Battotai (JP: 抜刀隊) is a Japanese military song and march, composed by French military composer, Charles Leroux in 1877, with its lyrics being written by Toyama Masakazu.
The song references the Drawn-Sword Regiment (Called Battotai in Japanese), which fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in 1877. It praises the Battotai and their leaders for being fierce, noble and honorable warriors that were loyal to their cause, despite being enemies of the Japanese Government.
The song became popular especially during the Second World War. Although having heavy connotations with that era, as well as Japanese militarism in general, the march still regularly played by the Japanese Self Defence Forces during parades and other such events.
