I've been interested in "Kirikomi-tai" [raiding party/gyokusai/suicide attack] since 1983 when I learned that our style's master-teacher, Nakamura Taizaburo, was a fencing instructor to the 2nd Yamashita Corps Southern Attack Force [第二次山下兵団南方斬込隊].
The other day I found a song for a Kirikomitai!!
We know that I'm no linguist, but I think I've somewhat captured the feeling, so please bear with me:
特別攻撃隊「斬込隊」
Special Attack Squad [Kirikomitai]
1、命一つとかけがへに 百人千人斬ってやる 日本刀と銃剣の
切れ味知れと敵陣深く 今宵又ゆく斬込隊
1. One life and one sword we'll slash a hundred, a thousand men.
Knowing the Japanese sword and bayonet cutting quality,
Go again this evening, deep into the enemy’s camp: KIRIKOMITAI
2、草の葉すれも忍びつつ 身には爆薬手榴弾 二十重の圍 (かこ) みくぐりぬけ敵司令部の眞只中に 散るを覚悟の殴りこみ
2. While sneaking through the grass, surrounded by a multitude of exploding hand grenades -- Go through!
Right in the midst of the enemy's command center, resolve to scatter and strike the enemy.
3、示し合はせた戦友が 戦車を くだくときのこえ あわてふためく敵のなか弾薬砲座 爆破しまわり 縦横無尽に斬りまくる
3. A comrade-in-arms is fighting a tank, the panicking enemy's turret [gun platform] exploding all around.
With reckless abandon, slash through.
4、血潮したたる鉄兜 拭ふは風か椰子の葉か ささげた命ながらえて見かへる空は あかく燃えて 戦友と微笑む月明かり
4. Blood drips down my helmet -- is it wiped off by the wind, or a palm leaf? While sacrificing one's life, look up, the sky is burning; the moonlight smiles upon my comrades.
-- Guy
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