Gensui (Imperial Japanese Navy)

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Kaigun-gensui 海軍元帥
Gensui Badge
Country	Japanese Empire
Service branch	Imperial Japanese Navy
Formation	20 January 1898
Abolished	1945
Next higher rank	Dai-gensui
Next lower rank	Admiral
Equivalent ranks	Gensui (Army)

Kaigun-gensui (海軍元帥, Marshal of the Navy), formal rank designations: Gensui-kaigun-taishō (元帥海軍大将, Marshal-admiral) was the highest rank in the Imperial Japanese Navy. The term gensui was used for both the navy and the Imperial Japanese Army, and was a largely honorific title awarded for extremely meritorious service to the Emperor. In the Meiji period, the title was awarded to five generals and three admirals. In the Taishō period it was awarded to six generals and six admirals, and in the Shōwa period it was awarded to six generals and four admirals. It was similar to Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Navy and Fleet admiral in the United States Navy.