it, there were few specifically for departures, and many older ones either reused previous lyrics or were in minor keys that sounded like a losing battle, creating demand for a new song.
The Greater Japan Oratorical Society Kodansha (now Kodansha) held a public contest, receiving as many as 128,592 submissions, indicating extremely high interest.
The singer of this piece, Isao Hayashi, was reportedly also the winning composer from the contest, and his ringing voice is well suited to boosting wartime morale.
The song strongly projects the image of the ideal Japanese man and stirs the troops’ spirits.
The chorus further conveys the gallant resolve of those heading to the battlefield.
Trois morceaux pour soldats (1944)Akira Ifukube
Composed by Akira Ifukube in 1944 at the age of 30, this piece is a valiant march that opens with a powerful fanfare.
Although it was created at the request of the military, the distinctly Ifukube-esque Eastern melodies and dynamic orchestral sonorities are sure to stir the listener’s spirit.
Long regarded as a “phantom work,” it gained wider recognition when it was included on the 1995 album The Art of Akira Ifukube 3: Dance.
This work is recommended for those interested in Japanese music history, or for anyone who wants to experience the origins of the Ifukube sound that would later inform his film scores.
You’ll surely be moved by the strength born in a time of hardship.
the spirit of the peopleUshimatsu Saitō
A masterpiece by Ushimatsu Saito that brilliantly captures the spirit of early Showa-era Japan through music.
Completed in May 1935, this work is recorded as Saito’s second march.
The magnificent sonorities woven by brass and percussion—so characteristic of a naval band—stir the listener’s soul, while the vivid contrast with the gentle melody in the middle section highlights the hallmarks of Saito’s style, later praised as the “Shikakura-bushi.” The sophisticated structure, which adds a third march to the traditional march form, is also not to be missed.
Shortly after its composition, it was widely performed at naval ceremonies and the like, surely inspiring people of the time.
Its heroic performance is included in the album “Reissue! Master Marches of Prewar Japan: Naval Band Edition,” and it continues to be loved by many across generations.
This is a piece I highly recommend to anyone who wants to experience a valiant strain etched in the history of Japanese wind music, or who is seeking music that conveys the spirit of the era.
Its powerful melody will surely leave a deep impression on your heart.
The Essence of the InfantryKenko Nagai
A gem of a piece by Kenkichi Nagai that conveys the romance and spirit of the Meiji era.
Premiered in 1911 at an event of the Army Central Cadet School, this song marries the youthful lyrics of Akikatsu Kato with Nagai’s rousing, valiant touch.
Its melody—powerful yet tinged with melancholy—strikes the listener’s heart, vividly evoking the resolve of soldiers of the time and their feelings for their homeland.
It has been included on releases such as the album “Military Songs: ‘Ah, the Army’” and the CD “Military Songs and Wartime Ballads (Limited Edition Special Price).” Some may also recall a scene in the film “Oba: The Last Samurai” where this melody was used to great effect.
Recommended for those who wish to experience a chapter of Japanese history through music or who seek a stirring, powerful tune that moves the soul.