Divine Winds and Human Waves: The Kamikaze’s rise over the Course of Japanese History

Abstract

Japan's World War II Kamikaze-attack strategy has become common knowledge to almost all Americans, with many sharing a preconception of fanatical and desperate Japanese pilots willfully crashing into American ships; however, this essay will demonstrate that the progression to suicidal aircraft attacks evolved gradually over the course of Japanese history. The roots of Kamikaze extend as far back as the Mongol Invasions of Japan, and it rose to prominence first during the Meiji Restoration and then with Nogi's actions during the Russo-Japanese war. This paper will trace the progression of Kamikaze throughout Japanese history to explain how a sequence of events, some directed by chance and others directed by commanders, culminated in Japan’s purpose-built, manned flying bombs that emerge in the Second World War. Understanding the historical context of Kamikaze and its logical evolution over time will help dispel the commonly held preconception of the singularly devoted but maniacally deranged Japanese soldier.