After the Russo-Japanese War, the word came into use to refer to those who, in particular, died for the country and the 'churei' or 'chukon' (Loyal Souls) of the fallen officers and soldiers who are enshrined at Yasukuni-jinja Shrine and Gokoku-jinja Shrine.
日露戦争以降、特に国に殉じた人々、靖国神社・護国神社に祀られている戦没将兵の「忠魂」・「忠霊」と称されていたものを指して使われ始めた。