Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors
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The Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors (軍人勅諭, Gunjin Chokuyu) was the official code of ethics for military personnel, and is often cited along with the Imperial Rescript on Education as the basis for Japan's pre-World War II national ideology. All military personnel were required to memorize the 2700 kanji document.
The Rescript was issued by Emperor Meiji of Japan on 4 January 1882. It was considered the most important document in the development of the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy.
Description
The Imperial Rescript was primarily written by Inoue Kowashi and Yamagata Aritomo (two of the Meiji Oligarchs), along with some stylistic flourishes added by the pro-government journalist Fukuchi Gen'ichiro.[1]
The Rescript was presented to
The Rescript also contains a number of Confucian themes including "proper respect to superiors,"[This quote needs a citation] and also draws upon Buddhist influences in that, "The soldier and the sailor should make simplicity their aim."[2] A precept in the Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors states that "duty is heavier than a mountain; death is lighter than a feather";[3] this was later used by Robert Jordan in his book series The Wheel of Time.
References
- ISBN 0-393-04156-5.
- ISBN 978-0-8032-7089-3.
- ^ Tsunoda, et al. Sources of Japanese Tradition II (Columbia University Press, 1958)
External links
- Text of the Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors at the Wayback Machine (archived January 20, 2019)