Dai-gensui
| Dai-gensui 大元帥 (Japanese) | |
|---|---|
The Shōwa Emperor in the dress uniform of a grand marshal (c. 1935) | |
| Country | Empire of Japan |
| Service branch | Imperial Japanese Army Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Formation | 1872 |
| Abolished | 1947 |
| Next lower rank | Gensui (army and navy variant) |
The Supreme Commander-in-chief of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy (Japanese: 大元帥陸海軍大将, romanized: Dai-gensui-riku-kai-gun-taishō) was the highest rank of the Imperial Japanese Army and the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1871 to 1945, when the Empire of Japan was dissolved. The rank of dai-gensui was the highest rank in the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces and was held solely by the Emperor of Japan in his capacity as Supreme commander-in-chief. It formally became obsolete in 1945 when the Imperial Japanese military was abolished.
History
The term originated from the Chinese military title da yuan shuai (大元帥), a title higher than yuan shuai (元帥, pronounced gensui in Japanese).
Decree No. 252 by the Dajokan, dated 7 September 1872, formally recognized the rank of dai-gensui; however, no appointments were made before the rank was abolished along with that of gensui on 8 May 1873. According to "Draft Ordinance No. 142" of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan (Chapter 1 Part 1) issued on 30 September 1889, the Emperor was officially granted the rank of dai-gensui and designated as supreme commander of the Army and Navy.
The kanji characters also refer to a Buddhist deity, Daigensui Myō'ō (大元帥明王), a Wisdom King worshipped by the Imperial Court since Emperor Ninmyō and by the Shingon sect, for its legendary miraculous power to quell foreign enemies and rebellions, much like a military leader.
Insignia
The insignia for the rank of dai-gensui were similar to those of an Imperial Japanese Army General or Imperial Japanese Navy Admiral, distinguished by the addition of the gold imperial chrysanthemum emblem.
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Army collar insignia
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Army shoulder insignia
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Naval shoulder insignia
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Naval collar insignia
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Naval sleeve insignia
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Naval sleeve insignia
List of holders
| Portrait | Name (birth–death) |
Term of office | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | |||
| Meiji Emperor (1852–1912) |
1889 | 30 July 1912 † | 23–24 years | ||
| Taishō Emperor (1879–1926) |
30 July 1912 | 25 December 1926 † | 13–14 years | ||
| Shōwa Emperor (1901–1989) |
25 December 1926 | 2 September 1945 | 18–19 years | ||
See also
- Other pronunciations of the characters 大元帥
- Dayuanshuai in Chinese
- Taewonsu, the Korean equivalent
- The higher rank of gensui (元帥)
References
- Donald Keene, Emperor of Japan, Meiji and his World 1852–1912