Translation: The Emperor's army, a million strong, set out to punish the powerful Russia.
On the battlefield, in the midst of the sieges, the bodies of the dead piled up like mountains.
I am ashamed to show my face to the fathers who remain back home,
though we few return today in triumph.
Maresuke Nogi, the Japanese commander of Russo-Japanese war, won because he charged into the enemy's strong defensive position, but lost many soldiers. Among them was his son. He expressed his mixed feelings at that time by writing poetry. (He also had a talent for writing poetry.)
皇師百萬征強虜
野戰攻城屍作山
愧我何顏看父老
凱歌今日幾人還
Translation: The Emperor's army, a million strong, set out to punish the powerful Russia.
On the battlefield, in the midst of the sieges, the bodies of the dead piled up like mountains.
I am ashamed to show my face to the fathers who remain back home,
though we few return today in triumph.
Maresuke Nogi, the Japanese commander of Russo-Japanese war, won because he charged into the enemy's strong defensive position, but lost many soldiers. Among them was his son. He expressed his mixed feelings at that time by writing poetry. (He also had a talent for writing poetry.)