Imperial Oath Sworn in the Sanctuary in the Imperial Palace
(Tsuge-bumi)
We, the Successor to the prosperous Throne of OurPredecessors, do humbly and solemnly swear to the ImperialFounder of Our House and to Our other Imperial Ancestors that, inpursuance of a great policy co-extensive with the Heavens andwith the Earth, We shall maintain and secure from decline theancient form of government.
In consideration of the progressive tendency of the courseof human affairs and in parallel with the advance ofcivilization, We deem it expedient, in order to give clearnessand distinctness to the instructions bequeathed by the ImperialFounder of Our House and by Our other Imperial Ancestors, toestablish fundamental laws formulated into express provisions oflaw, so that, on the one hand, Our Imperial posterity may possessan express guide for the course they are to follow, and that, onthe other, Our subjects shall thereby be enabled to enjoy a widerrange of action in giving Us their support, and that theobservance of Our laws shall continue to the remotest ages oftime. We will thereby to give greater firmness to the stabilityof Our country and to promote the welfare of all the peoplewithin the boundaries of Our dominions; and We now establish theImperial House Law and the Constitution. These Laws come to onlyan exposition of grand precepts for the conduct of thegovernment, bequeathed by the Imperial Founder of Our House andby Our other Imperial Ancestors. That we have been so fortunatein Our reign, in keeping with the tendency of the times, as toaccomplish this work, We owe to the glorious Spirits of theImperial Founder of Our House and of Our other Imperial Ancestors.
We now reverently make Our prayer to Them and to OurIllustrious Father, and implore the help of Their Sacred Spirits,and make to Them solemn oath never at this time nor in the futureto fail to be an example to our subjects in the observance of theLaws hereby established.
May the heavenly Spirits witness this Our solemn Oath.
Imperial Rescript on the Promulgation of the Constitution
Whereas We make it the joy and glory of Our heart to beholdthe prosperity of Our country, and the welfare of Our subjects,We do hereby, in virtue of the Supreme power We inherit from OurImperial Ancestors, promulgate the present immutable fundamentallaw, for the sake of Our present subjects and their descendants.
The Imperial Founder of Our House and Our other Imperialancestors, by the help and support of the forefathers of Oursubjects, laid the foundation of Our Empire upon a basis, whichis to last forever. That this brilliant achievement embellishesthe annals of Our country, is due to the glorious virtues of OurSacred Imperial ancestors, and to the loyalty and bravery of Oursubjects, their love of their country and their public spirit.Considering that Our subjects are the descendants of the loyaland good subjects of Our Imperial Ancestors, We doubt not butthat Our subjects will be guided by Our views, and willsympathize with all Our endeavors, and that, harmoniouslycooperating together, they will share with Us Our hope of makingmanifest the glory of Our country, both at home and abroad, andof securing forever the stability of the work bequeathed to Us byOur Imperial Ancestors.
Preamble [or Edict] (Joyu)
Having, by virtue of the glories of Our Ancestors, ascendedthe throne of a lineal succession unbroken for ages eternal;desiring to promote the welfare of, and to g