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CONSTITUTION OF THE EMPIRE OF JAPAN, 1889
Imperial Oath Sworn in the Sanctuary in the Imperial Palace
(Tsuge-bumi)
We, the Successor to the prosperous Throne of Our Predecessors, do
humbly and solemnly swear to the Imperial Founder of Our House and
to Our other Imperial Ancestors that, in pursuance of a great policy
co-extensive with the Heavens and with the Earth, We shall maintain
and secure from decline the ancient form of government.
In consideration of the progressive tendency of the course of human
affairs and in parallel with the advance of civilization, We deem it
expedient, in order to give clearness and distinctness to the instructions
bequeathed by the Imperial Founder of Our House and by Our other
Imperial Ancestors, to establish fundamental laws formulated into
express provisions of law, so that, on the one hand, Our Imperial
posterity may possess an express guide for the course they are to follow,
and that, on the other, Our subjects shall thereby be enabled to enjoy a
wider range of action in giving Us their support, and that the
observance of Our laws shall continue to the remotest ages of time. We
will thereby to give greater firmness to the stability of Our country and
to promote the welfare of all the people within the boundaries of Our
dominions; and We now establish the Imperial House Law and the
Constitution. These Laws come to only an exposition of grand precepts
for the conduct of the government, bequeathed by the Imperial Founder
of Our House and by Our other Imperial Ancestors. That we have been
so fortunate in Our reign, in keeping with the tendency of the times, as
to accomplish this work, We owe to the glorious Spirits of the Imperial
Founder of Our House and of Our other Imperial Ancestors.

We now reverently make Our prayer to Them and to Our Illustrious
Father, and implore the help of Their Sacred Spirits, and make to Them
solemn oath never at this time nor in the future to fail to be an example
to our subjects in the observance of the Laws 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 behold the
prosperity of Our country, and the welfare of Our subjects, We do
hereby, in virtue of the Supreme power We inherit from Our Imperial
Ancestors, promulgate the present immutable fundamental law, for the
sake of Our present subjects and their descendants.
The Imperial Founder of Our House and Our other Imperial ancestors,
by the help and support of the forefathers of Our subjects, laid the
foundation of Our Empire upon a basis, which is to last forever. That
this brilliant achievement embellishes the annals of Our country, is due
to the glorious virtues of Our Sacred Imperial ancestors, and to the
loyalty and bravery of Our subjects, their love of their country and their
public spirit. Considering that Our subjects are the descendants of the
loyal and good subjects of Our Imperial Ancestors, We doubt not but
that Our subjects will be guided by Our views, and will sympathize
with all Our endeavors, and that, harmoniously cooperating together,
they will share with Us Our hope of making manifest the glory of Our
country, both at home and abroad, and of securing forever the stability
of the work bequeathed to Us by Our Imperial Ancestors.
Preamble [or Edict) (Joyu)
Having, by virtue of the glories of Our Ancestors, ascended the throne
of a lineal succession unbroken for ages eternal; desiring to promote the
welfare of, and to give development to the moral and intellectual
faculties of Our beloved subjects, the very same that have been favored
with the benevolent care and affectionate vigilance of Our Ancestors;
and hoping to maintain the prosperity of the State, in concert with Our
people and with their support, We hereby promulgate, in pursuance of
Our Imperial Rescript of the 12th day of the 10th month of the 14th
year of Meiji, a fundamental law of the State, to exhibit the principles,
by which We are guided in Our conduct, and to point