Prince Shōtoku

Prince Shōtoku (574-622), Japanese statesman and imperial regent. Shōtoku sided with the powerful Soga clan in a succession struggle of 587, and after they murdered the fractious Emperor Sushun in 592, the new ruler, Empress Suiko, made young Shōtoku her regent in all matters. He issued an edict to promote Buddhism in 594 and established diplomatic links with China, sending envoys in 600 and 607. In 604 he introduced a new system of official hierarchy employing 12 ranks for courtiers and drafted the Seventeen Article Constitution, the first constitution in Japanese history. Actually a series of Chinese-style admonitions to officials, this document stressed the Emperor’s divine authority. Shōtoku also promoted temple building throughout Japan, linking Buddhism with the state. In 620 he compiled two historical chronicles, Tennoki and Kokki. The Tennoki’s title includes the term tenno (“heavenly sovereign”), indicating Shōtoku’s vision of a divine monarchy. Less active in later life, he reportedly devoted his last years to Buddhism.