Explored the nationalist connotations of the Scottish folk song "Auld Lang Syne" and its impact on East Asian countries. Pence expressed his longing for his hometown in Scotland through this song, while also creating a model of Scottish national identity. Since the 19th century, East Asian countries have faced a crisis of foreign cultures, and Pence's expression of nationalism has reference significance. After the introduction of "Auld Lang Syne" to Japan, it was adapted into the national song "Firefly Light" and played an important role in the formation of Japan's modern nation-state. After the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese government carried out educational reforms, and music reform became an important part of children's education. In this context, the creation of "Firefly Light" presents a constantly expanding trend of Japan's "imperial consciousness", and with the development of militarism, its ideological connotation continues to change, even targeting China directly. After the war, 'Firefly Light' transformed into a Japanese 'cultural tradition', and many of its issues are worth exploring. However, the research on "Firefly Light" in China's academic community is still insufficient. This article analyzes the nationalist manifestations of "Auld Lang Syne", sorts out its development trajectory after being introduced to Japan, and explains the entire process of "Firefly Light" becoming a tool for extreme nationalism and colonial expansion in modern Japan.

National Cultural Memories in Auld Lang Syne

Explored the significant role of Scottish folk song 'Auld Lang Syne' in Scottish national identity and cultural memory. After Scotland was incorporated into the Kingdom of Great Britain, the crisis of national identity gave rise to the popularity of ethnic music. Robert Burns incorporated folk songs and dialects into his poetry creation by returning to the Scottish literary tradition, becoming a Scottish national idol and symbol of national identity. The melody and lyrics of 'Auld Lang Syne' evoke Scottish nostalgia and homesickness, reflecting a sense of pride in Scottish cultural traditions and nationalist ideas. This song reinforces the Scottish national identity through collective memory. At the beginning of the 20th century, with the spread of Western culture, "Auld Lang Syne" had a widespread influence in various countries in East Asia. In China and North Korea, this song has been adapted to express nationalist demands against Japanese aggression. In Japan, it was adapted into "Firefly Light", advocating militaristic ideology and reflecting the inherent logic of Japan's colonial expansion.

The fusion of Eastern and Western cultures in "Firefly Light"

Since the 19th century, Western civilization has had an impact on the East. After the Meiji Restoration, Japan actively absorbed Western educational ideas and promoted policies of civilization and enlightenment. In 1872, the Japanese Ministry of Education stipulated that "singing" must be included in teaching subjects, linking music with national development, arousing community emotions through music, and controlling the thoughts and bodies of the people. Izawa Shuji went to the United States to study music education. After returning to China, he proposed to sing Japanese music scores with Western melodies, making singing a compulsory subject in elementary school. In 1879, the Ministry of Education established the "Music Adjustment and Hanging" program, with Ize serving as the class leader to promote the development of music education. In 1880, American music educator Mason came to Japan to assist in music research and selectively applied European and American music to Japanese school education. In 1884, the compilation of the first official music textbook in modern Japan, "Elementary School Singing Collection," was completed with music tuning and hanging, using many British songs. The 20th song of "Elementary School Singing Collection", "Firefly Light", was re written by Chiying Inagaki and accompanied by the melody of "Auld Lang Syne". The song title is taken from the Chinese allusion of "Yingying Yingxue". The lyrics of 'Firefly Light' have undergone significant changes, adopting the traditional Japanese model and reflecting the cultural context of the Meiji Restoration government. Ize defined "Firefly Light" as the "graduation song" and warned students to work together for the country. The song 'Firefly Light' gradually became a must-have piece at school graduation ceremonies, reflecting the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures during the Meiji period, and is a product of the ideology of the modern Japanese imperial system.

Nationalism and Colonial Expansion in 'Firefly Light'

In the early Meiji period, Japan faced a crisis of national sovereignty and the impact of Western culture, leading to a shift in the connotations of "monarch" and "country". Loyalty shifted from feudal lords to emperors, and a sense of belonging shifted from local feudal states to national states. After the promulgation of the "Edict of Education", imperial power and imperial consciousness were strengthened, and Confucianism became a tool to serve the imperial system. The songs in the "Elementary School Singing Collection" promote loyalty to the monarch and patriotism, reflecting national policies and national psychology. Songs such as' Firefly Light 'are not only used as teaching materials and ritual songs, but also for conscription policies and external expansion propaganda, meeting the political needs of militarism. After the promulgation of the Education Edict, extreme nationalism was further strengthened, and the lyrics reflected the essence of colonial aggression. The Japanese government advocates for the protection of its territory by its citizens around the purpose of serving and shaping the monarchy, and nationalism is closely linked to the concept of the monarchy. The lyrics of "Firefly Light" such as "Deep in the Kuril Islands, Outside Okinawa" reflect Japan's propaganda of imperial expansion and record the entire process from occupying the surrounding areas to invading mainland China. With the changing political demands, the lyrics have also undergone changes, such as "Deep in the Kuril Islands, Outside Okinawa" changing to "Taiwan's Betula and Vegetables Fragrance", reflecting the process of colonial expansion. Firefly Light "strengthens imperial consciousness and promotes the formation of national identity in children's education. The attitude towards China in modern Japanese literary works is complex, with both longing and contempt and ambition. Nationalism has transformed into a sense of superiority and alliance consciousness in its outward expansion, becoming a theoretical tool for the expansion of militarism. As a cultural tool, "Firefly Light" played a role in the formation of the Japanese nation-state. The lyrics range from reminiscing about learning time to defending territory and expanding overseas, presenting extreme nationalist colors. After World War II, the lyrics of "Firefly Light" removed colonial colors and became a cultural symbol of farewell. The Japanese government uses nostalgia to establish national identity, selectively forgetting the heavy history behind the lyrics and shaping the country's image. This nostalgia cuts off the temporal and spatial connection with colonial expansion, obscuring the experiences and emotions of the people of the invaded countries, and reflecting the distortion of national collective memory. Comments on 'Firefly Light' should explore the historical truth behind it, rather than just focusing on nostalgic emotions.