Tadamichi Kuribayashi
| Born | 1891 |
| Died | 25 Mar 1945 |
| Nationality | Japan |
| Category | Ground |
Contributor: C. Peter Chen
Tadamichi Kuribayashi was born in Nagano prefecture, Japan to a samurai; in fact, he was the fifth generation of the Kuribayashi family that served six emperors as samurai. Canadian-educated, he was assigned to be a deputy military attaché in Washington DC starting in 1928, traveling extensively. When the Pacific War was able to begin, he was a known opponent of provoking United States into war; "[t]he United States is the last country in the world Japan should fight", he wrote his wife once. He was largely ignored by the decision makers.
In May 1944, the tall and husky Japanese general (he was five feet nine inches, above average for Japanese men at the time) was handpicked by Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo to defend the island of Iwo Jima. Veteran of thirty years with recent field experience in Manchuria and China, he was given the honor to personally meet Hirohito in Jun 1944 on the night before he flew to Iwo Jima. The meeting was an honor rare even for samurai, and he was told by Hirohito that the American "barbarians" must be stopped.
Kuribayashi did not share the optimism some of his peers had, but he performed his duties. He closely studied the island's terrain and decided that he would not fight on the island. He was going to fight from inside the island. Under his instructions, 21,000 men were hidden in 13,000 yards of tunnels. On Mount Suribachi alone there were 1,000 cave entrances and pill boxes. He gave the following orders to his men.
On 22 mar, Kuribayashi radioed "[w]e are still fighting.... The strength under my command is now about four hundred. Tanks are attacking us. The enemy suggested we surrender through loudspeaker, but our officers and men just laughed and paid no attention." On the next day, he sent Chichi Jima this final message, to be relayed on to Tokyo: "All officers of Chichi Jima, goodbye from Iwo". He reportedly committed ritual suicide, but his body was never found.
"Of all our adversaries in the Pacific, Kuribayashi was the most redoubtable", said United States Marine Corps General Holland Smith.
Sources: Flags of Our Fathers, Wikipedia.
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Winston Churchill
4 Jan 2007 06:41:42 PM
Tenno Showa, BANZAI!!!!!!!
20 Feb 2007 09:56:36 AM
Wow!!!!!!!
2 Mar 2007 10:49:25 AM
watch letters from iwo jima
6 Mar 2007 01:29:00 PM
thats what I call a brave man.
I say too: Watch Letters from Iwo Jima!!!
10 Mar 2007 09:35:16 AM
In this world there are not bad or good countrys...just good o bad people...not black or white, just grey
12 Mar 2007 07:46:33 AM
FYI, the Japanese did not shout ‘Tennō Shōwa’, as ‘Shōwa’ is a posthumous name for the emperor. The era was named ‘Shōwa’, but the reigning emperor is referred to as ‘Kinjōheika’ (His current Majesty). The Japanese would (and will) wish longevity to the emperor with ‘Tennōheika banzai!’
31 Mar 2007 08:33:26 PM
If there is anything Letters from Iwo Jima should have taught any of us is that to win a war you must destroy the enemy. It is your will to win that will decide victory. I hear everyday about the losses of our guys in IRAQ. America Lost 6,000 men in 28 days in that battle. Much more in the entire war. Ask yourself, is living in peace in your own country worth the life of a man defending it. Before you answer, remember, I took an oath to defend it (to the death if necessary). God Bless America, our President and for world peace.
1 Apr 2007 06:53:39 PM
La opinión del Lieutenant Commander D on 31 Mar son lamentables ya que argumenta y defiende las acciones bélicas en Irak
8 Apr 2007 01:27:35 AM
To Lieutenant Commander D
Indeed to win a battle you must destroy your enemy completely, and who invaded IRAQ?, it were the americans that what every Iraqi resisting american occupation is doing. I am sorry you talk about world peace but the american attitude is full of arrogance and ignorance, towards others values, religion, customs and LIFE. You talk about 6,000 us troops dead but what baout those above 150,000 iraqi causalities, one american life is not worth more then any one else. I pray that may the world get rid of people such as Bush, Chenny and Osama who could only preach hate and violence.
10 Apr 2007 01:09:59 PM
Indeed. Lieutenant Commander D, what do you think Kuribayashi was doing in Iwo Jima? If the only thing you achieved to understand from the film or the reading of history, then Im sorry I paid attention to your remarks. Just think what LIFE means - not only for Americans, but for every human being on earth. And remember - even if I doubt if you have ever heard of it - that Adolf Hitler used as a motto your own words It is your will to win that will decide victory. Anyway, Im really happy that men like Kuribayashi - and many others like him from every people in the World still touch men...
20 May 2007 06:24:25 AM
What is your point Lieutenant Commander D?
Iraq war is unjust and American soldiers are paying the price of a unjust war for BushCheney arrogance.
25 May 2007 12:48:37 PM
Everythings about Bush, isnt it? You people are neurotic, and deserve to stew in your hatred.
26 May 2007 10:26:52 PM
WOW are u serious stop freakin babbling about stupid crap. this is like a memorial to this great warrior...and u guys defile it with the Iraq war and other stuff that has nothing to do with KKuribayashi if u got nothin to say about him, then stop posting ur moronic psycho babble.
4 Jun 2007 08:05:17 PM
I just finishe watching the movie Letters from Iwo Jima.
I was impressed with the movie and would like to read the book Picture letters of the Commander in Chief.
Im sorry guys arent writing about the Lt. Gen. I thought this was a site about him and not the present administraton.
There are two perspectives to war.
I dont like war per say. My dad fought in Vietnam.
He is a survivor like so many others of his classmates. A lot of his classmates died there or from agent orange.
Stick to subject dudes.
Im a vet also.
Thanks
14 Jun 2007 10:01:11 PM
the film woz great but do read the book , with the letters he wrote to hes wife and family its almost personal which sounds strange but read it
18 Jun 2007 11:34:09 AM
first of all id like ot say sorry for spelling mistakes but im in a bit of a hurry.I watched the film Letters from Iwo Jima...a masterpiece, I am amased that Clint Eastwood-the cowboytough guysarge :) would make a film that glorifyes the grand and never-to-be forgotten effort these heroes made to defend something they knew they could not succeed in defending.they knew they would die, they have understood the essence of Bushido:to die! as well as the students in pearl Harbour.And it is very easy to say that one mans life is not worth the peace of the country he died defending...WELL IT IS and YOU WHO SAY IT ISNT ARE IGNORANT and selfish fools who do not understand what it means to be human and what it is to be a person.Those men on Iwo Jima died like heroes, they are heroes and they shall be remembered as heroes for ever and that is what they deserve..the loyalty,the determination,the sole spirit and understanding of the truth and their destiny...it is what they were born to do and for what they lived and prepared their whole life.This is why they say they are superior to us and I understand them sometimes because they look at the hippie crap and all those fools who think they know what war is and say that its unnecesery.well its those same fools who dont understand what it means to be a true warrior, a true Bushi. You Americans, I have nothing against you, my country fought your country like Japan did.We were outnumbered but we still fought you and in the end your army asked for treaty.well in fact all the NATO did...Japan has a history of finest wariors in the world, those who cant understand them, mock them and call them gooks and other names.Ignorance is of those who cant understand, arrogance is of those who are not being understood.There will always be arrogance with the Japanese and their pride made them great wariors in the past.They are arrogant because there are soldiers even today who say to the cameras that war is a terrible place and that it shouldnt happen ever.Well you shouldnt invade a country and pretend its for a greater good and then steal its oil.USA with all due respect guys, have ( except for USSR and the Brits in the War of Independence-hats off there)always attacked the weaker countries and always dragged out either a defeat or a Phyrrus victory.Japan showed them the essence of true men and what they are willing to do to defend their country.Let it never be forgotten how these men burned with mad death(read the book Bushido and youll see also the part about the killing 10 men before you die)and fought the invaders with courage and honor.Let it never be forgotten how these men showed FACE and loyalty and all of the 7 virtues of Bushido.Let it never be forgotten how and for what the great defenders of Iwo Jima and General Kuribayashi died.Let every soldier remember these and follow their example in future.Kuribayashi REI!
hktbnerevar@hotmail.com
18 Jun 2007 12:32:28 PM
What a great man. He chose to think out of the box and proved a formidable adversary. He chose to die side-by-side with his men, knowing the entire time that death was inevitable. If all of us could go to our deaths with 110th the courage and conviction, living would be easy.
21 Jun 2007 04:35:39 PM
Wow.I was really amazed by the Works of Kuribayashi, Tadamichi..No one can be a great warrior.. a real Samurai..Hats Off
26 Jun 2007 12:51:39 PM
wow,he seems really amazing sacrificing his life for his country..
26 Jun 2007 07:28:46 PM
Bravery, ingenuity and character is to be admired no matter which side a man is on. I admire General Tadamichi Kuribayashi,as well as Gen. Patton, Field Marshal Rommel, and men like them no for their winning or defeat, or which country they served, but because each man had character, and each man is an example of the best a warrior can be - faithfull to his duty.
27 Jun 2007 10:37:18 AM
Please, honor his loyalty to the country he defended as if it was your own. We must also remember he was the enemy and be thankful our brave and honorable marines and sailors were victorious.
8 Jul 2007 07:12:25 PM
Lt. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi was a great samurai lived and died for his country let us bow down our heads paying respect for his soul and glorify sacrifice.
15 Jul 2007 09:44:19 AM
Tadamichi Kuribayashi...what a great warrior, excellent movie. Is worth watching and getting the perspective from the other side.
5 Aug 2007 08:08:21 PM
i admire the character of kuribayashi. he never underestimated the power of the enemy, he were also openminded too. such a brilliant and patriotic but not chauvinistic person. if indonesia now has a good leader like him, im sure that malaysia and singapore will respect us and never bothering indonesia.
6 Aug 2007 07:39:17 AM
I still dont understand such admiration for a culture so aggressive, so cruel so middle-aged as the Japanese. Although kuribayashi seemed a bit wiser than the rest, that mentality started Pearl Habor so they cant complain that Americans beat them up. Atomic bombs really saved more lives since due to the Japonese stubborness with that bullshit of honour and death, would have surrenderred without more iwo jimas. Blame all on the **** , not the Americans
6 Aug 2007 09:17:36 PM
i love kuribayashi very much. i wish some day i could be like him, a brave, patriotic, crital, but peaceloving.
6 Aug 2007 11:48:15 PM
Gen. Kuribayashi was a warrior but definitely not a hero or great man. People like Sophie Scholl and Klaus von Stauffenberg who sacrificed their lives to fight tyranny, were the true heroes in WW2.
19 Aug 2007 03:43:08 PM
Was Kuribayashi a Good man?, was he an Honorable man?...Was he a great General?...The primary aspect to his significance, in my view, is his similarity to Admiral Yamamato. Who like General Kuribayashi, knew very well, having visited the United States as well as serving as military liason there, knew that for Nippon to jack with the United States in general war was suicide,and he also knew why. So, like Admiral Yamamato, to give so much devotion to his country and distinguish himself in battle the way he did...well, its at least remarkable.
3 Sep 2007 01:07:56 PM
I watched both movies Flags of our Fathers, and Letters from Iwo Jima. Both are incredible and gave a real perspective on the nobility of people caught in a war most did not want to be in, but because of circumstance, and stupidity of the chosen leaders of their countries, had to fight. The soldiers were true heroes, on both sides. Neither side were the villains. The real villains were the politicians who designed the war.
6 Sep 2007 07:53:44 AM
A great man who even made a defeat much more glorious than the victory. A great warior an epitome of honour. If, ever, a definition of a soldier is needed it will be one word Kuribayashi.
3 Oct 2007 09:04:41 PM
One of Great Leader, equally with Mc. Arthur either Nimitz.
6 Oct 2007 10:09:53 PM
Tadamichi is a master of defence. Instead of fighting enemy at the beach, he preferred hiding his troops underground. Thus, Naval bombardment was useless and USMC must pay heavy death toll. I must say he is equal to Rommel in terms of strategy and leadership.
15 Nov 2007 12:28:13 PM
Feldmarschal Walther Model was a master of defense. Feldmarschal von Manstein was a master tactician. Feldmarschal Rommel was a master of deception.
21 Nov 2007 10:48:14 PM
I can say is that Gen.Kuribayashi was a great General he was a very strategic fighter he knew where to put his men he learned a lot from the americans who trained him!
1 Feb 2008 07:37:48 PM
LTG Kuribayashi was a true soldier who did his job to the best of his ability. I am thankful that the movie Letters from IWO JIMA was able to show the skills and experience of LTG Kuribayashi as well as his humanity. Also, the movie showed the other Japanese officers and men with their different personalities and characters. I grew up watching WW2 movies which often portrayed the Japanese as fanatical barbarians or stumbling buffoons.
14 Feb 2008 02:06:43 AM
I believe some day in the near future things will be different. We won't have to kill each other. Valour, "the right stuff", will stem from cautious exploration of ourselves and our environment. Human beings are stewards, we own only ourselves. And when we look back on history, on famous personages in their contexts, in their facing rough odds and their decisions to stay anyway, then we will know from what we have evolved. It's all about Love. Do mo ari ga to
16 Feb 2008 08:06:36 PM
To lieutenant D and the babblers, yes lt.gen kuribayashi was an excellent strategist and did a great job defending
that stinking rock. But you must remember he did his job like every other soldier to the best of his ability
to the babblers you talk about bush cheney, you remember this and to all college hippies. who attacked who with their own jet planes. who hacked off who's heads in IRAQ!!! Don't tell me that one life is as important as another. We did'nt ask for this. it was just like pearl, dropped in our lap. And no i have'nt seen war but i joined in 96 and broke my back lifting a part.
BUT WHEN I JOINED MY GOAL WAS TO GO TO COMBAT AND I CRY EVERY TIME I SEE SOLDIERS AND EVERYONE TORE UP REMEMBER THIS WAR WILL NEVER END, IT IS OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN'S WAR. SEMPER FI
17 Feb 2008 08:41:41 PM
You are all fools if you forget that this man fought and died for an aggressively expansionist regime. A regime responsible for unspeakable atrocities against Americans, Chinese, Brits, and other nationalities too numerous to itemize here. Imperial Japan had no respect for other peoples and this insanity resulted in a totally unprovoked invasion of China for which the civilized world implemented a trade embargo on strategic resources reaching their militaristic and backward culture.
Kuribayashi is a tragic figure, yes, and we all sympathize with him. But he is in no respect a model man. Nor is he a hero. He may not lay claim to the mantle of heroism. A man may not set aside reason to pursue glory and be remarked on later as anything but a victim.
The movie Letters from Iwo Jima includes a quote from the mother of an American Marine killed by the Japanese on the island. It says, "Do what is right always, because it is right." Did Kuribayashi fight for what was just and proper? When talented men set aside what is right and inflict war upon the world such men are enemies.
To hell with Kuribayashi.
28 Feb 2008 08:54:48 AM
David and Lt D typical Ameriacns, insensitive, boorish to other peoples heroics. By Davids standards, all American generals, officers, soldiers serving in Iraq and those who served in Vietnam should be condemned for crime against humanity , they do not deserve to live, is it correct. Same expansionist policy.slaughter of civilians
20 Mar 2008 11:36:36 PM
He lived his life like a lantern in the wind. Respect is due...Banzai!
23 Mar 2008 09:49:50 AM
"Of all our adversaries in the Pacific, Kuribayashi was the most redoubtable", said United States Marine Corps General Holland Smith.
That's a lot coming from an American General. In war it's not about how shiny your boots or how gentlemanly you are but how intelligent, prepared, menacing and formidable you are.
For those of you who think "oh, he's just another general, he doesn't know what he's talking about", he commanded the American forces at Iwo Jima.
27 Mar 2008 09:13:53 PM
Great movie. It is a shame that so many of us Americans have learned our history from movies. The Japanese were defending their homeland because they had started the war. Their tiny island no longer had the natural resources so desperately needed for expansion. So in your praise of the japanese defending their emperor and homeland it shoud be remembered it was because they had put it in jepordy.
28 Mar 2008 07:32:20 PM
Thank you FRS.
5 Apr 2008 11:24:01 PM
Even if he was against us, he was a great General. I have to place him up the with Patton, and Robert E. Lee
10 Apr 2008 07:07:12 AM
Tout un homme, je suis canadien français, cet homme avait un code d'honneur chose assez rare aujourd'hui dans toutes les sphères de la société j'ai vu les lettres d'Iwo-Jima de Clint Eastwood qui a rendu justice aux soldats japonais, ce film a changé la perception que j'avais des soldats japonais de cette époque que d'autres films du passé décrivaient comme des barbares qui n'avaient aucuns respect de la vie humaine. La dictature impériale a malheureusement tueé, fait tuer des milliers de ces hommes (suicide apparemment obligé) qui auraient, aujourd'hui été des témoins importants de cette guerre, ce que les dictatures peuvent faire aux Hommes. Cela m'a choqué quand les 2 GI ont tué les deux soldats japonais qui étaient leurs prisonniers, je ne juge pas ces hommes de guerres loin des horreurs de la guerre (Clausewitz) toutes les armées ont eu des hommes qui l'ont fait dont certains doivent être encore hantés par ces gestes. Je sais que le monde ne changera pas, des guerres il y en aura tout le temps mais moi je garderai toujours vivant la mémoires de ces hommes de guerre qui, en d'autres temps auraient été des mécaniciens, docteurs, acteurs, instituteurs ou vivant, tout simplement.
11 Apr 2008 11:00:47 PM
In response to FRS:
I don't remember any part of my entry that had anything to do with a movie, maybe you can point that out for me.
The fact that Kuribayashi was able to hold off an American force for 35 days (which was intended to last 5 days by the Americans) is testament to his sheer skill and ability as a commander.
Never underestimate your enemy. I'm sure every US military college will teach the same thing.
9 Jun 2008 11:13:44 PM
le 06 juin 2008
j'ai pu enfin voir ce film qui relate l'histoire de ces hommes(japonais & americains)qui combattirent pour un morceau de cailloux tantot lieu sacre pour les uns et futur base pour les autres mais posons-nous la question cela valait-il vraiement la peine de sacrifier tous ces hommes ?
Selon le volet que l'on regarde le telespectateur est americain ou japonais Clint Eastwood a reussi a nous faire reagir encore une fois par le biais de ses films sur le sujet de la connerie humaine dictee encore et toujours par nos representants politiques que seule dicte leur soif de pouvoir et de puissance !!!
J'aimerai croire que de telles tragedies arreterons d'exister un jour mais j'ai du mal au vue de l'actualite actuelle !!!
Nous pouvons honorer ces hommes et ces femmes qui se battent pour des ideaux mais a quoi bon si cela ne cesse ?
Maintenant je peux mettre des noms sur des visages et de ne pas oublier que avant d'etre des soldats , c'etaient des peres de familles, des freres, des fils des amis...
Merci Mr Eastwood
7 Sep 2008 06:36:39 AM
he was a great leader imo, he was just as good as patton and the rest just he was on the other side, imo he is the true master of defense we never saw it coming
12 Dec 2008 04:40:52 PM
I love this man for working with the good side against the Nazis.
30 Dec 2008 07:10:10 PM
Would you finish the game.
9 Feb 2009 06:32:17 PM
I'm Japanese.In Japan,many people didn't know about him before they watch the movie.now many japanese respect him as good leader.why?
On Iwo jima,he always spent similar life to soldier. In those days,many other generals spent different life from soldier.
there is no river and well on Iwo jima.so they should store rain water.(when the U.S. Army hoisted the flag on Mt.Suribachi ,parts of the tank of storing water was used as pole which was life line for Japanese soldier.)
Kuribayashi saved water just like other soldier and cultivated the field,when he orderd all soldier to save water and cultivate the field to obtain food.
"Kantou no Tikai"
We shall defend our bases to the limit of our strength.
We shall take bombs and throw ourselves under the tanks to destroy them.
We shall infiltrate enemy's lines and exterminate them.
We shall shoot at each one deadly shot.
We shall never be killed before killing ten enemy soldiers.
We shall harass the enemy with guerilla actions until the last of us.
why he wrote not "Soldier shall...." but "we shall"?
21 Mar 2009 04:02:29 PM
to hold the island against superiour american forces without supply, food, water or reinforcements with his clever tactics....thats heroic. he had no chance to win the battle but he and his man continued fighting. until the last man. kuribayashi was a brave man. a real samurai. it is not important, for wich country he died. it is important that he has not given up. he died for that what he believed in. and that is the reason why we should remember him.
22 Mar 2009 09:37:13 AM
The war is evil is madness, so what are you talking about? forget about this thing and think all the time in peace
26 Mar 2009 07:01:25 PM
I just finish watching it! Awesome story. We fight to defend our countries, we are enemies, but at the end we are fighting for the same reason, to protect our families, our loved ones. We are no different, unfortunately it's the nature of the beast, humanity is meant to destroy each other. Enrique we all know war is evil and madness, but he is Anonymous is right, I salute Lt. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, because he was a great soldier. As a soldier you hate the enemy, but have to respect the man behind the uniform. He is fighting, he is the enemy, but unfortunately, he has a job to perform. I hate war, but they are the reason you can sit here right now, and have fun infron of your computer today!
27 Mar 2009 06:28:00 PM
My favorite WW2 general
He was a real warrior,
Hats off
BANZAI !!
15 Apr 2009 09:42:27 AM
wow that sad!!!! good man
30 Apr 2009 06:56:33 AM
sorry but i study this man, although many of these facts are true noone knows how general kuribiashi died although some say he did comit suicide some believe he was killed in a final charge, also he ordered that no one comit suicide such as lying under tanks with mines although many did
9 Nov 2009 11:19:02 PM
Tadamichi Kuribayashi is a hero!
10 Dec 2009 12:00:52 PM
Tadamichi Kuribayashi was a perfect gentleman soldier. Even he knew not to stir the waking giant. It is to bad his Emporer allowed him to be sacrificed for a lost cause. No question the bombing of Pearl Harbor was the beginning of the end for the Japanese Empire.
16 Dec 2009 05:34:10 PM
hay all of you people who marked Anonymous cut Lieutenant Commander D some slack. he is just doing his job for America. he had the guts to put his name and oppinion now im not saying he is rite about his polocies but you have no rite in your selves to call him out. with out men and women like him we could have armys like the Taliban on our door steps killing us while we sleep i thank you very mutch Lieutenant Commander D thanks for keeping this ckountry safe
26 Jan 2010 06:26:32 PM
Thanks for all your comment but i had to scroll all the way to the bottom of this page to find my citation info...