 Takamasa characterizes Japan as a nation whose emperor is enthroned by the Heavenly Decree and whose state is governed by the shogun. The shogun encourages its people to uphold and preserve the virtues of duty, filial piety, and chastity, while the daimyo protect their domains. The people work industriously in their various occupations. Takamasa asserts Japan’s emperor is superior among the monarchs of the world because Japan’s imperial lineage, unlike the others, is uninterrupted from ancient times. He cites this as evidence for the greatness and superiority of Japan among nations of the world. To make the Japanese aware of such things including their need to continuously uphold the virtues of duty, filial piety, and chastity is the focal point of his “Hongaku” form of Kokugaku teachings. He goes as far as to say that such teachings should even be taught to foreigners.