Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Kamikaze

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French version

Kamikaze

神風
alternative words: Kami kaze, Kamikadze, Kami kadze, Kamukaze, Kamu kaze, Divine wind, Kamikaze wind
keywords: event , war , weapon , world war 2
related topics: Kamakura period , Invasion of Mongols , Amaterasu , Waka , Kaiten
related web sites: http://www.geocities.jp/kamikazes_site/ , http://ww8.tiki.ne.jp/~hidekun/7.htm , http://www.tokkotai.or.jp
explanation: Literally "divine wind", this word has been used in different contexts. Its first meaning is "makura kotoba" (debuting word in Waka poem) for Ise province which owns the main shrine of "Goddess Amaterasu". The second meaning is the gale which sank Mongol's ships during the invasion of 1274 and 1281. The third meaning is "special suicidal fighter pilots" used at the last phase of WWII. Finally you can use this word in any context, when you are saved from a hopeless situation.