Prince Shōtoku Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Prince Shōtoku
Prince of Yamato
Prince Shōtoku with younger brother (left: Prince Eguri) and first son (right: Prince Yamashiro)
Regent of Yamato
Regency	593 - 622

Born	February 7, 574
Died	April 8, 622(622-04-08) (aged 48)
Spouse	Uji no Shitsukahi Tojiko no Iratsume
Issue	Prince Yamashiro
House	Yamato
Father	Emperor Yōmei
Mother	Anahobe no Hashihito

Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子, Shōtoku Taishi, February 7, 574 – April 8, 622) was a very important leader and politician in ancient Japan. He lived during the Asuka period and served as a regent (a person who rules for a monarch who is too young or unable to rule). He worked for Empress Suiko, who was his aunt.

Prince Shōtoku was the son of Emperor Yōmei. His family was connected to the powerful Soga clan. He helped defeat the rival Mononobe clan. Most of what we know about Prince Shōtoku comes from an old Japanese book called the Nihon Shoki. He is famous for making the government more modern and for helping Buddhism grow in Japan. Over time, people began to admire Prince Shōtoku greatly. They believed he protected Japan, the Imperial Family, and Buddhism. Many important religious leaders later said they were inspired by him.

Prince Shōtoku: A Great Leader of Ancient Japan
Gallery
- Painting
- Sculpture
See also

Prince Shōtoku: A Great Leader of Ancient Japan

Who Was Prince Shōtoku?

Prince Shōtoku was born on February 7, 574. He is known by several names, including Prince Umayado and Prince Kamitsumiya. He became a regent in 593, which means he helped rule Japan for his aunt, Empress Suiko. He was a very smart and spiritual leader.

Shōtoku as a Buddhist pilgrim at the age of fourteen. This painting is from the 14th century.

Modernizing the Government

Prince Shōtoku wanted to make Japan's government stronger and more organized. In 603, he created the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System. This system gave government officials different ranks based on their skills, not just their family name. This was a big step towards a fairer government.

He is also famous for writing the seventeen-article constitution. This was a set of moral rules and guidelines for government officials and the people. It focused on ideas like harmony, respect, and following the emperor's orders.

Spreading Buddhism in Japan

Prince Shōtoku was a very strong believer in Buddhism. He worked hard to spread its teachings across Japan. He even wrote commentaries on important Buddhist scriptures. These writings are considered some of the first Japanese texts ever written.

He led a huge project to build Buddhist temples. One of the most famous is Shitennō-ji in Osaka. He built this temple after winning a battle against the Mononobe clan. Another famous temple linked to him is Hōryū-ji in Yamato Province. Even though he promoted Buddhism, he also respected Japan's traditional religion, Shinto.

Japan's Name and International Relations

Prince Shōtoku also played a role in how Japan was seen by other countries. He sent a letter to the Emperor of Sui in China. In this letter, he referred to Japan as the "land of the rising sun." This is the first time this famous name for Japan was used in writing. It showed that Japan saw itself as an equal to China.

Famous Stories and Legends

Section of the Lotus Sutra, said to be written in Shōtoku's own hand.

There are many interesting stories about Prince Shōtoku. One legend says that he met a starving beggar who was actually Bodhidharma, a famous Buddhist monk. Prince Shōtoku showed kindness to the beggar, giving him food and his own purple cloak. When the beggar later seemed to die, Shōtoku ordered him to be buried.

However, Shōtoku later felt the man was special. He sent someone to check the grave and found that the body was gone, and only his purple cloak was left. This made people realize that Prince Shōtoku was very wise and could recognize a true sage. This story is connected to the Daruma-ji temple in Ōji, Nara.

Why So Many Names?

Prince Shōtoku is known by several names. His real name was Prince Umayado, which means "the prince of the stable door." This is because he was born in front of a stable. He was also called Toyosatomimi or Kamitsumiyaō. The name "Prince Shōtoku" became popular much later, after his death.

His Lasting Impact

Prince Shōtoku's influence is still seen in Japan today. Many schools and universities are named after him. His portrait has also appeared on several Japanese banknotes, including the 10,000 yen bill. This shows how important he is in Japanese history and culture.

Gallery

Painting

Painting of Prince Shōtoku with two attendants. Colors on silk, Kamakura Period, 13th century
Painting of Shōtoku and two attendants, from Kakurin-ji temple in Kakogawa. Hyōgo Prefecture
Silk painting of Shōtoku at age sixteen, Nanboku-chō Period, 14th century
Silk painting of Shōtoku at age sixteen
The Tenjukoku Shūchō Mandala, created to commemorate Shōtoku's death (622 CE)
Drawing of Shōtoku by Kikuchi Yōsai (1781–1878)
Painting of Shōtoku by Kogan Zenji, 1800.

Sculpture

Statue of Shōtoku as a child, with hands pressed together in worship. Circa 1200-1350 CE
Wooden statue of Prince Shōtoku in the Guimet Museum
Shōtoku as a bodhisattva at Asuka-dera temple
Sculpture of Shōtoku from Hōryū-ji temple