30 quotes
Questioning Courage and Skill in Battle
Captain Tanida
My six year old son can shoot better! Do you call yourself an Imperial soldier?
[To Saigo when he fails to hit the target during target practice; Saigo shoots again and misses]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Moment of Regret and Apology
Lieutenant Colonel Takeichi Nishi
I'm sorry, Okubo.
[moments before shooting himself]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Understanding the Enemy for Victory
Saigo
He studied the Americans, so he knows how to beat them.
[On Kuribayashi]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Call to Action Against Fear
Lieutenant Ito
Don't hide here like rats, come out of your caves and attack!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Role of Leadership in War
Admiral Ohsugi
Kuribayashi belongs behind a desk, not fighting a war.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Desire for Independence in a Collective Struggle
Lieutenant Colonel Takeichi Nishi
I'm tired of sharing this cave with all of you, I'm a one-man show from now on.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Determination to reclaim Suribachi
Lieutenant Ito
We will take back Suribachi, with or without Kuribayashi.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Dilemma of Loyalty and Survival
Saigo
We can die here, or we can continue fighting. Which would better serve the emperor?
[Convincing Shimizu not to kill himself]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
American Fleet Departs Saipan
Lieutenant Fujita
The Fleet of Americans have left from Saipan.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Honor and Fate of Soldiers
Captain Tanida
Men, we are honorable soldiers of the Emperor. Don't ever forget that. The only way left for us is to die with honor. This is our fate, to find our place at ]. I'll see you there. Banzai! Banzai! Banzai! Soldiers, farewell!
[Before the soldiers commit suicide by holding hand grenades against their chests; [w:Yasukuni Shrine|Yasukuni Shrine; The men repeat 'banzai' each time he says it; Shoots himself]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Skepticism About Tunnel Construction in War
Admiral Ohsugi
This is ridiculous, why waste time digging all these tunnels? They are all going to die anyway!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Call for Honor and Sacrifice
Lieutenant Fujita
From headquarters. We regret that we are unable to send reinforcements to Iwo at this time. We earnestly hope you will fight honorably and die for your country.
[reading letter]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Honor in Service to Leadership
Lieutenant Okubo
It has been a great honor to serve under you.
[to Nishi before he commits suicide]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Honor of Sacrifice in War
Saigo
Kashiwara died of honorable dysentery.
[In response to a soldier saying death is honorable]
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A Call for Extreme Measures
Lieutenant Colonel Takeichi Nishi
If you want my honest opinion, General, the best thing to do would be to sink this island to the bottom of the sea.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Lesson on Surrender from Lieutenant Okubo
Lieutenant Okubo
(sadly) Let this be a lesson to anyone else who wants to surrender.
[after finding the dead bodies of Shimizu and another Japanese soldier who tried to surrender]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reflections on Duty and Mortality
Saigo
We soldiers dig. We dig all day. This is the hole that we will fight and die in. Am I digging my own grave?
[Letter to his wife]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Targeting the American Medic in Battle
Captain Tanida
Here is the uniform of the American medic. He should be your target. For, Americans will risk many lives to save this one.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Futility of a Fallen Soldier
Saigo
There is no use for a dead soldier.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Challenge to American Forces
Lieutenant Ito
Where are you, American tanks? Come and get me!
[Waiting in vain for the American tanks to run over him]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Colonel Adachi's Acceptance of Defeat
Colonel Adachi
I have failed to hold Suribachi. Permit me to die with my men!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Doing What Is Right for Its Own Sake
Lieutenant Colonel Takeichi Nishi
Do what is right because it is right.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Inevitability of Death
Colonel Adachi
It's inevitable that people will die.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Loneliness Amidst Rumors of Womanizing
Saigo
There are rumors about his womanizing...But there are no women left to woo.
[About Nishi's romancing skills]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Despair Over the Island's Fate
Saigo
Damn this island! The Americans can have it.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Moment of Realization and Gratitude
Saigo
Why are you always messing with me. It's got to be a joke! Thank you, God! I take back what I said!
[When the Allied forces fire on him; An Allied shell lands right next to him, knocking him over. He sees the shell is a dud]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conserving Resources in Battle
Lieutenant Okubo
Don't waste a bullet. Not one.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Soldier's Resolve in Battle
Lieutenant Ito
I won't go back, I've had enough of cave fighting. You men are now under command of Lieutenant Colonel Nishi. I'll throw myself under a tank, I'll destroy one of their machines!
[Strapping explosive to himself]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Duty and Honor in Battle
Lieutenant Ito
It was your duty, hold your position until death, you should have died with your fellow troop members. You are a disgrace.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Admiral Ohsugi's Acknowledgment of Trouble
Admiral Ohsugi
This one is trouble.
[Referring to Kuribayashi]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.