Citation

Picone M. Etudes sur la Mort 2006; 130(2): 9-20.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006)

DOI

10.3917/eslm.130.0009

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Since 1944 the 'special attack forces' have been the subject of a conflict of interpretation. At first they were said to be fanatics impelled to die for the emperor, or to personify the 'Japanese soul'. After the war they were considered to be a product of totalitarian propaganda, or over - romantic young intellectuals or, covertly, restless spirits which it was necessary to deify and enshrine in order to protect the nation. Recent books review their diaries and last letters and reopen debates about their motivations and feelings.

Language: fr

Keywords

Suicide; Nationalism; Kamikaze; Pacific war; Tokkotai