Lyrics Zheng Xiaoxu Relinquished September 5, 1942 | Adopted March 1, 1933 | |
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Music Takatsu Toshi, Sonoyama Minpei, Muraoka Gakudō | ||
The National Anthem of Manchukuo was one of the many national symbols of independence and sovereignty created to foster a sense of legitimacy for Manchukuo in both an effort to secure international diplomatic recognition and to foster a sense of patriotism among its inhabitants.
Contents
During Manchukuo's short 14-year existence, two national anthems were used.
National Anthem of Manchukuo was widely taught in schools and used in ceremonies in Manchukuo.
1933 Anthem
The first national anthem was declared by State Council Decree No.4, dated 24 February Dàtóng 2 (1933) but publicized on March 1. The lyrics were written by Manchukuo's first Prime Minister Zheng Xiaoxu, who was devout Confucianist and Qing loyalist in addition to being an accomplished poet and calligrapher.
1942 Anthem
The 1933 anthem was changed on 5 September Kāngdé 9 (1942), by State Council Order No. 201. Manchukuo's second Prime minister Zhang Jinghui cited the 1933 anthem was unsuitable for the current situations of the Empire as the reason for the change. The new anthem, with Manchurian (i.e. Mandarin Chinese) and Japanese lyrics, was written by a committee, according to Zhang. The 1933 anthem was renamed the Manchukuo Independence Song (滿洲國建國歌, pinyin: Mǎnzhōuguó jiàn guógē, Japanese Hepburn romanization: Manshukoku-kenkoku uta).
Official Interpretation
According to the official interpretation of the anthem issued on the same day of its adoption, the "God" in the first line refers to Amaterasu, the sun goddess in Shinto, referring to Manchukuo's adoption of State Shinto as its state religion in 1940. Also, God's Light is interpreted as Arahitogami, i.e. Emperor of Japan. The whole of the first line is interpreted as
"The Divine Work" in the fourth line came from Kangde's Imperial Rescript on the Tenth Anniversary of the Nation on 1 March 1942, in which he mentioned,
and hence interpreted as: