National Spiritual Mobilization
A stoic figure is depicted with stone-like ruggedness illuminated by the light of hope and backed by the rising sun of Japan in the top-left. Japanese poster calling for the spiritual mobilization of its populace to steel themselves for the upcoming conflict. It celebrates the ardor of struggle, reminding each of his duty towards the national cause and the dogged determination that will guide one through it and towards eventual triumph. The red text at the bottom is a four-letter Japanese lexeme roughly translating to “unyielding perseverance, untiring endurance”, alluding to the stoic character of the Japanese people and calling for them to exercise this iron-willed spirit in the face of adversity.
As espoused by General Sadao Araki of the Spiritual Mobilization Movement, there existed a widespread belief in the Japanese martial ethos that pure will could overcome material shortcomings, reflecting Nietzsche’s concept of the will to power. As with many Nietzschean concepts, it is a prevalent train of thought within many right-wing philosophies. While limited in its application to the economic sciences, its theoretical significance to individual psychology and contribution to the spiritual integrity of the Japanese people cannot be overstated.
The National Spiritual Mobilization Movement addressed civilian morale as part of Japan’s wider efforts to mobilize its economic and human resources for total war as enacted in the General Mobilization Law of 1938 issued by Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe. Konoe sought to rid domestic infighting through means similar to the German Gleichschaltung, in which Japanese society was reorganized to coordinate its efforts, resulting in the nationalization of key industries and the establishment of a technofascist state headed by the Taisei Yokusankai (Imperial Rule Assistance Association). The national polity was anatomically likened to a biological organism, wherein its constituent sectors would function semi-autonomously as individual bodily organs would, with the ruling party acting as the central nervous system to direct its efforts. Drawn from the Kokutai (national body) theory, it is comparable to corporatist methods of economic management as espoused in general fascist economic theory. Its etymological likeness is also worth noting, as the term corporatism is derived from Latin corpus, meaning body, much like how the Kokutai views the nation in anatomical terms.
According to Kokutai theory, the cultural essence of a people constitute eternal and immutable aspects of the national polity, derived from history, tradition, and custom. As opposed to the primary and eternal nature of the Kokutai, the secondary Seitai refers to the form of government contingent to historical circumstances, being ever-changing as a result, The construction a Seitai that reflects the inalterable and organic essence of the Kokutai must thus be pursued par the same logic that technology be subject to the inalterable laws of nature to properly function.
Illustrated by Hiroshi Ouchi.
Text reads: Imperial Government. National Citizenry Spiritual Mobilization Movement. Unyielding Perseverance, Untiring Endurance.
Free shipping on orders over $50!
- Satisfaction Guaranteed
- No Hassle Refunds
- Secure Payments
A stoic figure is depicted with stone-like ruggedness illuminated by the light of hope and backed by the rising sun of Japan in the top-left. Japanese poster calling for the spiritual mobilization of its populace to steel themselves for the upcoming conflict. It celebrates the ardor of struggle, reminding each of his duty towards the national cause and the dogged determination that will guide one through it and towards eventual triumph. The red text at the bottom is a four-letter Japanese lexeme roughly translating to “unyielding perseverance, untiring endurance”, alluding to the stoic character of the Japanese people and calling for them to exercise this iron-willed spirit in the face of adversity.
As espoused by General Sadao Araki of the Spiritual Mobilization Movement, there existed a widespread belief in the Japanese martial ethos that pure will could overcome material shortcomings, reflecting Nietzsche’s concept of the will to power. As with many Nietzschean concepts, it is a prevalent train of thought within many right-wing philosophies. While limited in its application to the economic sciences, its theoretical significance to individual psychology and contribution to the spiritual integrity of the Japanese people cannot be overstated.
The National Spiritual Mobilization Movement addressed civilian morale as part of Japan’s wider efforts to mobilize its economic and human resources for total war as enacted in the General Mobilization Law of 1938 issued by Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe. Konoe sought to rid domestic infighting through means similar to the German Gleichschaltung, in which Japanese society was reorganized to coordinate its efforts, resulting in the nationalization of key industries and the establishment of a technofascist state headed by the Taisei Yokusankai (Imperial Rule Assistance Association). The national polity was anatomically likened to a biological organism, wherein its constituent sectors would function semi-autonomously as individual bodily organs would, with the ruling party acting as the central nervous system to direct its efforts. Drawn from the Kokutai (national body) theory, it is comparable to corporatist methods of economic management as espoused in general fascist economic theory. Its etymological likeness is also worth noting, as the term corporatism is derived from Latin corpus, meaning body, much like how the Kokutai views the nation in anatomical terms.
According to Kokutai theory, the cultural essence of a people constitute eternal and immutable aspects of the national polity, derived from history, tradition, and custom. As opposed to the primary and eternal nature of the Kokutai, the secondary Seitai refers to the form of government contingent to historical circumstances, being ever-changing as a result, The construction a Seitai that reflects the inalterable and organic essence of the Kokutai must thus be pursued par the same logic that technology be subject to the inalterable laws of nature to properly function.
Illustrated by Hiroshi Ouchi.
Text reads: Imperial Government. National Citizenry Spiritual Mobilization Movement. Unyielding Perseverance, Untiring Endurance.
