The Rescript was presented to Army Minister Yamagata Aritomo directly by Emperor Meiji in person in a special ceremony held at the Tokyo Imperial Palace. This unprecedented action was meant to symbolize the personal bond between the Emperor and the military, making the military in effect, the Emperor's personal army. Coming shortly after the Satsuma Rebellion, the Rescript stressed absolute personal loyalty of each individual member of the military to the Emperor.
The Rescript was presented by Emperor Meiji directly to Army Minister Yamagata Aritomo at a special ceremony held in the Tokyo Imperial Palace. This unprecedented act aimed to demonstrate the personal bond between the Emperor and the military, making the army essentially the Emperor's personal force. Following the Satsuma Rebellion, the Rescript emphasized the absolute loyalty of each soldier to the Emperor.