Army War College - Rikugundai Gakko

The highest educational and research institute in the former Japanese Army. Founded in 1883 (Meiji 16). Its main purpose was to select and enroll the best officers from each regiment and provide them with a three-year education to become staff officers and general officers. In 1923 (Taisho 12), a system of students specializing in military affairs was established, enrolling a small number of field officers, and in 1933 (Showa 8), a system of students specializing in military affairs for short-term education was established. Graduates formed an elite class among officers and monopolized key positions, but because their education was biased toward tactics and military history, the army was led by soldiers with narrow perspectives and a lack of flexible thinking. Graduates wore insignia shaped like Tenpo coins, and were therefore known as the Tenpo coin group. In 1936, the insignia was abolished.

[Yoshida Yutaka]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

旧日本陸軍最高の教育研究機関。1883年（明治16）開校。各連隊士官中の優秀者を選抜して入学させ、これに3年間の幕僚・将帥教育を施すことをおもな目的とした。1923年（大正12）には専攻学生の制度を設けて少数の佐官を入学させ、33年（昭和8）には短期教育のための専科学生の制度が設けられている。卒業生は将校中のエリート層を形成し要職を独占したが、その教育が戦術・戦史教育に偏向していたこともあって、視野の狭い柔軟な思考を欠いた軍人が陸軍を指導する結果ともなった。卒業生は天保(てんぽう)銭型の徽章(きしょう)をつけていたため天保銭組とよばれる。36年には徽章廃止。

［吉田　裕］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例