Kokutai is a concept in the Japanese language translatable as "system of government", "sovereignty", "national identity, essence and character", "national polity; body politic; national entity; basis
The nationalistic essence of kokutai is thought of as the uniqueness of the Japanese polity as issuing from a leader of divine origin.
The Constitution of the Empire of Japan, known informally as the Meiji Constitution, was the constitution of the Empire of Japan which was proclaimed on February 11, 1889, and remained in force betwee
Meiji Constitution promulgation by Toyohara Chikanobu
Conference on Drafting a Constitution by Goseda Hōryū [ja], showing Itō Hirobumi explaining the draft to the Emperor and the Privy Council in June 1888 (Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery)
Ceremony for the Promulgation of the Constitution by Wada Eisaku, showing the Emperor presenting the Constitution to Prime Minister Kuroda Kiyotaka at a ceremony in the Imperial Palace on 11 February 1889 (Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery)
Grand Parade to Celebrate the Constitution, also on the day of promulgation, by Katata Tokurō [ja] (Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery)