WWII Imperial Japanese Army Guards Division Cigarette Case Military Rescript
This is a prewar Imperial Japanese Army metal cigarette case associated with the Imperial Guard Division, one of the most prestigious formations of the former Japanese Army. At the top of the front is the distinctive Imperial Guard Division emblem, rather than a generic Army star. Large characters on either side read: – Loyalty – Valor Below the emblem is a design based on a commemorative plaque associated with Army Commemoration Day, and within the plaque are the Five Principles of the Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors. The Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors was issued by Emperor Meiji in 1882 and became one of the central foundations of military education in prewar Japan. Its five principal virtues were: Loyalty, Courtesy, Valor, Faithfulness, and Frugality. These principles were repeatedly taught to Japanese soldiers and sailors as the moral standards expected of military personnel. The combination of the Imperial Guard Division emblem, the words “Loyalty” and “Valor, ” and the Five Principles of the Imperial Rescript gives this small personal item unusually strong historical character. The Imperial Guard Division had its roots in the forces responsible for protecting the Emperor and the Imperial Palace. The original Guards Division organization was reorganized during World War II, and the Imperial Japanese Army itself ceased to exist following Japan’s surrender in 1945. The Imperial Rescript likewise lost its role as a military code with the dissolution of the armed forces. Cigarettes were also closely connected with everyday military life. A metal cigarette case was both a practical personal accessory and something a serviceman could carry in his uniform pocket. The original retaining straps remain inside the case. Approximate size: 7.5 × 9 × 1.5 cm The surface shows age-related wear, rust, scratches, and loss of plating. These signs of use are part of the object’s nearly century-old character. This is not simply a cigarette case. It is a small surviving object that preserves the symbols, values, and everyday material culture of Japan’s prewar military world. Own a Piece of History. International Buyers – Please Note.