kokutai-ideology
The national polity centered on the emperor, combining nationalism and racial myths, serving as the spiritual and political foundation for the military and society.
2 chapters across 1 book
Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan (2000)Herbert P. Bix
Chapter 1 details Crown Prince Hirohito's rigorous military and liberal arts education at the Ogakumonjo, emphasizing tactical proficiency, leadership, and strict discipline under close supervision. It also explores the ideological indoctrination into nationalism, racial superiority, and the divine myth of imperial descent, alongside the militarized structure of the imperial family and the evolving challenges faced by the Japanese military after World War I, including declining morale and questioning of traditional imperial authority.
Chapter 5 explores the complexities of the Japanese imperial lineage and the political dynamics during Emperor Hirohito's reign, focusing on how imperial ceremonies like the enthronement and the daijsai rite were used to reinforce kokutai ideology and national identity. It details the state's strategic use of rituals, education, and censorship to promote the emperor's divine and militaristic image, suppress dissent, and maintain political control amid rising nationalism and social tensions in the late 1920s.