Prince Shotoku
Regent under Empress Suiko, who drew up the Seventeen-Article Constitution, sent envoys to the Sui dynasty and promoted Buddhism.
Life
Prince
Prince Shotoku was the son of Emperor Yomei, and his given name was Umayado. In 593 his aunt Empress Suiko took the throne, and he served as regent with the rank of crown prince, governing jointly with the minister Soga no Umako.
Reform and diplomacy
He established the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System, granting office on the basis of ability, and promulgated the Seventeen-Article Constitution, which stressed that "harmony is to be valued," reverence for the Buddhist Dharma and obedience to the emperor. In 607 he sent Ono no Imoko as an envoy to the Sui dynasty with a state letter that read "The Son of Heaven where the sun rises addresses the Son of Heaven where the sun sets," which displeased Emperor Yang of Sui. He built Horyu-ji and Shitenno-ji and personally lectured on Buddhist sutras.
Buddhism
He died in 622. His deeds were heavily mythologized by later generations, and some scholars have questioned certain of the legends.
Legacy
Prince Shotoku is regarded as the founder of the ancient Japanese state and its Buddhist culture, and his portrait once appeared on yen banknotes of several denominations.
Major works & achievements
- Seventeen-Article Constitution
- "Commentaries on the Three Sutras" (attributed)
Did you know? Legend has it that his name "Umayado" ("stable door") comes from his mother giving birth to him in front of a stable door.
Key dates
- 593Became regent
- 603Established the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System
- 604Promulgated the Seventeen-Article Constitution
- 607Sent Ono no Imoko as an envoy to the Sui; founded Horyu-ji
- 622Died