Miyasan, Miyasan
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 The song's lyrics, c. 1868 | |
| Lyrics | Shinagawa Yajirō, c. 1868 |
|---|---|
| Published | c. 1868 |
"Miyasan, Miyasan" (宮さん宮さん)[note 1], was a loyalist song, popular during the Boshin War.[3] It is also Japan's oldest military song.[4][5]
The lyrics refer to Prince Arisugawa Taruhito, or "Miya-san" in the song.[6][7] He was an influential figure in the Meiji Restoration.[8][9] He was also the Grand Governor of the Eastern Expedition during the war.[10] The lyrics represent the spirits of the new government forces[10] which was the military forces belonging to the emperor and the Imperial Court.
In January 1868, the new government forces, formed from the three domains of Satsuma, Choshu, and Tosa and the respective lords of each province, fought and won the Battle of Toba-Fushimi against the old shogunate forces.[9] The following month, the new government's president, Prince Arisugawa Taruhito, also serving as the Grand Governor-General of the Eastern Expedition, was given a brocaded flag and a ceremonial sword by Emperor Meiji, and began marching along the Tokaido Highway.[9] All these events are mentioned in the songs lyrics.