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Banzai

Banzai (万歳, banzai), literally translating to "ten thousand years," is a traditional Japanese exclamation expressing wishes for longevity, joy, or imperial loyalty, derived from the Chinese term wansui and combining ban ("ten thousand") with sai ("years" or "age").^[1]^[2] Originating as a celebratory cheer raised with arms aloft during auspicious events, such as weddings or national ceremonies, it evolved into a formalized shout of "tennōheika banzai" ("long live the Emperor") following Japan's 1889 constitution, symbolizing national unity and enthusiasm.^[3] In military contexts, particularly during World War II, banzai became synonymous with desperate, human-wave infantry assaults known to Allied forces as "banzai charges," where Japanese troops, often low on supplies and facing encirclement, charged en masse while shouting the cry to demoralize enemies and achieve ritualistic death over surrender.^[4] These tactics, rooted in bushido-influenced doctrines prohibiting retreat, proved largely suicidal and ineffective against prepared defenses, as evidenced by the largest such attack on Saipan in July 1944, involving over 4,000 Japanese soldiers who were nearly all killed, inflicting minimal strategic gains but heavy casualties on both sides.^[4] Postwar, the term's association with imperial militarism led to its diminished use in official settings, though it persists in casual expressions of excitement or sports victories, stripped of its wartime connotations.^[3]

Etymology and Linguistic Meaning

Origins and Literal Translation

The Japanese term banzai (万歳), romanized from its pronunciation banzai, consists of the kanji 万 (ban), signifying "ten thousand," and 歳 (zai or sai), denoting "years" or "age." This compound literally translates to "ten thousand years," idiomatically conveying wishes for extreme longevity, akin to exclamations of "long live" or enduring prosperity.^[5]^[3]^[6] The expression's linguistic origins stem from the Middle Chinese phrase wànsuì (萬歲), a Sino-Xenic borrowing that entered Japanese vocabulary through cultural exchanges during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) and subsequent adaptations in Japan by the Nara period (710–794 CE).^[3]^[6] In classical usage, it served as a formal acclamation for imperial figures or deities, emphasizing perpetual rule or vitality, with attestations in Japanese texts reflecting its integration as a celebratory shout by at least the Heian period (794–1185 CE).^[7]^[6] The first recorded English usage of "banzai" appears in 1892, borrowed directly from Japanese to denote the cheer.

Evolution in Japanese Language

The term banzai (万歳), composed of the kanji man (万, "ten thousand") and sai (歳 or 歳, "years"), derives from the Middle Chinese phrase wànsuì (万岁), which was adopted into Japanese vocabulary during periods of cultural exchange, particularly influenced by Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) interactions.^[1] This Sino-Japanese compound originally connoted a hyperbolic wish for extreme longevity, symbolizing eternal prosperity or imperial endurance, and appeared in early Japanese texts as a ceremonial acclamation, such as in references to Emperor Ninken (r. 488–498 CE), where it paralleled exclamations like "viva" in wishing perpetual rule.^[9] Linguistically, banzai retained its phonetic form and literal denotation through the classical Japanese period (up to the 12th century), functioning primarily in courtly or ritual contexts to honor superiors, with no significant morphological alterations due to its status as a fixed on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading) borrowing.^[10] Semantic evolution began accelerating in the Edo period (1603–1868), where it expanded beyond elite imperial salutes to public expressions of communal joy during festivals or victories, reflecting a broadening from individualized longevity wishes to collective affirmation.^[11] By the Meiji Restoration (1868 onward), banzai underwent further pragmatic shift in usage, integrating into standardized nationalist rituals—such as the triple shout (sanbon banzai)—to evoke not just long life but unified loyalty to the state, though its core lexical meaning remained anchored to "ten thousand years."^[3] In contemporary Japanese, the term persists in both formal ceremonial roles (e.g., New Year's imperial addresses) and colloquial exclamations of triumph or relief (e.g., "Banzai!" as "Hooray!" after successes), demonstrating a diachronic progression from ritualistic formality to versatile emotive interjection without altering its orthographic or phonological stability.^[12]^[11]

Historical and Cultural Context in Japan

Pre-Modern Usage

The term banzai (万歳), literally "ten thousand years," entered Japanese usage through cultural borrowing from China, where equivalents like wansui were employed in ancient imperial acclamations wishing longevity to rulers as early as the Qin dynasty around 207 BCE. In Japan, pre-modern applications of the term were primarily ritualistic and performative rather than militaristic or nationalistic cheers. During the Heian period (794–1185 CE), manzai—directly derived from 万歳—manifested as magico-religious year-end rites conducted by groups of entertainers to invoke prosperity, good health, and extended life for participants and authorities. These performances, often featuring paired actors delivering blessings and comic elements, served communal functions in court and folk settings, emphasizing auspicious invocations over political fervor.^[13]^[14] By the Muromachi (1336–1573) and Edo periods (1603–1868), manzai evolved into a staple of popular entertainment, particularly in urban centers like Kyoto and Edo (modern Tokyo), where duos of performers—known as the eboshi (wise man) and tarōkaja (fool)—staged humorous skits incorporating banzai-like exclamations for longevity and fortune. Historical records, including woodblock prints and theater logs, document these as lighthearted, seasonal customs tied to New Year's celebrations or temple festivals, without evidence of mass shouting in loyalty to the shogun or emperor. The practice remained localized and apolitical, focusing on personal or communal well-being rather than state ideology.^[13] Scholarly analyses indicate scant documentation of banzai as a unified public acclamation before the late 19th century, suggesting its pre-modern role was confined to performative blessings rather than the synchronized cheers that later symbolized imperial devotion. This contrasts with its post-Restoration transformation, where it was formalized amid efforts to centralize authority under the emperor. Primary sources from feudal eras, such as court diaries and ukiyo-e depictions, corroborate the ritualistic but non-militaristic character of these usages.^[15]

Imperial Era and Nationalism

During the Meiji era (1868–1912), following the Restoration that centralized authority under Emperor Meiji, the phrase "banzai" (meaning "ten thousand years" or "may you live forever") was revived as a public expression of loyalty to the emperor, aligning with efforts to forge a modern national identity rooted in imperial sovereignty. The government promoted State Shinto and imperial reverence to unify the populace, transforming "banzai" from an occasional celebratory shout into a ritualistic affirmation of the emperor's divine status and the nation's kokutai (national essence). This shift emphasized causal links between individual devotion and collective strength, countering feudal fragmentation and facilitating Japan's rapid industrialization and militarization.^[16] The modern ritual of mass "banzai" cheering crystallized on February 11, 1889, during the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, where organized crowds—reportedly numbering in the tens of thousands—shouted "Tenno Heika Banzai" ("Long live the Emperor") three times in unison to greet Emperor Meiji, marking the inaugural large-scale use of the cheer in a national festival context. This event, orchestrated by the government as Japan's first modern public spectacle, symbolized the constitution's embodiment of imperial will and helped institutionalize "banzai" as a standardized gesture of patriotism, performed with raised arms and synchronized fervor. The 1889 Constitution itself, while introducing limited parliamentary elements, reaffirmed the emperor's absolute sovereignty under Article 1, reinforcing the cheer as an ideological tool for binding citizens to the throne amid expansionist policies like the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895).^[15]^[17]^[18] In the Taishō (1912–1926) and early Shōwa (1926–1945) eras, "Tenno Heika Banzai" permeated military indoctrination, school rituals, and ultra-nationalist rallies, amplifying its role in fostering sacrificial nationalism. Conscription laws from 1873 onward integrated the cheer into army training, where recruits pledged loyalty through daily recitations, contributing to a culture where emperor veneration justified territorial conquests, such as the annexation of Korea in 1910 and invasion of Manchuria in 1931. By the 1930s, amid rising militarism, the shout underscored propaganda portraying Japan as a divine empire destined for Asian hegemony, with public events drawing hundreds of thousands—evident in 1936 celebrations of Emperor Hirohito's tenth anniversary, where "banzai" echoed in synchronized masses to affirm unwavering allegiance. This ritualistic fervor, while effective in mobilizing support, reflected a state-driven ideology prioritizing hierarchical obedience over individual agency, setting the stage for intensified imperial commitments.^[3]^[19]

Military Applications

Early 20th-Century Conflicts

The use of "banzai" as a military battle cry emerged during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905, where Japanese infantry shouted it during advances in Manchuria to invoke imperial loyalty and sustain morale against Russian counterattacks.^[20] This practice accompanied aggressive close-quarters tactics, including bayonet assaults, as Japanese doctrine emphasized the superiority of spiritual resolve and hand-to-hand combat over prolonged ranged engagements. Such cries served both to psych up attackers and demoralize defenders, reflecting the Meiji-era militarization of bushido principles into modern warfare. The Siege of Port Arthur (May 1904–January 1905) highlighted these early applications, with General Maresuke Nogi's Third Army launching repeated human wave assaults—derisively termed "human bullets" by observers—against entrenched Russian fortifications.^[21] These operations involved infantry fixing bayonets after artillery preparation and charging fortified hills like 203 Meter Hill, often under devastating fire from Russian machine guns and howitzers; Nogi initially favored such direct assaults, believing unyielding willpower could prevail.^[22] The Japanese incurred approximately 56,000–58,000 casualties, including over 14,000 deaths, in capturing the port on January 2, 1905, after Russian commander Anatoly Stessel capitulated despite sufficient supplies.^[21]^[22] While effective in breaking some Russian lines through sheer tenacity, these tactics exposed limitations against industrialized firepower, prompting later shifts toward siege artillery; nonetheless, they established a precedent for morale-driven charges that persisted into subsequent conflicts.^[22] Japanese involvement in World War I, such as the 1914 Siege of Tsingtao, saw limited use of similar bayonet tactics but no widespread "banzai" charges due to the operation's brevity and naval focus.^[22]

World War II Banzai Charges

Banzai charges during World War II were desperate, large-scale infantry assaults conducted by Imperial Japanese Army and Navy forces in the Pacific theater, typically as final efforts when positions were overrun and retreat impossible. These attacks involved waves of soldiers, often armed only with rifles, bayonets, and grenades, advancing en masse while shouting "Banzai!"—a cry invoking long life for Emperor Hirohito—to boost morale and intimidate foes. Rooted in doctrines emphasizing no surrender and death before dishonor, they emerged prominently after early 1942 as Japanese logistics faltered on isolated islands, rendering sustained defense untenable against superior Allied firepower.^[4]^[23] The first major banzai charge occurred on Guadalcanal on August 21, 1942, when Colonel Kiyonao Ichiki's 917-man detachment assaulted U.S. Marine positions at the Tenaru River (Alligator Creek), expecting quick victory but encountering prepared defenses with machine guns and artillery. The assault collapsed within hours, with over 700 Japanese killed and only 30 survivors, while U.S. losses were 34 dead and 61 wounded, highlighting the tactic's vulnerability to interlocking fire. Subsequent Guadalcanal night attacks in October 1942, including against Henderson Field, followed similar patterns but inflicted limited strategic gains despite temporary penetrations.^[24] On Attu Island in the Aleutians, May 29, 1943, Colonel Yasuhiro Yamasaki led approximately 1,000 remaining Japanese troops—including wounded and support personnel—in a coordinated banzai charge against U.S. lines near Massacre Bay, achieving initial surprise and hand-to-hand breakthroughs that nearly overran rear-area units like engineers and medics. The attack killed 50 Americans and wounded over 200 but ended in near-total Japanese annihilation, with only 28 prisoners taken from the garrison's original 2,351, as frigid conditions and close-quarters fighting amplified casualties on both sides.^[25]^[23] At Tarawa's Betio Island, November 23, 1943, a predawn banzai charge by remnants of the Japanese garrison briefly overran parts of U.S. Marine positions, killing scores before being repelled by concentrated fire, contributing to the overall Japanese loss of nearly 4,700 dead against 1,009 U.S. fatalities. The largest recorded banzai charge unfolded on Saipan on July 7, 1944, when General Yoshitsugu Saitō mobilized about 4,300 troops, walking wounded, and civilians in a disorganized rush against the U.S. 27th Infantry Division's lines, advancing over 1,000 yards in hours of chaotic combat that caused 650 to 1,000 American casualties but resulted in virtually all attackers killed. Later instances, such as on Guam in late July 1944 and Okinawa in 1945, followed this pattern of high Japanese attrition—often exceeding 90%—with minimal territorial recovery, as attackers fixed bayonets without adequate covering fire faced machine guns, mortars, and naval gunfire.^[26]^[4]^[27] Tactically, banzai charges proved largely ineffective against entrenched Allies equipped for defensive firepower, succeeding only in surprise or isolated cases but accelerating Japanese defeats by expending manpower without resupply or maneuver options. U.S. after-action reports noted their psychological terror—fueled by sheer numbers and fanaticism—but emphasized that disciplined fire and barriers neutralized the waves, with Japanese losses in such assaults often 10-to-1 or higher due to doctrinal rejection of cover, feints, or withdrawal. This approach, while momentarily disrupting lines, underscored broader Imperial Japanese Army rigidities, contributing to over 1.7 million military deaths in the Pacific by war's end.^[4]^[25]

Tactical Analysis and Outcomes

Banzai charges typically involved massed infantry assaults launched as desperate countermeasures when Japanese forces anticipated imminent defeat, with troops fixing bayonets, often discarding rifles for close-quarters weapons like swords and knives, and advancing in dense waves while shouting cries such as "Tenno Heika Banzai!" to invoke imperial loyalty and demoralize foes.^[28] These attacks prioritized psychological shock and sacrificial frenzy over coordinated fire support or maneuver, exploiting any perceived gaps in enemy lines, usually at dawn or dusk to maximize surprise, but lacking artillery preparation or armored elements that might have provided covering fire.^[4] Against Allied defenses fortified with machine guns, barbed wire, mortars, and pre-sighted artillery, the tactic exposed attackers to interlocking fields of fire, rendering the high troop density a liability as concentrated bursts from weapons like the M1919 Browning could mow down hundreds in minutes.^[29] The largest recorded banzai charge occurred on Saipan on July 7, 1944 (D+22 in the battle), when approximately 4,000 exhausted Japanese troops under General Yoshitsugu Saitō targeted a 500-yard gap between battalions of the U.S. 105th Infantry Regiment, overrunning some artillery positions and advancing up to 1,000 yards toward Tanapag Harbor before stalling after 12 hours of combat.^[4] U.S. forces, including the 3d Battalion, 10th Marines, responded with small arms, howitzer ricochet fire, and hand-to-hand fighting after initial overruns, ultimately halting the assault 800 yards short of key objectives by evening.^[29] Japanese losses totaled 4,311 killed, with virtually no survivors from the attacking units, while the 105th Infantry suffered around 918 casualties, including near-annihilation of its forward battalions, though broader Marine artillery and infantry reserves prevented a breakthrough.^[4]^[29] Earlier in the Pacific campaign, a banzai charge at the Battle of the Tenaru on Guadalcanal on August 21, 1942, saw about 900 Japanese soldiers under Colonel Kiyonao Ichiki assault entrenched U.S. Marines along Alligator Creek, attempting to overrun positions with bayonets and limited rifle fire but encountering barbed wire entanglements and pre-planned kill zones.^[30] Marine defenders, equipped with .30- and .50-caliber machine guns and grenades, repelled the attack within hours, piling Japanese bodies at the creek's sandbar and pursuing survivors into the jungle.^[30] The Japanese force lost over 600 killed with no confirmed tactical gains, contrasted by just 39 U.S. casualties (mostly wounded), demonstrating how even numerically inferior but better-armed defenders could inflict disproportionate losses.^[30] This engagement marked one of the first major banzai attempts against U.S. troops and highlighted the tactic's vulnerability to prepared positions. Across the Pacific theater, banzai charges yielded consistently poor outcomes, with Japanese units suffering near-total annihilation—often 10:1 or higher casualty ratios favoring Allies—due to doctrinal emphasis on offensive spirit over adaptive defense, compounded by logistical starvation and absence of suppressive fire that might have masked advances.^[29] While initial overruns occasionally caused localized panic and inflicted hundreds of Allied casualties through sheer momentum, as in Saipan, the attacks rarely achieved strategic disruption, instead depleting irreplaceable manpower and accelerating surrenders or mop-up operations, as Japanese forces shifted later to fortified cave defenses to mitigate such exposures.^[4] Tactically, the approach proved maladaptive against industrialized firepower, prioritizing cultural imperatives of no-retreat over preservation of combat effectiveness, ultimately contributing to the Imperial Japanese Army's estimated 2.1 million battle deaths by exhausting units in futile waves rather than enabling prolonged attrition warfare.^[31]

Perceptions and Controversies

Japanese Perspectives on Honor and Sacrifice

In Japanese military culture during the imperial era, the concept of bushido—the warrior's path—profoundly shaped attitudes toward honor and sacrifice, prioritizing loyalty to the emperor and death in service over surrender or capture, which was deemed a profound disgrace. This ethos, drawing from feudal samurai traditions, was systematically revived and militarized in the early 20th century through education, propaganda, and army indoctrination, portraying sacrificial death as a purifying act that ensured spiritual immortality and familial prestige.^[32]^[33] Soldiers were taught that enduring hardship and choosing death exemplified rectitude (gi) and courage (yu), virtues codified in texts like Inazo Nitobe's 1900 Bushido: The Soul of Japan, which influenced officer training by framing self-sacrifice as the ultimate affirmation of collective duty.^[34] Banzai charges, often the final tactical recourse in desperate battles, embodied this perspective as a ritualized expression of unyielding resolve, where troops advanced en masse shouting "Tenno Heika Banzai!" ("Long live the Emperor!") to invoke imperial eternity and personal redemption through combat. From the viewpoint of Japanese commanders and rank-and-file participants, such actions were not mere suicide but honorable last stands to inflict maximum damage, preserve unit cohesion, and avoid the stigma of defeat, aligning with the army's "death before dishonor" maxim ingrained via barracks rituals and field manuals.^[33] Empirical records from Pacific campaigns, such as the 1943 Guadalcanal banzai assaults involving over 2,000 troops, reflect this mindset, with survivors' accounts and post-battle analyses indicating motivations rooted in shame aversion and fealty rather than tactical optimism.^[35] Even amid wartime exigencies, this honor-bound sacrifice extended beyond charges to broader practices like ritual disembowelment (seppuku) among officers to atone for losses, reinforcing a causal chain where individual demise fortified national spirit and deterred enemy advances through perceived fanaticism. Japanese military doctrine, as articulated in prewar texts like the 1937 Senjinkun (Code of Battlefield Conduct), explicitly forbade surrender, equating it with betrayal and mandating death as the dutiful response, a stance that persisted despite evident high casualties—e.g., near-total annihilation in charges at Saipan in 1944, where 3,000+ troops perished.^[36] While post-1945 reflections critiqued this as excessive zealotry, traditionalist strands in Japanese society continue to venerate such sacrifices at sites like Yasukuni Shrine, honoring over 2.4 million war dead as embodiments of selfless patriotism.

Allied and Western Views

Allied forces in the Pacific theater regarded banzai charges as intensely frightening assaults that exploited surprise and numerical surges, often occurring at night or during defensive lulls, evoking a primal dread among troops unaccustomed to such close-quarters fanaticism. U.S. Marines and soldiers who endured them characterized the experience as profoundly fearful, with the psychological toll stemming from the attackers' apparent disregard for survival and their frenzied cries disrupting rest and morale.^[37] This terror was amplified in early encounters, such as the initial banzai on Guadalcanal in 1942, marking the first against American units and setting a pattern of expected suicidal rushes.^[24] Tactically, Western military assessments deemed banzai charges largely futile against entrenched positions equipped with machine guns, artillery, and small arms, resulting in disproportionate Japanese casualties that hastened unit collapses without territorial gains. The July 7, 1944, assault on Saipan— the war's largest, involving over 4,000 Japanese troops against the U.S. 27th Infantry Division—exemplified this, yielding 4,311 Japanese fatalities versus 406 American deaths and 512 wounded after a 12-hour defense that halted a 1,000-yard penetration.^[4] U.S. officer Major Edward McCarthy described the onslaught as "a cattle stampede from a western movie, except the Japanese just kept on coming," highlighting its chaotic relentlessness amid inevitable slaughter.^[4] Adaptations like tripwires, flares, and pre-sighted fire minimized surprises in later battles, such as Peleliu and Okinawa, where charges devolved into predictable desperation moves.^[38] Post-war Western analyses, including U.S. military histories, portrayed banzai tactics as symptomatic of imperial Japan's ideological rigidity, where bushido-influenced no-surrender doctrines compelled wasteful human-wave attacks over strategic withdrawal, contrasting sharply with Allied emphasis on firepower preservation and maneuver.^[39] This view informed propaganda depicting Japanese forces as inherently barbaric and irrational, reinforcing narratives of cultural incompatibility that rationalized total warfare and atomic bombing decisions.^[40] Memoirs like Eugene B. Sledge's With the Old Breed (1981), recounting Peleliu and Okinawa, underscore the charges' role in escalating mutual savagery, yet attribute their persistence to command failures rather than inherent effectiveness, with U.S. preparations ultimately rendering them self-defeating. Empirical data from campaigns consistently showed attack success rates below 10% against prepared defenses, validating Allied countermeasures over Japanese romanticism of spirit-driven assaults.^[41]

Debates on Effectiveness and Rationality

Military historians have extensively debated the tactical effectiveness of banzai charges, empirical data from key Pacific Theater battles revealing consistent patterns of high Japanese casualties with minimal strategic impact. During the Battle of Saipan on July 7, 1944, General Yoshitsugu Saito ordered a large-scale banzai attack involving over 4,000 Japanese troops, including soldiers, sailors, and civilians, which penetrated American lines temporarily but was repelled by concentrated artillery, machine-gun, and small-arms fire; U.S. forces suffered around 650 killed and wounded while inflicting over 4,000 Japanese deaths, regaining all lost ground by evening and securing the island shortly thereafter.^[4] Similar outcomes characterized earlier engagements like Guadalcanal in 1942–1943, where banzai assaults, such as the September 13, 1943, attack on Henderson Field, temporarily overran positions defended by U.S. Marines and Seabees but were ultimately contained, with Japanese forces suffering near-total annihilation due to superior Allied firepower and preparedness, failing to reverse the campaign's trajectory.^[42] In Iwo Jima (February–March 1945), sporadic banzai charges against entrenched Marines yielded occasional local penetrations but overall reinforced the defenders' advantage, contributing to the near-complete destruction of the 21,000-strong Japanese garrison at a cost of about 6,800 U.S. deaths.^[43] Critics of banzai tactics emphasize their ineffectiveness against industrialized warfare's realities, where massed infantry charges exposed attackers to devastating enfilading fire from automatic weapons and indirect artillery, often achieving kill ratios exceeding 10:1 in favor of defenders; for instance, the Saipan charge's failure stemmed from Japanese troops' lack of covering fire or armor, allowing U.S. artillery to decimate waves before melee contact.^[4] While some analyses note psychological effects, such as temporary Allied morale disruption from the charges' ferocity, these did not translate to operational gains, as U.S. forces adapted with depth defenses, pre-sighted guns, and rapid counterattacks, rendering banzai efforts more akin to ritualistic attrition than viable maneuver.^[44] Proponents, drawing on Japanese doctrinal records, argue limited early successes against less-equipped opponents like Chinese forces in the 1930s validated the approach initially, but its persistence into 1944–1945 reflected desperation amid resource shortages rather than adaptive strategy.^[45] On rationality, banzai charges embodied a cultural-military paradigm prioritizing collective honor and refusal to surrender over individual preservation or probabilistic victory, rational within bushido-influenced imperatives but maladaptive against materially superior foes; Japanese commanders viewed them as "gyokusai" (shattered jewel) suicides to deny enemies prisoners and inflict moral costs, yet causal analysis shows they accelerated force depletion without altering broader logistical or air-naval imbalances.^[4] From a strategic first-principles standpoint, the tactic ignored firepower asymmetries—machine guns delivering 500–600 rounds per minute versus bayonet speeds—leading to predictable massacres, as evidenced by post-battle body counts where few attackers reached close quarters intact.^[45] Historians like those examining Imperial Japanese Army evolution contend the charges' irrationality intensified with war prolongation, as initial underestimation of Allied defensive depth compounded doctrinal rigidity, ultimately hastening defeats by expending irreplaceable manpower on low-odds gambles rather than guerrilla attrition or negotiated terms.^[46] This debate underscores tensions between culturally embedded decision-making and empirical military calculus, with data favoring the latter's verdict of tactical obsolescence.

Modern and Symbolic Uses

Contemporary Celebratory Contexts

In modern Japan, the "Banzai" cheer is invoked during weddings as a toast wishing the couple ten thousand years of prosperity and joy, typically chanted three times while raising glasses, with the practice led by designated speakers to honor the bride, groom, and their families. This custom, emphasizing communal expression of elation and longevity, remains a staple in traditional ceremonies despite evolving social norms.^[11]^[47] National milestones elicit collective "Banzai" shouts, as seen on September 7, 2013, when Tokyo's successful bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics—announced in Buenos Aires—sparked widespread hugs, tears, and cheers across Japan, evoking memories of the 1964 Games amid economic and symbolic significance. Similarly, on December 1, 2022, following Japan's men's national soccer team's 2-1 upset victory over Germany in the FIFA World Cup group stage in Qatar, fans in stadiums and viewing parties nationwide erupted in "Banzai" cries, blending stunned silence with exuberant outbursts.^[48]^[49] Individual triumphs also prompt the cheer, such as after golfer Hideki Matsuyama's win at the 2021 Masters Tournament on April 11, 2021—the first major championship by a Japanese male—yielding nationwide "Banzai" exclamations and financial endorsements projected to exceed $600 million, underscoring its role in marking personal and cultural pride. In broader contexts, "Banzai" functions as a versatile shout of victory or excitement in sports, festivals, and emotional highs, distinct from its historical military connotations and aligned with its etymological root in wishing enduring life.^[50]^[3]

Global Adaptations and Misconceptions

In regions with Japanese diaspora, such as Hawaii, the "Banzai" cheer has adapted into ceremonial toasts at weddings among local families of Japanese descent. Performed by a leader chanting "Banzai" three times with rising volume, participants respond in unison, raise arms, and sip a beverage—typically sake—to invoke wishes for 10,000 years of life for the bride, groom ("Shinro shimpu, banzai!"), and guests ("Raihin shokun, banzai!"). This custom, not observed in mainland Japan, preserves the phrase's celebratory essence while incorporating local wedding etiquette.^[51] Elsewhere in Western culture, "Banzai" occasionally surfaces as an informal exclamation of excitement during social gatherings or games, paralleling "hurrah" or "cheers," though such instances remain sporadic and lack institutionalization. For example, it has appeared in enthusiast chants at events like board game demonstrations before being phased out due to historical associations.^[52]^[53] A widespread global misconception, particularly in Western narratives, confines "Banzai" to World War II-era infantry assaults, framing it as an emblem of irrational, suicidal fanaticism. This stems from Allied encounters with late-war charges—desperate, often officer-led rushes against entrenched positions with scant hope of success—and postwar media depictions, which eclipse its prewar and noncombat roles as a standard acclamation for imperial longevity or communal joy, akin to restrained group expressions under Japanese social norms of harmony.^[3] In truth, such charges were not doctrinally suicidal but evolved into last-ditch efforts amid resource shortages and no-surrender ethos, with commanders like Tadamichi Kuribayashi explicitly banning them on Iwo Jima in 1945 to prolong attrition warfare rather than squander lives futilely.^[28]^[46]

Other References

In Arts and Entertainment

In Disney's 1994 animated film The Lion King, Banzai serves as a secondary antagonist, depicted as an aggressive spotted hyena and high-ranking member of Shenzi's clan who aids in the plot against Mufasa; the character is voiced by Cheech Marin.^[54] The hyena's volatile personality contributes to comedic yet menacing interactions, including physical confrontations with rivals.^[55] The 1984 cult science fiction film The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, directed by W.D. Richter, centers on the polymath protagonist Buckaroo Banzai, a neurosurgeon, physicist, test pilot, and rock musician leading the Hong Kong Cavaliers against alien invaders from the eighth dimension.^[56] The film blends adventure, comedy, and absurdity, earning a dedicated following for its eccentric narrative and Peter Weller's portrayal of the titular hero.^[57] Banzai, a British comedy television series broadcast on Channel 4 from 2001 to 2003, parodies Japanese game shows by presenting viewers with betting opportunities on bizarre, staged events such as endurance challenges or improbable outcomes involving celebrities and contestants.^[58] The format emphasized outrageous humor through hidden-camera setups and absurd predictions, running for multiple episodes before concluding.^[59] An American adaptation aired briefly in 2003–2004, featuring similar interactive betting on ridiculous scenarios with hosts commentating in mock Japanese style.^[60] In video games, Banzai Bug (1996), developed by Vector Development Corporation and published by Sega for the Sega Saturn, features the player controlling the insectoid protagonist Banzai Bug navigating an exterminator's house, avoiding hazards and collecting items in a platforming adventure. The title draws on the term's energetic connotation without direct historical ties.

People and Proper Names

General Yoshitsugu Saitō (1886–1944), commander of Japanese forces on Saipan, ordered the largest Banzai charge of World War II on July 7, 1944, assembling approximately 4,300 troops, including walking wounded and stragglers, for a final assault against U.S. positions in the island's northern sector.^[4] The attack penetrated American lines temporarily but was repelled, after which Saitō committed ritual suicide (seppuku) in adherence to Japanese military honor codes.^[4] Colonel Yasuyo Yamasaki (1891–1943) led the final desperate Banzai charge during the Battle of Attu on May 29, 1943, commanding remnants of the Japanese 303rd Independent Infantry Battalion in an assault on Engineer Hill against U.S. Army positions.^[61] Yamasaki personally directed the attack with sword in hand, resulting in heavy Japanese casualties and his own death amid the failed counteroffensive, which marked the first Banzai charge on North American soil.^[62]^[63] Captain Sakae Ōba (1914–1992) participated in the Saipan Banzai charge under Saitō's orders and subsequently led a group of approximately 50 survivors in guerrilla resistance for 16 months until surrendering to U.S. forces on December 1, 1945, one of the last organized Japanese holdouts of the war.^[4] On Iwo Jima, Captain Samaji Inouye directed a nighttime Banzai assault with about 1,000 men on March 8, 1945, against U.S. Marine lines near Hill 362, defying orders from overall commander General Tadamichi Kuribayashi and inflicting 347 American casualties before being largely annihilated.^[64] During the Battle of Guam, Lieutenant General Takeshi Takashina (1890–1944), commander of the 29th Division, perished on July 28, 1944, while leading or caught in a Banzai counterattack against advancing U.S. forces, after which command passed to General Hideyoshi Obata.^[65]

Organizations and Brands

Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI) operates as a marketing technology firm delivering data-driven solutions for demand generation, including tools for account-based marketing, webinar platforms like Demio, and event automation to engage target audiences. The company, headquartered in the United States, reported adding 179 customers in August 2024, serving enterprises such as Sage and Borealis Group, with a focus on enhancing revenue through experiential marketing.^[66]^[67]^[68] In June 2025, Banzai's planned $53.2 million acquisition of Act-On Software collapsed due to funding shortfalls, highlighting challenges in its expansion strategy.^[69] Banzai also functions as a brand specializing in inflatable outdoor recreational products, such as water slides, pools, sprinklers, and play sets designed for backyard use. Marketed through retailers like Home Depot, Target, and Amazon, these items target children aged 3 and up, emphasizing seasonal water-based fun with features like hydro blasts and splash zones.^[70]^[71]^[72] The brand, associated with Toy Quest, includes lines like Banzai Jr. for younger users and larger water parks, prioritizing safe, cushioned play surfaces.^[73]^[74] Separate from these commercial entities, Banzai.org provides a free online platform for financial literacy and life skills education, targeting schools, communities, and businesses to teach practical topics like budgeting and real-world finance through interactive simulations. Launched to foster financial responsibility, it partners with sponsors for community relationship-building and credits under the Community Reinvestment Act, reaching users via programs like Banzai for Schools and Banzai Together.^[75]^[76]^[77]

References

[1]
Banzai - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
Originating from Japanese, this war-cry means "(may you live) ten thousand years," combining ban "ten thousand" + sai "year," originally a greeting to the ...
[2]
BANZAI Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Etymology. Japanese ; First Known Use. 1892, in the meaning defined above ; Time Traveler. The first known use of banzai was in 1892. See more words from the same ...
[3]
Banzai Cheer Explained - Japan Powered
Nov 19, 2017 · According to dictionaries, the word banzai literally means ten thousand years. The word's origins comes from the Chinese word wansui and ...Missing: term etymology
[4]
Banzai Attack: Saipan | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans
Jul 7, 2020 · On July 7, 1944, the US Army 27th Infantry Division bore the brunt of the largest Banzai attack of the war.
[5]
https://shop.japantruly.com/blogs/learn/meaning-of-banzai-in-japanese
[6]
banzai - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
From Japanese 万歳 ( ばんざい ) (banzai, “long live..., huzzah, hurrah”), from Middle Chinese 萬歲 (mjonH sjwejH), from Old Chinese 萬歲 (*mans s-qʷʰats, “10,000 ...English · Etymology · Interjection · Indonesian
[7]
Banzai : Meaning and Origin of First Name - Ancestry
Derived from the Japanese terms ban (), meaning ten thousand, and sai (), referring to years, Banzai represents a traditional battle cry that has been used ...Missing: etymology | Show results with:etymology
[8]
A History of the Japanese People , F. Brinkley and Dairoku Kikuchi
*Banzai means literally "ten thousand years," and thus corresponds to viva. THE EMPEROR NINKEN. The twenty-fourth sovereign, Ninken, was the elder of the two ...
[9]
BANZAI Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com
Word History and Origins. Origin of banzai. 1890–95; < Japanese ... cheers of "banzai", or "hurray" in Japanese. Read more on BBC. “On this May ...Missing: development | Show results with:development
[10]
'Banzai': A Cheer for Longevity and Joy - Nipino.com
Oct 21, 2024 · When people shouted banzai, they were expressing a hope that the person they honored would live for a long time—ten thousand years being a ...Missing: linguistic | Show results with:linguistic
[11]
Banzai Meaning: Here's What It Means and How to Use It
Dec 29, 2023 · Again, the direct translation for the word banzai from Japanese is “ten thousand years.” Originally, people used this phrase to greet or praise ...<|separator|>
[12]
Interlude Manzai and Yoshimoto vaudeville comedy - A History of ...
Beginning in the Heian period (794–1185), manzai (萬歳 or 万歳) was a magico-religious rite evoking good fortune and long life, performed by a group (for ...
[13]
[PDF] The Art of Tsukkomi: Its Origin and Role In Contemporary Japanese ...
While there existed a court manzai during the Heian period (794-1185), it was the “folk manzai (民間万歳 minkan manzai)” that likely gave rise to today's manzai ...
[14]
The birth of banzai : Japan Forum - Taylor & Francis Online
The promulgation of Japan's first modern constitution in 1889 was followed by a festival, which saw the inaugural cheering of banzai by crowds to greet the ...Missing: Restoration | Show results with:Restoration
[15]
State Shinto and Nationalism in Meiji Japan, by Emma Donington Kiey
Apr 13, 2020 · The Meiji government implemented laws allowing for religious freedom, but created a loophole of faux-secularisation where Shinto was converted ...
[16]
The origin and history of Banzai
Banzai originated in China, used in Japan for joy, became the national shout in 1889, and was used as a battle cry in WWII.Missing: etymology | Show results with:etymology<|separator|>
[17]
[PDF] Meiji Constitution of 1889 - Asia for Educators
Promulgated on February 11, 1889, the Meiji Constitution was a major landmark in the making of the modern. Japanese state and in Japan's drive to become one ...
[18]
Tenno Heika Banzai: History, Meaning and Cultural Impact
Sep 22, 2025 · “Tenno” means Emperor, “Heika” is an honorific for “Your Majesty,” and “Banzai” means “ten thousand years” or “long life.” Together, the ...
[19]
Books: Long Voyage to Death - Time Magazine
Banzai-shouting Japanese troops were pushing the Russians back in Manchuria; Port Arthur was cut off; and the proud Russian ships in the harbor were immobilized ...
[20]
“Human bullets,” A Russo-Japanese War Photo Album
Jan 13, 2022 · The army sustained more than 56,000 casualties in the battle of Port Arthur. (Nogi atoned by ritually disemboweling himself after the Meiji ...
[21]
Baiting the Russian Bear: The Siege of Port Arthur
Japanese naval forces opened the Russo-Japanese War with a sneak attack on Russian ships at Port Arthur in February 1904.
[22]
1943 May 11-29: Battle of Attu - Naval History and Heritage Command
Fought in frigid, Arctic conditions, the struggle continued until May 29th when the remaining Japanese troops, led by Colonel Yamasaki did a banzai charge, ...
[23]
History - U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific
... Banzai charge by Japanese forces against an American unit during the Pacific War. battle of the eastern solomons. August 23-25, 1942. As in the Coral Sea and ...
[24]
Battle of Attu | Article | The United States Army
May 7, 2009 · The Banzai charge caught the American soldiers by surprise and almost succeeded. A mixed group of engineers, medical personnel, and Headquarters ...
[25]
Battle of Tarawa Atoll: Betio: November 20-23, 1943
The Battle of Betio occurred November 20-23, 1943. The 2nd Marine Division landed, faced fierce opposition, and secured the island after a banzai charge.
[26]
Operation Forager Continued: Landings on Guam and Tinian
Jul 18, 2024 · A final Japanese banzai charge occurred during the night of 25 July, but was beaten off. On the afternoon of 28 July, Orote had been secured by ...
[27]
What was a Banzai Charge? - Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute
Oct 25, 2023 · This tactic was used when the Japanese commanders of infantry battalions foresaw that a battle was about to be lost, as a last ditch effort in ...
[28]
None
Summary of each segment:
[29]
Bloody Brawl on Guadalcanal - Warfare History Network
The Japanese lost 600 men in the failed attack, while the Marines suffered 39 casualties. The next morning, the Marines holding the horseshoe along the ...
[30]
Japanese Casualties during the Pacific Theater of WW2
Jun 13, 2022 · Most of the 2.1 million Japanese that died in battle lost their lives by traditional means. Japanese soldiers were killed by land, sea, and ...
[31]
Death Before Dishonor: The Samurai of Japan - HistoryNet
Apr 1, 2016 · “Death before dishonor” was not an empty slogan to the samurai. They lived and died by the strict warrior code, believing that death in battle or even seppuku ...
[32]
In the Army Barracks Of Imperial Japan - Edward J. Drea, 1989
... Japanese Attitudes Toward Modernization, ed. Marius B. Jansen (Princeton ... death before dishonor across Japan's traditional and modern cultures. 26 ...
[33]
The Emperor's Retreat · Narratives of World War II in the Pacific
“Some Japanese soldiers considered surrender a way of courting death, therefore contrary to the Bushido code.”[1] These societal norms, paired with the ...
[34]
'To Us It's Bushido' | Naval History Magazine
Bushido, in Japanese, means the way of the warrior. It goes back to the samurai tradition. A lot of these kids were just barely able to take off, fly the ...
[35]
Bushido and Japanese Atrocities in World War II - Michael Fassbender
Bushido certainly played a substantial role in the atrocities committed by the Japanese in World War II, but it was not Bushido in its proper form, nor did this ...
[36]
War in the Pacific NHP: Liberation - Guam Remembers
So many would give their lives in suicidal charges thought to be honorable ... To Marines and soldiers who experienced a banzai charge, it was fearful.Missing: view | Show results with:view
[37]
H-042-1: Iwo Jima, "Nightmare in Hell"
Feb 17, 2020 · As night fell, the Marines awaited the expected mass banzai charge, and light cruiser Santa Fe stood by to provide illumination rounds.
[38]
N.Y. Guard Soldiers remember Medal of Honor recipients - Army.mil
With no reinforcement and nowhere to retreat, the Japanese commander ordered a final suicidal banzai charge for July 7. At dawn, led by a great red flag in ...
[39]
The War in the Pacific, 1944-1945 | American Experience - PBS
The largest and most fearsome banzai charge of the Pacific War takes place on Saipan. Three thousand suicidal Japanese soldiers attack a U.S. Army division, ...Missing: outcomes | Show results with:outcomes<|control11|><|separator|>
[40]
[PDF] The Assault on Peleliu - Marine Corps University
one suicidal banzai charge. But there had been no banzais on Peleliu, and the terrain was becoming worse instead of better. Optimistically, necessary ...
[41]
World War II Japanese military spirit Banzai charges
Jun 26, 2016 · On Guadalcanal, the Banzai charges were mass wave attacks to achieve victory. The Japanese in the final stage of the various island ...
[42]
Banzai - Warfare History Network
On July 4, General Saito, knowing the battle was lost, ordered a final gyokusai attack (breaking of the jewels), known by the Marines as a Banzai attack.
[43]
Banzai charges | WWII Forums
Jun 16, 2020 · The Banzai charge was usually done by a unit that had been cut off(no orders coming from HQ), had no where to retreat to, and were low on food ...
[44]
Why did the Japanese foolishly use Banzai charges against well ...
Jan 1, 2015 · It used to work against the Chinese who were ill-equipped. However, bayonet charges used to be a fairly common tactic before modern firearms.
[45]
Did the Japanese really believe that Banzai charges were ... - Reddit
Jan 22, 2013 · TIL that shouting the Japanese term 'Banzai' (万歳), during WWII, is a historical analog for shouting Arabic 'Allahu Akbar' (الله أكبر) before ...r/AskHistorians on Reddit: What exactly was a "Banzai Charge" and ...TIL that shouting the Japanese term 'Banzai' (万歳), during WWII, is a ...More results from www.reddit.com
[46]
Culture Note: the "Banzai" Toast at Weddings
Nov 10, 2013 · The banzai toast is actually comprised of two toasts, led by two separate people, the first being from the guests to the bride and groom, and the second one ...
[47]
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: hugs, tears and shouts of 'banzai' greet news ...
Sep 8, 2013 · Tokyo 2020 Olympics: hugs, tears and shouts of 'banzai' greet news of victory ... The 1964 Tokyo Games, held less than 20 years after Japan's ...
[48]
'Banzai' cheers unite Samurai Blue fans half a world away - 朝日新聞
Dec 2, 2022 · Some Japanese supporters cried after the upset win while others shouted “banzai.” And others remained silent, stunned by the outcome that ...
[49]
'Banzai' at the Masters | Inquirer Opinion
Apr 19, 2021 · Matsuyama's victory was worth $2.07 million, with endorsements expected to reach $600 million. One sports financial analyst predicts that his ...
[50]
The Banzai Toast. What is it and how is it done. - A Perfect Day Hawaii
Apr 18, 2022 · The Banzai toast, common at Japanese weddings, wishes 10,000 years of life. Guests chant "Banzai" three times, then take a sip. It's local to ...
[51]
Cheers in Japanese: Drinking Etiquette in Japan - TripSavvy
Sep 14, 2022 · The easiest way to say cheers in Japanese is with an enthusiastic kanpai! (sounds like "gahn-pie"). You may hear banzai! shouted at some point.
[52]
FFG to discontinue "BANZAI!" chant before Legend of the Five Rings ...
Oct 7, 2017 · No more shouting traditional Imperial Japanese war cries before games.Can someone explain the origin of the Banzai thing that shows up in ...Does anyone remember saying "Bonsai!" and jumping into a body of ...More results from www.reddit.com
[53]
Banzai - The Lion King (Movie) - Behind The Voice Actors
Cheech Marin is the voice of Banzai in The Lion King, and Ben Hiura is the Japanese voice. Movie: The Lion King Franchise: Lion King. Incarnations.
[54]
Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi - The Lion King (1994) - IMDb
Banzai: [In the hyenas' lair, Banzai slouches with claw marks on his rear] Man, that lousy Mufasa... I won't be able to sit for a *week!*
[55]
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension - IMDb
Rating 6.2/10 (32,048) Adventurer, brain surgeon, rock musician Buckaroo Banzai and his crime-fighting team, the Hong Kong Cavaliers, must stop evil alien invaders from the eighth ...Full cast & crew · Trivia · Parents guide · Quotes
[56]
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension
Rating 67% (45) A state-of-the-art spaceship flying at the speed of light without narrative coordinates, Buckaroo Banzai is the very oddest good movie in many a full moon.
[57]
Banzai (TV Series 2001–2003) - IMDb
Rating 6.9/10 (212) Post-pub TV at its best. The programme is basically a series of bizarre bets, where the viewer is invited to bet on what the outcome will be.
[58]
Watch Banzai | Stream free on Channel 4
Cult Japanese-style no-holds-barred betting show, often involving celebrities - always involving hilarity. Place your bets on a series of bizarre, and ...
[59]
Banzai (TV Series 2003–2004) - IMDb
Rating 6.9/10 (95) Banzai: With Adam Sandler, Samuel L. Jackson, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Love Hewitt. Oriental game show hosts hold betting on ridiculous challenges.
[60]
Banzai Attack on Attu!: US Army Combat Engineers in the Aleutian ...
A small and ill-equipped band of US Army combat engineers found themselves squarely in the path of one of the largest Japanese Banzai attacks of World War Two.
[61]
Yasuyo Yamasaki - World War II Database
Yamasaki's counterattack on 29 May 1943, labeled by the Americans as one of the "banzai charges" conducted by the Japanese during the war, penetrated American ...
[62]
Battle-Damaged Helmet of Alvy Morgado | The National WWII Museum
Jan 23, 2025 · Elsewhere along the front line, the rest of the Japanese garrison under Colonel Yasuyo Yamasaki had launched a ferocious banzai charge, resigned ...
[63]
Iwo Jima: Why Did The WW2 Battle Happen, Why Was It So Hard ...
One of the senior Japanese commanders, Captain Samaji Inouye, drew his sword, and the lieutenant knelt with his head bowed awaiting his death. But as Inouye ...
[64]
Battle of Guam - War In The Pacific National Historical Park (U.S. ...
May 16, 2025 · The Final Battle for Guam. After Takashina's death on July 28, General Hideyoshi Obata assumed command of the remaining 6000 Japanese soldiers ...Preparing for Invasion · Ashore in the North · The Southern Beach · Attack on FonteMissing: leader | Show results with:leader
[65]
Banzai | Data-Driven Demand Gen Solutions
Leverage Banzai's solutions to transform your target ICP into engaged, brand-aware prospects. Learn more about Reach and Demio today.Our Culture · Contact Us: Banzai’s Support... · Banzai Blog · Customers
[66]
Banzai Adds 179 Customers in August 2024 as New Technology ...
Sep 17, 2024 · “Thousands of customers are now relying on Banzai, and in August we welcomed brands including Sage, Borealis Group, Millworks Analytics and ...
[67]
Banzai International 2025 Company Profile - PitchBook
Banzai International Inc is a marketing technology (MarTech) company that produces data-driven marketing and sales solutions for businesses of all sizes.Missing: brands | Show results with:brands
[68]
Banzai's $53M Act-On acquisition falls apart after funding collapses
Jun 17, 2025 · Banzai International's $53.2 million acquisition of Portland's Act-On Software unraveled after the Seattle-area company's funding fell through.
[69]
Banzai | Backyard Fun!
We're the industry leader in seasonal outdoor products including water blasters, pools, water parks and flat water slides. Banzai brings the fun, adventure & ...Water Slides · Pool Toys · Contact · Water Parks
[70]
BANZAI - The Home Depot
4.5 4.7K · Store nearby · Free in-store returnsBANZAIBig Blast Inflatable Outdoor Water Park and Cannon Splash Slide Pool Lagoon · BANZAIHydro Blast Inflatable Play Water Park with Slides and Water Cannons.
[71]
Banzai products at Target
4.7 5.9K · Store nearby · Free delivery over $35Shop Target for a wide assortment of Banzai. Choose from Same Day Delivery, Drive Up or Order Pickup. Free standard shipping with $35 orders. Expect More.
[72]
Banzai - Nerf Wiki - Fandom
Banzai is a brand of outdoor toys owned by Toy Quest. It primarily focuses on producing water guns and other pool and water toys, such as slides, balls, and ...
[73]
Banzai Product Lineup
Banzai Product Lineup ... LoungeLife Pool Floats. #LoungeLife Pool Floats (5) ... Backyard Water. Backyard Water (10) ... Banzai Jr. Banzai Jr (69) ... Bouncers. Bouncers ...Missing: brand | Show results with:brand
[74]
Banzai: FREE financial literacy education and life skills training
Teach real-world finance and practical life skills with Banzai's free interactive financial education platform.
[75]
About Us - Banzai
At Banzai, we are dedicated to reshaping financial and life literacy education into a captivating curriculum that leaves a lasting imprint on both adults and ...Our Mission · Teachers · Businesses
[76]
Partner with Banzai: Boost Financial Literacy & CRA Credit
Banzai helps you build relationships with schools, community programs, and businesses while simultaneously creating a culture of financial literacy.Banzai Direct · Banzai For Schools · Banzai Together