[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.

Playlist

[Japanese Military Songs and Marches] A collection of famous Japanese pieces deeply etched in the hearts of the Showa and wartime generations
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Warship MarchSetoguchi Fujikichi		History and Characteristics of the Warship March
2	March of the Battleship ShikishimaSetoguchi Fujikichi		A wind band masterpiece that expresses the pride of the sea
3	Battotai (Army Marching Song)Charles Leroux		A rousing marching song of the military band, a prayer for the soldiers
4	March of Advance and PursuitYoshimoto Kōzō		Monumental March of the Naval Band
5	Song to Send Off Departing SoldiersHayashi Isao		Public Contest and Characteristics of Songs to Send Off Departing Soldiers
6	Meeting at ShuishiyingOkanoteiichi		A classic song that sings of soldiers’ reconciliation and longing for peace
7	National Marching SongEguchi Gengo		Eguchi Yashi's dignified march composition
8	March “Warship Flag”Saitō Ushimatsu		A famous march by the Navy Band, composed by Saito Ushimatsu
9	March “Patriotism”Saitō Ushimatsu		A heavy, robust march for the navy, featuring a compelling, majestic melody.
10	Funeral MarchSetoguchi Fujikichi		A masterpiece that arranged Auld Lang Syne into a march
11	Grand Naval March (Big March)kaigun gungakutai		The navy band’s heroic march has a powerful appeal.
12	Month Month Fire Water Wood Gold GoldKasuga Hachirō		"Moon, Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Gold, Gold" is a military song that expresses diligence.
13	Trois morceaux pour soldats (1944)Ifukube Akira		The full scope of Akira Ifukube's heroic march
14	Song of the Greater East Asia Decisive Battlekaigun gungakutai		A nationally popular concert band march from wartime
15	Patriotic MarchFujiyama Ichirō		Patriotic March, Japan’s Second National Anthem, by the Composer of the Warship March
16	Hinomaru MarchOrii Shigeko		The Hinomaru March was widely loved as a national classic.
17	the spirit of the peopleSaitō Ushimatsu		Saito Ushimatsu’s masterpiece march, expressing the Japanese spirit of the early Showa era
18	The Essence of the InfantryNagai Tateko		A military song that conveys the passion and spirit of the Meiji era
19	March in the SnowNagai Tateko		Song of the Snow Soldiers’ Hardships and Hopes
20	Imperial Japanese ArmyFukasawa Toyokichi		A military song portraying the army, imbued with the spirit of the Meiji era
21	Until the day of victoryŌmi Toshiro and others		An anthem of support, filled with gratitude for those who protect the home front during wartime.
22	Song of the Young EaglesSaigō Teruhiko		Recruiting Song of the Naval Aviator Preparatory Trainees
23	Kato Hayabusa Fighter SquadronHaida Katsuhiko		The Kato Air Combat Group’s valiant, outstanding exploits
24	March of My Beloved SteedNoboru Kirishima · Misao Matsubara		A song depicting a bond with a horse on the battlefield
25	Song of the Navy of the Greater East Asia WarKingu dansei gasshoudan		Singing of the Navy’s exploits since the attack on Pearl Harbor
26	Women’s War Service SongPegī Hayama		Description of the Song of the Military Nurse
27	comrade-in-armsShimazu Aya		Young Aya masterfully performs a weighty song.
28	Warriors of the SeaMichi Yatsu・Shōji Tarō		Sailing across the sea to a lively military song
29	Pray at dawnAikawa Yumi		A sorrowful war song sung in a female voice
30	Comrades-in-arms cherry blossomsTsuruta Koji		I was moved by Mr. Tsuruta’s words and felt a sense of remembrance for the war dead.
31	Camping SongMisora Hibari		A sorrowful era that forced young people to die during wartime
32	Song of the Showa Restoration (Song of Young Japan)Roiyaru Naitsu		A song passed down among young army officers in the early Showa era
33	Ah, Divine Wind Special Attack UnitItō Hisao		Sorrow for the purity of youth and the fearfulness of the times
34	Wheat and SoldiersTōkairin Tarō		A song depicting war based on the original work by Ashihei Hino
35	Japan going to the seaNagata Genjirō・Nagato Miho		The navy’s fortitude and confidence in world domination
36	Pacific MarchWatanabe Hamako		Longing for the Navy and Military Songs as National Popular Music
37	Restoration March ~Miya-san, Miya-san~Kingu dansei gasshoudan		Japan’s first military song with bellicose lyrics
38	Militarist Lullabyshiomazaru		A mother sings to her child of the strength of their soldier father
39	Little Cedar of the MountainAnzai Aiko · hoka		An encouraging song about a small cedar growing splendidly
40	sinking with a bang; total destruction (esp. of a warship)kyū kaigun gungakutai yūshi		They drew courage by humorously singing about ships sinking under bombardment.
41	Praying to the vast skyMatsubara Misao, hoka		A sad song of a mother praying for her son's success
42	Song of the Great Air FleetNoriaki Fujii · Shizuko Chiba		A song in which an eagle soaring in the sky signifies hope
43	That’s the spirit!Kirishima Noboru		Gratitude and apology protect a nation
44	Song of the Wild EagleTōkyō Konsei Gasshōdan		The red dragonfly song is valiant and humorous.
45	Rabaul Little SongTabata Yoshio		A song of my father's, beloved on the battlefield