Umi Yukaba

"Umi Yukaba" (海行かば) is a Japanese patriotic song (gunka) based on a chōka poem by Ōtomo no Yakamochi in the Man'yōshū (poem 4094).

History

As set to music in 1937 by Kiyoshi Nobutoki (信時 潔, Nobutoki Kiyoshi) it has been popular during and also after World War II. The lyrics are also used in the song Gunkan kōshinkyoku. Umi Yukaba was sung before takeoff by many Kamikaze suicide attack pilots in the final stages of World War II. After Japan surrendered in 1945, Umi Yukaba and other gunka were banned by the U.S. occupation forces. Those caught singing or listening to it would be punished, and their music and infantry confiscated. However, the ban was lifted and the song is now played by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.[1]

Lyrics

  • Umi Yukaba is also the name of a 1983 Japanese film.
  • "Umi Yukaba" is featured in the 1970 film, Tora! Tora! Tora!.

See also

References

  1. ↑ idealjapan (16 November 2010). "第五十九回掃海殉職者追悼式　Video 07　　海行かば" – via YouTube.
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