Imperial Rescript on Education
The Imperial Rescript on Education (教育勅語 KyÃÂôiku Chokugo) was signed by Emperor Meiji of Japan on October 30, 1890. It was distributed to every school in the Japanese Empire, along with a portrait of the Emperor that was to be kept hidden from view. The Rescript pushed traditional ideals of Confucianism, and in many ways was the beginning of Japan's fascism movement that reached its peak during the era of Japanese expansionism.
The Rescript commanded students to "furthermore advance public good and promote common interests; always respect the Constitution and observe the laws; should emergency arise, offer yourselves courageously to the State; and thus guard and maintain the prosperity of Our Imperial Throne coeval with heaven and earth."