Who was this person?
A prince who helped his aunt, Empress Suiko, govern Japan. Working with Soga no Umako, he is credited with the Twelve Cap Ranks, the Seventeen-Article Constitution, embassies to Sui China and the founding of Hōryū-ji to spread Buddhism (how much was his own work is debated).
| Name | Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子) |
|---|---|
| Born–died | 574 – 622 |
| Period | Asuka period |
| Also known as | Umayado no Ō, Prince Umayado |
| Main achievements |
|
Born a son of Emperor Yōmei; his mother was Princess Anahobe no Hashihito. He was named Umayado ("stable door"), from a legend that his mother went into labor in front of a stable.
Soga no Umako, who embraced Buddhism, fought Mononobe no Moriya, who opposed it. The 13-year-old prince joined the Soga side and, it is said, carved images of the Four Heavenly Kings to pray for victory, later founding Shitennō-ji as promised.
When his aunt Empress Suiko took the throne, he became crown prince and helped govern as regent, working with Soga no Umako. The legend that he could hear ten petitions at once reflects his famed wisdom.
The empress issued an edict to promote Buddhism, and the great clans vied to build temples. The prince led the way in spreading the teachings.
He took the Goguryeo monk Eji as his teacher, studying Buddhism and continental learning in depth. The Baekje monk Esō also arrived and joined in spreading Buddhism.
He began building a palace at Ikaruga in Nara and later moved there; this spot a little apart from Asuka became the base of his work.
He set up the Twelve Cap Ranks, promoting officials by talent and merit rather than birth. Ranks were shown by cap colors, aiming at a state less dependent on clan power.
He issued the Seventeen-Article Constitution, opening "Harmony is to be valued", setting out how officials should behave: settle things by discussion, revere Buddhism, obey the sovereign.
He sent Ono no Imoko to Sui China. The letter beginning "The Son of Heaven where the sun rises, to the Son of Heaven where the sun sets" reportedly displeased Emperor Yang. Around then he is said to have built Hōryū-ji at Ikaruga.
Imoko returned with the Sui envoy Pei Shiqing. That year the prince sent Imoko again, along with students such as Takamuko no Kuromaro and the monk Min, whose learning would later underpin the Taika Reforms.
He is said to have compiled the Sangyō Gisho, commentaries on three Buddhist sutras (whether he wrote them himself is debated).
With Soga no Umako he compiled the chronicles Tennōki and Kokki, the first attempt to record the country's origins.
After his mother, his consort fell ill and died, and the next day the prince died at 48. People mourned as if they had lost a parent. His consort Tachibana no Ōiratsume preserved his words "The world is illusion; only the Buddha is true" in an embroidery, the Tenjukoku Mandala. Today he is sometimes called Umayado-ō, and his achievements are debated.
A. A prince who helped his aunt, Empress Suiko, govern Japan. Working with Soga no Umako, he is credited with the Twelve Cap Ranks, the Seventeen-Article Constitution, embassies to Sui China and the founding of Hōryū-ji to spread Buddhism (how much was his own work is debated).
A. Period: Asuka period. Born in 574, died in 622.
A. A set of 17 rules on how officials should behave, dated to 604 in the Nihon Shoki. It opens with "harmony is to be valued" and urges respect for Buddhism and obedience to imperial orders.
See also: Wikipedia (ja) / Wikipedia (en) / Wikipedia (fr) / Wikipedia (zh) / Wikidata
Follow this life (autoplay)Soga no UmakoPrince Naka no Ōe (Emperor Tenji)
Soga no UmakoNakatomi no Kamatari (Fujiwara no Kamatari)Prince Naka no Ōe (Emperor Tenji)Empress Jitō
People of the Asuka period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.