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TheImperial 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 theImperial Rescript on Education as the basis for Japan's pre-World War II national ideology. All military personnel were required to memorize the 2700kanji document.
TheRescript was issued byEmperor Meiji ofJapan on 4 January 1882. It was considered the most important document in the development of theImperial Japanese Army andImperial Japanese Navy.
TheImperial Rescript was primarily written byInoue Kowashi andYamagata Aritomo (two of theMeiji Oligarchs), along with some stylistic flourishes added by the pro-government authorFukuchi Gen'ichirō.[1]
TheRescript was presented toArmy MinisterYamagata Aritomo directly by Emperor Meiji in person in a special ceremony held at theTokyo Imperial Palace. This unprecedented action was meant to symbolize the personal bond between the Emperor and the military, making the military in effect, the Emperor's personal army. Coming shortly after theSatsuma Rebellion, theRescript stressed absolute personal loyalty of each individual member of the military to the Emperor. TheRescript also cautioned military personnel to avoid involvement withpolitical parties or politics in general, and to avoid being influenced by current opinions in the newspapers, reflecting Yamagata's distrust of politicians in particular and democracy in general. TheRescript also advises military personnel to be frugal in their personal habits (reflecting back to thesamurai tradition), and respectful and benevolent to civilians (reflecting on European traditions ofchivalry).[citation needed] However, a clause that the military was subordinate to civilian authority did not make it into the final draft.
TheRescript also contains a number ofConfucian themes including "proper respect to superiors,"[This quote needs a citation] and also draws uponBuddhist influences in that, "The soldier and the sailor should make simplicity their aim."[2] A precept in theImperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors states that "duty is heavier than a mountain; death is lighter than a feather";[3]this was later used byRobert Jordan in his book seriesThe Wheel of Time.[citation needed]
