All military officials inherit the task of instilling in their troops a fervent will to begin and continue fighting. To the American and Allied troops, the kamikaze effort to die for their emperor and their country became at the least bizzare if not horrifying, yet several of these personal accounts reveal, along with their extreme loyalty, a degree of sympathy, sensitivity, and in short, a more humanizing character .

The performances of many of these pilots reflect the ideals and expectations that were dictated to them by their commanding officers. These officials had a substantial effect on these youth. When told by his mother via mail that he was throwing his life away, one young man wrote,"Let's be great, manly and short-lived!" The following are a few examples of speeches made by superior officers:

" ...a sublime sense of self-sacrifice must guide you throughout life and death. Do not think of death as you use up every ounce of your strength to fulfill your duties. Make it your joy to use every last bit of your physical and spiritual strength in what you do. Do not fear to die for the cause of everlasting justice. Do not stay alive in dishonor. Do not die in such a way as to leave a bad name behind you!" - General Tojo

"...perform your duty to the very limit of your ability...do not throw away your lives but rather deal the enemy a deadly blow!" - Admiral Toyoda

"He (pilot) was quite youthful, with an upright face, clear, flawless eyes, innocent pink lips, rising suns dyed on his sleeve and headband, a brilliant, red cord holding his luminous night watch, light brown shoes with his name on them, a Naval Air Force cap shaped like a helmet, and a Japanese sword with blue rivet on the hilt. His uniform perfectly set off the handsome, dashing figure of the young samurai in the sky."
- Admiral Kariya when asked to describe an exemplary kamikaze pilot

"You are already gods! Being gods, you must be beyond all desires. The only thing you may regret is that you will not know if your attack was successful or not. Do not worry. A confirming plane will report the results, and I will personally report the results to your souls, and to the emperor as well. So feel confident, and go!"
- Lt. Keichi Itoh

"The crisis facing us is not one that can be solved by the navy minister, the chief of Naval General Staff, or an admiral. It is only you innocent and energetic young men who can do that! There is nothing greater than to be born a man." - Lt.Seki

At the same time, certain officials expressed sorrow, sympathy, frankness, and other more human characteristics.

" Considering the current situation of war, I cannot help but repress my tears and approve the plan. But you must promise me that you will respect the free will of the plane crews. They must not be forced under any circumstances."
-Admiral Oikawa

One former pilot recalled the actions of his wing commander:
" Those of you who have single parents or who have no siblings or are first sons must leave now... (to the rest of you) You are absolutely free to decide on an individual basis if you want to volunteer for this drastic measure. But I appeal to the best in you as navy pilots...."

" This is not like a suicide, because in suicide there is some measure of free will with respect to how and when! In this case you are simply sent on a mission to die."
- Lt. Kenji Niwa

The responses made by the fighter pilots are varied. At one extreme, a few young volunteers urgently asked their officer if signing their names in blood would guarantee them initiation into the 721st Naval Flying Corps. However, on being commended to a higher rank, a fellow pilot was quoted:

- "You can call me a traitor if you want, but I wish the Headquarters would cancel this damn Ohka operation! I'm not afraid of dying , but do you really think it is possible for the Bettys to get near the enemy fleets? Do you believe the fighters can actually protect us? I just can't stand the idea of leading my men on attacks that won't do any good…My men, the ones we have been living with, are being escorted to their deaths in the bloodiest and most cold-hearted way possible. Do you think we can leave them and return again and again? On my first mission I'm going to crash-dive myself. There is no other way."

Another pilot expressed, upon his appointment to squadron leader, the fraternal love between him and his fellow pilots. More importantly, he comments on the waywardness of asking men to plunge to their deaths.

- " In that case, it makes more sense for the leader to dive first to set an example. I will not accept a role in which I can't fight along with my own men. I'd rather have some older person assume this task. Please send me back to conventional fighters."
- Yanagisawa

Serious preparations were taken before the final mission. Many engaged in night-long gatherings with music and sake, while others spent their final few hours writing poems or messages to their loved-ones. Some visited the graves of their ancestors and spent time in prayer. Still others shaved their head, cut their finger-nails, and had these trimmings sent to their families for burial. Mission leader Mistuhasi shaved his head and said to give it to parents as "hair of the departed." The rest of the squadron followed his example. Many of the bodies found in the rubble or in the water commonly had photographs, postcards, and even little dolls sewn on the inside of their uniform.

kamikaze pilot with hachimaki headband

These final two accounts reveal a more romantic and emotional response to the pilots' final orders.

Sub-lieutenant Mitsutaka Nishio fell in love with an inn-maid and then told his friends that he wanted to engage to her. So the friends set out two mattresses for them, and Nishio and Taiko laid down next to each other and closed their eyes. The friends were astonished to find Nishio coming out just a few minutes later, and they asked him if it was long enough. With Taiko sobbing in the background, Nishio replied, " It was fine...just fine."

Nonaka exited his house ready for his last sortie, and suddenly, he turned around and took his wife in his arms. He hummed quietly while the two danced to Johann Strauss Jr.'s Freuhlingsstimmen.

Some of these accounts resemble the cartoon-like figures and fanatics the American public refer to when they mention the word "kamikaze". However, many of these accounts reveal more natural feelings such as fear, doubt, and anger. In spite of the influential and didactic orders of their officials, many of these "fanatics" recalled human emotions.

This exhibit was researched and designed by Guillermo Louis Rivell.
This exhibit and museum were created during an introductory seminar on the Asia-Pacific War, taught at Wake Forest University during the spring semester 2002.The material and opinions are those of their respective authors and do not represent the views of the University
or the Department of History.