Dai-gensui


Dai-gensui, formal rank designations: Dai-gensui-riku-kai-gun-taishō was the highest rank of the Greater Imperial Japanese Army and the Imperial Japanese Navy from the 1870s to 1945, when the Empire of Japan was dissolved. The rank was only ever held by the Emperor of Japan as commander-in-chief of the Empire's Armed Forces and, separately, the highest ranking officer in each of the Armed Services. The rank was equivalent to a generalissimo or general of the armies and admiralissimo or admiral of the navy, being a six-star rank senior to the rank of gensui. It formally became obsolete in 1947 when the Imperial Japanese armed forces were abolished.

History

The term originated in the Chinese military title da yuan shuai, a title higher than yuan shuai.
Decree No. 252 by the Dajokan, dated 7 September 1872 first made formal mention of the rank of dai-gensui; however, no appointments to the rank were made before the rank was abolished along with that of gensui on 8 May 1873. By "Draft Ordinance No. 142" of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan of 30 September 1889, the Emperor was officially given the rank of dai-gensui and installed as supreme commander of the Army and Navy.
The kanji characters also refer to a Buddhist deity, Daigensui Myō'ō, 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, just like a military leader.

Insignia

The insignia of a dai-gensui were identical to those of a full general, with the addition of the gold imperial chrysanthemum.

List of ''dai-gensui''

The holders of this rank were:
HolderLifetimeTime in rankNotes
Meiji Emperor3 November 1852 – 30 July 19121872–1873
1889–1912
Taishō Emperor31 August 1879 – 25 December 19261912–1926
Shōwa Emperor29 April 1901 – 7 January 19891926–1945Held the rank until 15 August 1945 when Japan surrendered to the Allies, rank officially abolished in 1947.