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The Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors (軍人勅諭 =
Gunjin Chokuyu) was the official code of ethics for the Japanese military
personnel from its publication in 1882 until 1948, when it was officially
denounced.
All 2700 kanjis of the Imperial Rescript was to be
memorized by every IJA member, despite being written in a peculiar "Court"
Japanese language (by contrast IJN required learning, not memorization, of the
Imperial Rescript).
Importance of this document in moral education of
Japanese military was such, that a song was composed about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAXssvglBgM
A good introduction to the history of the Imperial
Rescript can be found here: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/japanese-militaria/imperial-rescript-soldiers-sailors-687558/
Eugen Pinak
F
IMPERIAL RESCRIPT
TO SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
The forces of Our Empire are in all ages
under the command of the Emperor. It is more than twenty-five centuries since
the Emperor Jimmu, leading in person the soldiers of the Otomo and Minonobe'
clans, subjugated the unruly tribes of the land and ascended the Imperial Throne
to rule over the whole country. During this period the military system has
undergone frequent changes in accordance with those in the state of society. In
ancient times the rule was that the Emperor should take personal command of the
forces; and although the military authority was sometimes delegated to the
Empress or to the Prince Imperial, it was scarcely ever entrusted to a subject.
In the Middle Ages, when the civil and military institutions were framed after
the Chinese model, the Six Guards were founded, the Right and Left Horse Bureaus
established, and other organizations, such as that of the Coast Guards, created.
The military system was thus completed, but habituated to a prolonged state of
peace, the Imperial Court gradually lost its administrative vigour; in course of
time soldiers and farmers became distinct classes, and the early conscription
system was replaced by an organization of volunteers, which finally produced the
military class. The military power passed over entirely to the leaders of this
class; through disturbances in the Empire the political power also fell into
their hands; and for about seven centuries the military families held sway.
Although these results followed from changes in the state of society and were
deeply to be deplored, since they were contrary to the fundamental character of
Our Empire and to the law of Our Imperial Ancestors.
Later on, in the eras of Kokwa and Kaei,
the decline of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the new aspect of foreign relations
even threatened to impair our national dignity, causing no small anxiety to Our
August Grandfather, the Emperor Ninko, and Our August Father, the Emperor Komei,
a fact which We recall with awe and gratitude. When in youth We succeeded to the
Imperial Throne, the Shogun returned into Our hands the administrative power,
and all the feudal lords their fiefs; thus, in a few years, Our entire realm was
unified and the ancient regime restored. Due as this was to the meritorious
services of Our loyal officers and wise councilors, civil and military, and to
the abiding influence of Our Ancestors' benevolence towards the people, yet it
must also be attributed to Our subjects' true sense of loyalty and their
conviction of the importance of "Great Righteousness." In consideration of these
things, being desirous of reconstructing Our military system and enhancing the
glory of Our Empire, We have in the course of the last fifteen years established
the present system of the Army and Navy. The supreme command of Our forces is in
Our hands, and although We may entrust subordinate commands to Our subjects, yet
the ultimate authority We Ourself shall hold and never delegate to any subject.
It is Our will that this principle be carefully handed down to posterity and
that the Emperor always remain the supreme civil and military power, so that the
disgrace of the middle and succeeding ages may never be repeated.
Soldiers and Sailors, We are your
supreme Commander-in-Chief. Our relations with you will be most intimate when We
rely upon you as Our limbs and you look up to Us as your head. Whether We are
able to guard the Empire, and so prove Ourself worthy of heaven's blessing and
repay the benevolence of Our Ancestors depends upon the faithful discharge of
your duties as soldiers and sailors. If the majesty and power of Our Empire be
impaired, do you share with Us the sorrow; if the glory of Our arms shine
resplendent, We will share with you the honour. If you all do your duty, and
being one with Us in spirit do your utmost for the protection of the State, Our
people will long enjoy the blessings of peace, and the might and dignity of Our
Empire will shine in the world. As We thus expect much of you, Soldiers and
Sailors, We give you the following precepts:-
(1)
The soldier and the sailor should consider loyalty their
essential duty.
Who that is born in this land can be
wanting in the spirit of grateful service to it? No soldier or sailor,
especially, can be considered efficient unless this spirit be strong within him.
A soldier or a sailor in whom this spirit is not strong, however well ordered
and disciplined it may be, is in an emergency no better than a rabble. Remember
that, as the protection of the State and the maintenance of its power depend
upon the strength of its arms, the growth or decline of this strength must
affect the nation's destiny for good or for evil; therefore neither be led
astray by current opinions nor meddle in politics, but with single heart fulfil
your essential duty of loyalty, and bear in mind that duty is weightier than a
mountain, while death is lighter than a feather. Never by failing in moral
principle fall into disgrace and bring dishonour upon your name.
(2)
The soldier and the sailor should be strict in observing
propriety.
Soldiers and sailors are organized in
grades, from the Marshal and the Admiral of the Fleet down to the private
soldier or ordinary seamen; and even within the same rank and grade there are
differences in seniority of service according to which juniors should submit to
their seniors. Inferiors should regard the orders of their superiors as issuing
directly from Us. Always pay due respect not only to your superiors but also to
your seniors, even though not serving under them. On the' other hand, superiors
should never treat their inferiors with contempt or arrogance. Except when
official duty requires them to be strict and severe, superiors should treat
their inferiors with consideration, making kindness their chief aim, so that all
grades may unite in their service to the Emperor. If you, Soldiers and Sailors,
neglect to observe propriety,
treating your superiors with disrespect
and your inferiors with harshness, and thus cause harmonious co-operation to be
lost, you will not only be a blight upon the forces but also be unpardonable
offenders against the State.
(3)
The soldier and the sailor should esteem valour.
Ever since the ancient times valour has
in our country been held in high esteem, and without it Our subjects would be
unworthy of their name. How, then, may the soldier and the sailor, whose
profession it is to confront the enemy in battle, forget even for one instant to
be valiant? But there is true valour and false. To be incited by mere
impetuosity to violent action cannot be called true valour. The soldier and the
sailor should have sound discrimination of right and wrong, cultivate
self-possession, and form their plans with deliberation. Never to despise an
inferior enemy or fear a superior, but to do one's duty as soldier or
sailor--this is true valour. Those who thus appreciate true valour should in
their daily intercourse set gentleness first and aim to win the love and esteem
of others. If you affect valour and act with violence, the world will in the end
detest you and look upon you as wild beasts. Of this you should take heed.
(4)
The soldier and the sailor should highly value
faithfulness and righteousness.
Faithfulness and righteousness are the
ordinary duties of man, but the soldier and the sailor, in particular, cannot be
without them and remain in the ranks even for a day. Faithfulness implies the
keeping of one's word, and righteousness the fulfillment of one's duty. If then
you wish to be faithful and righteous in anything, you must carefully consider
at the outset whether you can accomplish it or not. If you - thoughtlessly agree
to do something that is vague in its nature and bind yourself to unwise
obligations, and then try to prove yourself faithful and righteous, you may find
yourself in great straights from which there is no escape. In such cases your
regrets will be of no avail, hence you
must first make sure whether the thing
is righteous and reasonable or not. If you are convinced that you cannot
possibly keep your word and maintain righteousness, you had better abandon your
engagement at once. Ever since the ancient times there have been repeated
instances of great men and heroes who, overwhelmed by misfortune, have perished
and left a tarnished name to posterity, simply because in their effort to be
faithful in small matters they failed to discern right and wrong with reference
to fundamental principles, or because, losing sight of the true path of public
duty, they kept faith in private relations. You should, then, take serious
warnings by these examples.
(5)
The soldier and the sailor should make simplicity their
aim.
If they do not make simplicity your aim,
you will become effeminate and frivolous and acquire fondness for luxurious and
extravagant ways; you will finally grow selfish and sordid and sink to the last
degree of baseness, so that neither loyalty nor valour will avail to save you
from the contempt of the world. It is not too much to say that you will thus
fall into a life-long misfortune. If such an evil once makes its appearance
among soldiers and sailors, it will certainly spread like an epidemic, and
martial spirit and morale will instantly decline. Although, being greatly
concerned on this point, We lately issued this Disciplinary Regulations and
warned you against this evil, nevertheless, being harassed with anxiety lest it
should break out, We hereby reiterate Our warning. Never do you, Soldiers and
Sailors, make light of this injunction.
These five articles should not be
disregarded even for a moment by soldiers and sailors. Now for putting them into
practice, the all important is sincerity. These five articles are the soul of
Our soldiers and sailors, and sincerity is the soul of these articles. If the
heart be not sincere, words and deeds, however good, are all mere outward show
can avail nothing. If only the heart be sincere, anything can be accomplished.
Moreover, these five articles are the Grand Way of heaven and Earth and the
universal law of humanity, easy to observe and to practice. If you, Soldiers and
Sailors, in obedience to and to fulfil your duty of grateful service to the
country, it will be a source of joy, not to Ourself alone, but to all people of
Japan.
The 4th day of the 1st month of the 15th
Year of Meiji.
(Imperial Sign Manual)
All rights reserved/Copyright© Eugen Pinak, unless otherwise noted.