[1895]

"Yuki no Shingun" (Japanese: 雪の進軍, lit. 'The Snow March') is a Japanese gunka composed in 1895 by Imperial Japanese Army musician Nagai Kenshi who reflected his experience in the Battle of Weihaiwei during the First Sino-Japanese War.

The song was banned in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II and was used in the 1977 film Mount Hakkoda.

During the Battle of Weihaiwei, the Imperial Japanese Army experienced heavy snow and low temperature, while being under-equipped with water, food and fuel.

Nagai reflected in his song the hardship Japanese soldiers experienced and their discontentment about the war.

The song, which was popular at the time of its publication and is described by scholars to have an upbeat melody, was said to be favoured by Ōyama Iwao.

It was also taught and sung in Japanese schools during the late Meiji period.

Nagai's song was later widely referred... (continua)