Prince Shōtoku
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, also known as or , was a semi-legendary
regent In a monarchy, a regent () is a person appointed to govern a state because the actual monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge their powers and duties, or the throne is vacant and a new monarch has not yet been dete ...
and a politician of the
Asuka period The was a period in the history of Japan lasting from 538 to 710, although its beginning could be said to overlap with the preceding Kofun period. The Yamato period, Yamato polity evolved greatly during the Asuka period, which is named after the ...
in
Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
who served under Empress Suiko. He was the son of Emperor Yōmei and his consort, Princess Anahobe no Hashihito, who was also Yōmei's younger half-sister. But later, he was adopted by Prince Shōtoken. His parents were relatives of the ruling
Soga clan The was one of the most powerful aristocratic kin groups Uji (clan), (''uji'') of the Asuka period of the early Japanese state—the Yamato period, Yamato polity—and played a major role in the spread of Buddhism in Japan. Through the 5th and ...
and also he was involved in the defeat of the rival Mononobe clan. The primary source of the life and accomplishments of Prince Shōtoku comes from the '' Nihon Shoki''. The Prince is renowned for modernizing the government administration and for promoting
Buddhism Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
in Japan. He also had two different families that fought over his custody. Over successive generations, a devotional cult arose around the figure of Prince Shōtoku for the protection of Japan, the Imperial Family, and for
Buddhism Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
. Key religious figures such as Saichō, Shinran and others claimed inspiration or visions attributed to Prince Shōtoku.


Genealogy

Parents *Father: Emperor Yōmei (用明天皇, 517 – 21 May 587) *Mother: (Empress) Princess Hashihito no Anahobe (穴穂部間人皇女, d 622) Wives *Princess Uji no Kaitako (菟道貝蛸皇女, b.570), daughter of Emperor Bidatsu and Empress Suiko *Tachibana-no-Oiratsume, daughter of Prince Owari (橘大郎女) **Son: Prince Shiragabe (白髪部王; d.30 December 643), **Daughter: Princess Tejima (手島女王;30 December 643) *Tojiko no Iratsume, daughter of
Soga no Umako was the son of Soga no Iname and a member of the powerful Soga clan of Japan. Conflicting evidence has suggested that Soga no Umako was actually an emperor during the Asuka period. Umako conducted political reforms with Prince Shōtoku during t ...
and Lady Mononobe (刀自古郎女) ** Son: Prince Yamashiro (山背大兄王; 30 December 643) ** Daughter: Princess Zai (財王; 30 December 643) ** Son: Prince Hioki (日置王; 30 December 643) ** Daughter: Princess Kataoka (片岡女王; 30 December 643) *Lady Kashiwade no Iratsume (膳大郎女) **Son: Prince Hatsuse no Okimi (泊瀬王; 30 December 643) ** Son: Prince Saegusa (三枝王;30 December 643) ** Son: Prince Tomoshiko (伊止志古王; 30 December 643) ** Son: Prince Asaryoko (麻呂古王; 30 December 643) ** Daughter: Queen Tsukishine (舂米女王; 30 December 643) married to Prince Yamashiro ** Daughter: Princess Kunami (久波太女王; 30 December 643) ** Daughter: Princess Torybushi (波止利 女王; 30 December 643) ** Daughter: Princess Umayako (馬屋古女王; 30 December 643)


Biography

According to tradition, Shōtoku was appointed regent (''Sesshō'') in 593 by Empress Suiko (554–628), his aunt. Shōtoku, inspired by the Buddha's teachings, succeeded in establishing a centralized government during his reign. In 603, he established the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System at the court. He is credited with promulgating the seventeen-article constitution. Shōtoku was an ardent Buddhist and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the '' Sangyō Gisho'' or "Annotated Commentaries on the Three Sutras" (the '' Lotus Sutra'', the '' Vimalakirti Sutra'', and the '' Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra''). The first of these commentaries, '' Hokke Gisho'', is traditionally dated to 615 and thus regarded as "the first Japanese text", in turn making Shōtoku the first known Japanese writer. In the late 6th century, Shōtoku led an enormous national project to promote
Buddhism Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
and he commissioned the construction of Shitennō-ji. The Buddhist temple was built in Settsu Province (present-day
Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...
) after his military victory against the powerful Mononobe clan, for he is said to have summoned them to crush his enemies. Shōtoku's name has been linked with Hōryū-ji, a temple in Yamato Province, and numerous other temples in the Kansai region. Documentation at Hōryū-ji claims that Suiko and Shōtoku founded the temple in the year 607. Archaeological excavations in 1939 have confirmed that Prince Shōtoku's palace, the ''Ikaruga no miya'' (斑鳩宮), stood in the eastern part of the current temple complex, where the ''Tō-in'' ( 東院) sits today. Despite being credited as the founder of Japanese
Buddhism Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
, it is also said that the Prince respected
Shinto , also called Shintoism, is a religion originating in Japan. Classified as an East Asian religions, East Asian religion by Religious studies, scholars of religion, it is often regarded by its practitioners as Japan's indigenous religion and as ...
and never visited Buddhist temples without visiting Shinto shrines. A popular quote attributed to Shōtoku that became foundational for Buddhist belief in Japan is translated as "The world is vain and illusory, and the Buddha's realm alone is true." In his correspondence with
Emperor Yang of Sui Emperor Yang of Sui (隋煬帝, 569 – 11 April 618), personal name Yang Guang (), alternative name Ying (), Xianbei name Amo (), was the second emperor of the Sui dynasty of China. Emperor Yang's original name was Yang Ying, but he was rena ...
, Shōtoku's letter contains the earliest known written instance in which the Japanese archipelago is referred to by a term meaning "land of the rising sun." The Sui Emperor had dispatched a message in 605 that said, "the sovereign of Sui respectfully inquires about the sovereign of Wa," and Shōtoku responded by sponsoring a mission led by Ono no Imoko in 607, who brought along a note reading: "From the sovereign of the land of the rising sun (''hi izuru tokoro'') to the sovereign of the land of the setting sun." He is said to have been buried at Shinaga in Kawachi Province (modern
Osaka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Osaka Prefecture has a population of 8,778,035 () and has a geographic area of . Osaka Prefecture borders Hyōgo Prefecture to the northwest, Kyoto Prefecture to the north, Nara ...
).


Legends

A legend claims that when Bodhidharma came to Japan, he met with Prince Shōtoku whilst under the guise of a starving beggar. The Prince asked the beggar to identify himself, but the man did not reply. Instead of going ahead, Shōtoku gave him food, drink, and covered him with his purple garment, telling him to "lie in peace". Shōtoku then sang for the starving man. ''Alas! For'' ''The wayfarer lying'' ''And hungered for rice'' ''On the hill of Kataoka'' (The sunshiny) ''Art thou become'' ''Parentless?'' ''Hast thou no lord'' ''Flourishing as a bamboo?'' ''Alas! For'' ''The wayfarer lying'' ''And hungered for rice!'' The second day, Shōtoku sent a messenger to the starving man, but he was already dead. Hereupon, he was greatly grieved and ordered his burial. Shōtoku later thought the man was no ordinary man for sure, and sending another messenger, discovered the earth had not been disturbed. On opening the tomb there was no body inside, and the Prince's purple garment lay folded on the coffin. The Prince then sent another messenger to claim the garment, and he continued to wear it just as before. Struck by awe, the people praised the Prince: "How true it is that a sage knoweth a sage." This legend is linked with the temple of Daruma-ji in Ōji, Nara, where a stone stupa was found underground, which is exceedingly rare.


Titles and name

Shōtoku is known by several titles, although his real name is since he was born in front of a stable. He is also known as or . He is also known for bearing the
Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...
Dharma name A Dharma name is a new name acquired during both lay and monastic Buddhist initiation rituals in Mahayana Buddhism and Pabbajjā, monastic ordination in Theravada Buddhism (where it is more proper to call it Dhamma or Sangha name). The name is ...
Bhavyaśīla which was awarded to him by Bodhidharma. In the '' Kojiki'', his name appears as . In the '' Nihon Shoki'', in addition to ''Umayado no ōji'', he is referred to as ''Toyosamimi Shōtoku'' (豊聡耳聖徳), ''Toyosatomimi no Nori no Ōkami'' (豊聡耳法大王), and simply ''Nori no Ushi no Ōkami'' (法主王). The name by which he is best known today, ''Prince Shōtoku'', first appeared in '' Kaifūsō'', written more than 100 years after his death in 622 AD.


Legacy

A number of institutes are named after Shōtoku, such as Shotoku Gakuen University and its associated junior college (both in
Gifu is a Cities of Japan, city located in the south-central portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the prefectural capital. The city has played an important role in Japan's history because of its location in the middle of the country. Durin ...
). The first syllable of his name (聖), can be read ''shō'' in Go-on and can also be read ''sei'' in Kan-on. The later reading is found in Seitoku University and its associated junior college (both in Matsudo, Chiba) as well as Tokyo's defunct Seitoku Junior College of Nutrition (and indirectly its replacement Seiei College).


Currency

The portrait of Prince Shōtoku has appeared on 100, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen bills. Two bills made with different types of materials and special inks with a face value of 100,000,000 (one hundred million yen) were also issued. The characteristic of these bills is that they have a border around it to prevent its alteration. As characteristics, it has a seal and figures in different positions starting from the middle outwards. The measurements of these 2 issues of bills are 35.3 cm x 16 cm and the other with a small variation of 34.3 by 16.5 cm. These cloth tickets were used for the exchange of important values.


Gallery


Painting

File:Prince Shotoku with Attendants, 13th century.jpg, Painting of Prince Shōtoku with two attendants. Colors on silk,
Kamakura Period The is a period of History of Japan, Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Kamakura by the first ''shōgun'' Minamoto no Yoritomo after the conclusion of the G ...
, 13th century File:Shotoku Taishi k.jpg, Painting of Shōtoku and two attendants, from Kakurin-ji temple in Kakogawa.
Hyōgo Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Hyōgo Prefecture has a population of 5,469,762 () and a geographic area of . Hyōgo Prefecture borders Kyoto Prefecture to the east, Osaka Prefecture to th ...
File:MET 29 100 508.jpg, Silk painting of Shōtoku at age sixteen,
Nanboku-chō Period The , also known as the Northern and Southern Courts period, was a period in Japanese history between 1336-1392 CE, during the formative years of the Ashikaga shogunate, Muromachi (Ashikaga) shogunate. Ideologically, the two courts fought for 50 ...
, 14th century File:Shotoku Taishi Aged 16 (Toyama).jpg, Silk painting of Shōtoku at age sixteen File:Tenjyukoku embroidery.jpg, The '' Tenjukoku Shūchō Mandala'', created to commemorate Shōtoku's death (622 CE) File:Umayado Miko.jpg, Drawing of Shōtoku by
Kikuchi Yōsai , also known as Kikuchi Takeyasu and Kawahara Ryōhei, was a Japanese people, Japanese painter most famous for his monochrome portraits of historical figures. Biography The son of a samurai named Kawahara of Edo, he was adopted by a family ...
(1781–1878) File:Shotoku Taishi by Kogan Zenji.jpg, Painting of Shōtoku by Kogan Zenji, 1800.


Sculpture

File:Shotoku Taishi-Rijksmuseum AK-BR-JAN-1.jpeg, Statue of Shōtoku as a child, with hands pressed together in worship. Circa 1200-1350 CE File:Shotoku Taishi.jpg, Wooden statue of Prince Shōtoku in the
Guimet Museum The Guimet Museum (full name in ; ''MNAAG''; ) is a Parisian art museum with one of the largest collections of Asian art outside of Asia that includes items from Cambodia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Tibet, India, and Nepal, among other countries. Found ...
File:Asuka dera Prince Shotoku.jpg, Shōtoku as a
bodhisattva In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is a person who has attained, or is striving towards, '' bodhi'' ('awakening', 'enlightenment') or Buddhahood. Often, the term specifically refers to a person who forgoes or delays personal nirvana or ''bodhi'' in ...
at Asuka-dera temple File:Horyuji Monastery Shotoku Taishi of Shoryoin (331).jpg, Sculpture of Shōtoku from Hōryū-ji temple


See also

* Asuka-dera * Jōgū Shōtoku Hōō Teisetsu, biography * Kokki * Sangyō Gisho *
Tennōki , alternatively known as ''Sumera Mikoto no Fumi'', is a historical text purported to have been written in 620 by Shōtoku Taishi and Soga no Umako. It is recorded in the '' Nihon Shoki'', but no extant copies are known to exist. According to t ...
* Historical Sites of Prince Shōtoku


Notes


References

* Como, Michael A. (2008). ''Shotoku: Ethnicity, Ritual and Violence in the Japanese Buddhist Tradition''. New York: Oxford University Press. * Varley, H. Paul (1973). ''Japanese Culture: A Short History.'' New York: Praeger Publishers. * Varley, Paul (1980). ''Jinnō Shōtōki: A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns.'' New York: Columbia University Press.
OCLC 59145842


Bibliography

* Pradel, Chari (2008). Shoko Mandara and the Cult of Prince Shotoku in the Kamakura Period, Artibus Asiae 68 (2), 215–46


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Shotoku Taishi 574 births 622 deaths Sesshō and Kampaku Regents of Japan People of the Asuka period Shinran Deified Japanese men Buddhism in the Asuka period Japanese Buddhist monarchs Sons of Japanese emperors 6th-century regents 7th-century regents