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The epilogue to the tragic story of Kusunoki Masashige comes in the form of that very same son he met with before he departed for his final battle-Masatsura. Twelve years after his father's death, Masatsura had an audience with the emperor of the Southern Court, Go-Murakami, who praised the Kusunoki's loyalty to his family. Soon afterwards, Masatsura was killed at the [[Battle of Shijo Nawate]] on 4 February [[1348]]. A poem he etched on the door to the temple honoring Go-Daigo before he was killed survives to this day and reads:

The epilogue to the tragic story of Kusunoki Masashige comes in the form of that very same son he met with before he departed for his final battle-Masatsura. Twelve years after his father's death, Masatsura had an audience with the emperor of the Southern Court, Go-Murakami, who praised the Kusunoki's loyalty to his family. Soon afterwards, Masatsura was killed at the [[Battle of Shijo Nawate]] on 4 February [[1348]]. A poem he etched on the door to the temple honoring Go-Daigo before he was killed survives to this day and reads:

''I could not return, I presume

<blockquote>''I could not return, I presume''<br>

So I will keep my name

''So I will keep my name''<br>

Among those who are dead with bows.''

''Among those who are dead with bows.''</blockquote>

After the Meiji Restoration, when a new government was searching for a way to reconcile Japan's samurai past with her Imperial present, Kusunoki Masashige came to the fore. A samurai loyal to the emperor, even to his certain death, was a valuable symbol, and much exploited during the era of Japanese Imperialism. This ended up with ugly connotations, with young men hurling themselves futilely into American ships in World War II by aircraft or fast boat, inspired by the exploits of Masashige.

After the Meiji Restoration, when a new government was searching for a way to reconcile Japan's samurai past with her Imperial present, Kusunoki Masashige came to the fore. A samurai loyal to the emperor, even to his certain death, was a valuable symbol, and much exploited during the era of Japanese Imperialism. This ended up with ugly connotations, with young men hurling themselves futilely into American ships in World War II by aircraft or fast boat, inspired by the exploits of Masashige.

Pre-war propaganda aside, Kusunoki Masashige stands as a soldier of the first order, brave and unselfish, with honorable intentions and a steadfast determination. His defense of Chihaya stands as a masterpiece of Japanese defense work that was rarely repeated in the centuries to come.

Pre-war propaganda aside, Kusunoki Masashige stands as a soldier of the first order, brave and unselfish, with honorable intentions and a steadfast determination. His defense of Chihaya stands as a masterpiece of Japanese defense work that was rarely repeated in the centuries to come.

[[Category:Samurai]]

[[Category:Samurai]][[Category:Kamakura Period]]