Dai-gensui

{{Short description|Highest rank in the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy}}

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{{Infobox military rank

| name = {{lang|ja-Latn|Dai-gensui}}

| native_name = {{native name|ja|大元帥}}

| image = Hirohito in dress uniform.jpg

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| caption = The Shōwa Emperor in the dress uniform of a grand marshal ({{circa|1935}})

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| country = {{flag|Empire of Japan}}

| service branch = {{army|Empire of Japan}}
{{navy|Empire of Japan}}

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| formation = 1872

| abolished = 1947

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| lower rank = {{lang|ja-Latn|Gensui}} (army and navy variant)

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The Supreme Commander-in-chief of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy ({{langx|ja|大元帥陸海軍大将|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 {{lang|ja-Latn|da yuan shuai}} (大元帥), a title higher than {{lang|ja-Latn|yuan shuai}} (元帥, pronounced {{lang|ja-Latn|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.

File:Generalissimo collar rank insignia (Japan).png|Army collar insignia

File:Generalissimo rank insignia (Japan).png|Army shoulder insignia

File:Imperial Japan-Navy-OF-10-shoulder.svg|Naval shoulder insignia

File:Imperial Japan-Navy-OF-10-collar.svg|Naval collar insignia

File:Imperial Japan-Navy-OF-10-sleeve.svg|Naval sleeve insignia

File:Imperial Japan-Navy-OF-10-sleeve (Black).svg|Naval sleeve insignia

List of holders

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! rowspan=2| Portrait

! rowspan=2| Name
{{small|(birth–death)}}

! colspan=3| Term of office

! rowspan=2| {{Abbr|Ref.|Refences}}

Took office

! Left office

! Time in office

80px

| Meiji Emperor
{{small|(1852–1912)}}

| 1889

| 30 July 1912 †

| {{age in years|1888|1912}} years

|

80px

| Taishō Emperor
{{small|(1879–1926)}}

| 30 July 1912

| 25 December 1926 †

| {{age in years|1912|1926}} years

|

80px

| Shōwa Emperor
{{small|(1901–1989)}}

| 25 December 1926

| 2 September 1945

| {{age in years|1926|1945}} 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)
  • Yuanshuai, the original Chinese title
  • Wonsu, the Korean equivalent

References