Dai-gensui
The Supreme Commander-in-chief of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy was the highest rank of the Imperial Japanese Army and the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1872 to 1945, when the Empire of Japan was dissolved. The rank of dai-gensui was the highest rank in the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces and was held solely by the Emperor of Japan in his capacity as Supreme commander-in-chief. It formally became obsolete in 1945 when the Imperial Japanese military was abolished.
History
The term originated from the Chinese military title da yuan shuai, a title higher than yuan shuai.Decree No. 252 by the Dajokan, dated 7 September 1872, formally recognized the rank of dai-gensui; however, no appointments were made before the rank was abolished along with that of gensui on 8 May 1873. According to "Draft Ordinance No. 142" of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan issued on 30 September 1889, the Emperor was officially granted the rank of dai-gensui and designated as supreme commander of the Army and Navy.
The kanji characters also refer to a Buddhist deity, Daigensui Myō'ō, a Wisdom King worshipped by the Imperial Court since Emperor Ninmyō and by the Shingon sect, for its legendary miraculous power to quell foreign enemies and rebellions, much like a military leader.