Dai-gensui

The Shōwa Emperor in the dress uniform of a Grand Marshal (c. 1935)

Dai-gensui (grand marshal; literally "great marshal" (大元帥)) was the highest rank of the Greater Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy from the 1870s to 1945, when the Empire of Japan was dissolved. Only ever held by the Emperor of Japan as commander-in-chief of the Empire, the rank was equivalent to a generalissimo or general of the armies (a six-star rank), and senior to the rank of gensui ("marshal"). It formally became obsolete in 1947 when the Imperial Japanese armed forces were abolished.

History

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 (Chapter 1 Part 1) of 30 September 1889, the Emperor was officially given the rank of dai-gensui and installed as Supreme Commander of the Army and Navy.

Insignia

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

Shoulder:    Collar:

List of dai-gensui

The holders of this rank were:

References

• This article incorporates information from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia.
• Donald Keene, Emperor of Japan, Meiji and his World 1852-1912