Death Before Dishonor

War began on land and later extended to the sea. In maritime conflicts from the 14th to the 18th centuries, the losing side’s leader faced dire choices:

1. Fight to the death.
2. Surrender and face torture or execution.
3. Become a slave to the victor.
4. Surrender and, if returned to his people, be charged with desertion, cowardice, and incompetence, leading to torture and execution.

During these sea wars, the battle cry “sin cuartel” – meaning “to the death, no quarters” – exemplified the era’s brutal ethos. Warriors often bore tattoos to display their machismo, with “death before dishonor” being a prevalent motto. This was a tradition particularly strong in the UK navy.

A UK warship captain who lost a battle or had his ship sunk would be court-martialed upon return, held accountable for the loss of His Majesty’s warship, and required to pay for the ship. Consequently, most UK warship captains preferred to go down with their ships to avoid disgrace and financial ruin, which would impoverish their families.

In the 18th century, Japan modernized its navy, modeling it after the UK navy, unaware that by the 19th century, Western navies had abandoned the practice of captains going down with their ships. This divergence in naval traditions was starkly evident during the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. After the US aircraft carrier Yorktown was sunk by Japanese planes, its captain, Buckmaster, was the last to leave, continuing to fight until the end.

In contrast, Japanese captains adhered strictly to their code of honor:

1. **Kaga** (Increased Joy) – Captain Jusaka Okada died in the bombing.
2. **Soryu** (Green Dragon) – Captain Ryusaka Yamaginoto tied himself to a part of the ship and sang the national anthem, “Kimigayo,” as it sank.
3. **Hiryu** (Flying Dragon) – Captain Kako went down with his ship.
4. **Akagi** (Red Castle) – Captain Doki and Admiral Nagumo, commander of the Midway and Ceylon attacks, were rescued. Post-June 4, Nagumo, once second only to Yamamoto in popularity, was never given a combat command again, treated as a jinx and a leper.

Japanese honor is distinctive. Among the Yakuza, members who bring serious disgrace must bow before their boss, say “Gomen Nasai” (forgive me, I’m so sorry), and cut off the little finger of their right hand as a sign of contrition. Similarly, Japanese public officials caught in corruption or incompetence often resign immediately. If they do not, they may face extreme measures, including seppuku, a ritual suicide involving disembowelment. The concept of “death before dishonor” is not limited to Japan. A US Marine with a “Death before Dishonor” tattoo was once approached by an elderly lady who teasingly asked, “What if I ask you to dishonor me?” The Marine solemnly replied, “Death, Ma’am, before that.”