noun
the Imperial Army; heaven-sent army
Historical term for the Imperial Japanese Army, often with a reverent or poetic connotation. The literal meaning is 'heaven-sent army'.
天兵は明治維新後に創設された。
The Imperial Army was established after the Meiji Restoration.
彼は天兵の一員として戦った。
He fought as a member of the Imperial Army.
From 天 (heaven) + 兵 (soldier), literally 'heaven-sent soldiers'. The term was used historically to refer to the Imperial Japanese Army with a reverent connotation.