Marshal's Office

The highest military advisor to the Emperor. It was established by the Marshal's Office Ordinance promulgated on January 20, 1898 (Meiji 31). According to the Imperial Rescript issued at the same time, admirals of the army and navy who had particularly distinguished service were selected to be advisors to the Emperor, and generals enlisted in the Marshal's Office were given the title of marshal. Compared to military councilors who waited for consultation and then submitted their proposals to the emperor, the marshals who were the highest military advisors had far greater powers, and played a role in the military equivalent to that of genro in state affairs. There was no retirement age for marshals, and they held the position for life. This was meant to increase the authority of the military in opposition to the growing influence of political parties, but because it was a lifetime system, the elderly maintained their authority, which led to the military's strengthening of its conservative and reactionary nature. It was abolished on November 30, 1945.

[Akira Fujiwara]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

天皇の軍事上の最高顧問。1898年（明治31）1月20日公布の元帥府条例によって設置された。同時に下された勅語によると、陸海軍大将のなかでとくに老功卓抜なる者を選んで天皇の顧問とするもので、元帥府に列せられた大将には元帥の称号が与えられた。諮詢(しじゅん)を待って上奏する軍事参議官に比べ、軍事上の最高顧問とされた元帥の権能ははるかに大きく、国務における元老に等しい役割を軍事上で演じた。元帥には定年がなく、終身その地位にあった。政党の勢力伸長に対抗して、軍部の権威を高める意味があったが、終身制のため老齢者が権威を保って、軍の保守的、反動的性格を強める原因となった。昭和20年11月30日廃止。

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