Five Foot Long Scroll with Emperor Meiji Imperial Rescripts

$175.00

The paper scroll is approximately 59 inches long and 20 inches wide, with a lacquered wooden dowel at the bottom and a string tie at the top for ease of display. The scroll displays a portrait of Emperor Meiji in full dress military uniform, and above that portrait and above the portrait are three of his imperial rescripts, or announcements. Above the text is the title of “War Victory Commemoration”. Below the title are the “Declaration of War” (with Russia); the “Peace Rescript”; and the “Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors “. The scroll is in very good to excellent condition, without tears or holes. Translations of the scroll are as follow:

Imperial Edict on declaration of war against Russia
 We, by the Grace of Heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on the Throne occupied by a line of Emperor’s unbroken for age eternal, do hereby make proclamation to all Our loyal and brave subjects as follows:

We hereby declare war against Russia and We command Our army and navy to carry on hostilities against Russia with all their strength, and We also command all Our competent authorities to make every effort in pursuance of their duties, and in accordance with their powers, to attain the national cause with all the means within the limits of the law of nations.

We have always deemed it essential to international relations and made it Our constant aim to promote the pacific progress of Our Empire in civilization, to strengthen Our friendly ties with other states, and to establish a state of things which would maintain enduring peace in the East Asia and assure the future security of Our Empire without injury to the rights and interests of other powers. This is what We have emphasized when negotiating with other countries, and We have always endeavored not to violate this thought. Our competent authorities have also performed their duties in obedience to Our will, so that Our relations with the Powers have been steadily growing cordiality. It was thus entirely against Our expectation that We have unhappily come to open hostilities against Russia.

The integrity of Korea is a matter of constant concern to Our Empire. It is not only because of Our traditional relations with that country, but because the independence of Korea is essential to the safety of Our realm. Nevertheless, Russia, in disregard of her solemn treaty pledges to China, her repeated assurances to other Powers, is till in occupation of Manchuria and has consolidated and strengthened her hold upon three provinces, and is bent upon their final annexation.

And since the absorption of Manchuria by Russia would render it impossible to maintain the integrity of Korea and would in addition compel the abandonment of all hope for peace in the Far East. We determined in those circumstances to settle the question by negotiation, and to secure thereby permanent peace. With that object in view, Our competent authorities, by Our order, made proposals to Russia, and frequent conferences were held during the course of six months. Russia, however, never met such proposals in a spirit of conciliation.

But by her wanton delays Russia put off the settlement of the question and by ostensibly advocating peace on the one hand while she was on the other extending her naval and military preparations, sought to make us succumb to Russia. We cannot in the least admit that Russia had from the first any serious or genuine desire for peace. She has rejected the proposals of Our Government; the safety of Korea is in danger, the vital interests of Our Empire are menaced.

The guarantees for the future which We have failed to secure by peaceful negotiations We can only now seek by an appeal to arms. It is Our earnest wish that by the loyalty and valor of Our faithful subjects, peace may soon be permanently restored and the glory of Our Empire preserved.

Imperial Edict on peace with Russia
 We exerted all possible efforts by considering that it is the most important thing to maintain the peace in Asia and secure the safety of Our Empire. By so doing, it was always Our prayer that the intent of the Emperor shall be bright. Unfortunately, We had to open the battle with Russia last year and it was necessary and unavoidable for the defense of Our country.

It is of course through the authority of Our Imperial Ancestors and at the same time the results of professional loyalties of civil officials and military servicemen and brave contributions of Our people. The foundation of the Japanese Empire has been strengthened and the national interest greatly promoted through the 20 months of battles. We, as the Emperor, always make efforts to pursue peaceful reign and never desire the circumstances where people are agonized in a long period of war by exerting the forces.

The President of the United States of America lately counseled for peace between the Japanese and the Russian governments from the standpoints of respect for humanity and peace. We deeply appreciated his good wishes and followed his advice to appoint the plenipotentiaries to conduct peace negotiations.

Since then, the plenipotentiaries of Japan and Russia had a number of negotiations. Russia showed their good faith in their desire for peace by responding to Our demands relating to the objectives of the war and the peace of Asia that We proposed. We, as the Emperor, read the treaty arranged by the plenipotentiaries and it was in accordance with Our wishes. Consequently, We ratified the treaty with pleasure.

We obtained both peace and glory through this, and are glad that We can be proud toward Our Ancestors and transmit Our success to posterity. Sharing the honors with Our people, We hope to maintain peace with other countries. We have restored the relations with Russia to those of the pre-war days, and Russia is a friend of Our Empire. In other words, We have restored the relationship with Russia as a friendly neighboring country and believe that the relationship will be far closer.

We believe that the progress of the world shall never cease, and administration of verious affairs of State must be continuing domestically and abroad. We can maintain the glory of the country forever and continue the progress of the nation eternally by further preparing the arms even after the war and further strengthening the politics and education of the nation after the victory of the war.

Stay alert after the victory. It is never permitted to arouse the feeling of conceit or negligence without reviewing Our own conducts and amendment. You, people of Japan, should obey Our intention and make efforts in this regard by working hard to strengthen the foundation for making the nation wealthier and stronger.

                                                                                                          Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors

Soldiers and Sailors, We are your supreme Commander-in-Chief. Our relations with your will be most intimate when We rely upon you as Our limbs and you look up to Us as your head. Whether We are able to guard the Empire, and so prove Ourself worthy of Heaven’s blessings and repay the benevolence of Our Ancestors, depends upon the faithful discharge of your duties as soldiers and sailors. If the majesty and power of Our Empire be impaired, do you share with Us the sorrow; if the glory of Our arms shine resplendent, We will share with you the honor. If you all do your duty, and being one with Us in spirit do your utmost for the protection of the state, Our people will long enjoy the blessings of peace, and the might and dignity of Our Empire will shine in the world. As We thus expect much of you, Soldiers and Sailors, We give you the following precepts:

I. The soldier and sailor should consider loyalty their essential duty. Who that is born in this land can be wanting in the spirit of grateful service to it? No soldier or sailor, especially, can be considered efficient unless this spirit be strong within him. A soldier or a sailor in whom this spirit is not strong, however skilled in art or proficient in science, is a mere puppet; and a body of soldiers or sailors wanting in loyalty, however well ordered and disciplined it may be, is in an emergency no better than a rabble. Remember that, as the protection of the state and the maintenance of its power depend upon the strength of its arms, the growth or decline of this strength must affect the nation’s destiny for good or for evil; therefore neither be led astray by current opinions nor meddle in politics, but with single heart fulfill your essential duty of loyalty, and bear in mind that duty is weightier than a mountain, while death is lighter than a feather. Never by failing in moral principle fall into disgrace an bring dishonor upon your name.

The second article concerns the respect due to superiors and considerations to be shown inferiors.

3. The soldier and the sailor should esteem valor …. To be incited by mere impetuosity to violent action cannot be called true valor. The soldier and the sailor should have sound discrimination of right and wrong, cultivate self-possession, and form their plans with deliberation. Never to despise an inferior enemy or fear a superior, but to do one’s duty as soldier or sailor—this is true valor. Those who thus appreciate true valor should in their daily intercourse set gentleness first and aim to win the love and esteem of others. If you affect valor and act with violence, the world will in the end detest you and look upon you as wild beasts. Of this you should take heed.
4. The soldier and the sailor should highly value faithfulness and righteousness.…Faithfulness implies the keeping of one’s word, and righteousness the fulfillment of one’s duty. If then you wish to be faithful and righteous in any thing, your must carefully consider at the outset whether you can accomplish it or not. If you thoughtlessly agree to do something that is vague in its nature and bind yourself to unwise obligations, and then try to prove yourself faithful and righteous, your may find yourself in great straits from which there is no escape….Ever since ancient times there have been repeated instances of great men and heroes who, overwhelmed by misfortune, have perished and left a tarnished name to posterity, simply because in their effort to be faithful in small matters they failed to discern right and wrong with reference to fundamental principles, or because, losing sight of the true path of public duty, they kept faith in private relations. You should, then, take serious warning by these examples.
5. The soldier and sailor should make simplicity their aim. If you do not make simplicity your aim, you will become effeminate and frivolous and acquire fondness for luxurious and extravagant ways; you will finally grow selfish and sordid and sink to the last degree of baseness, so that neither loyalty nor valor will avail to save you from the contempt of the world.

These five articles should not be disregarded even for a moment by soldiers and sailors. Now for putting them into practice, the all important thing is sincerity. These five articles are the soul of Our soldiers and sailors, and sincerity is the soul of these articles. If the heart be not sincere, words and deeds, however good, are all mere outward show and can avail nothing. If only the heart be sincere, anything can be accomplished. Moreover these five articles are the “Grand Way” of Heaven and earth and the universal law of humanity, easy to observe and to practice. If you, Soldiers and Sailors, in obedience to Our instruction, will observe and practice these principles and fulfil your duty of grateful service to the country, it will be a source of joy, not to Ourself alone, but to all the people of Japan.

 

Sold!

Item Number: 52206 Category: