After Empress Suiko ascended
to the throne in 593 C.E. as
Japan's first female monarch,
her nephew,
took over the reins of political
power as her
(regent: one who rules for another)
In 604, Shotoku would create Japan's first constitution,
which
established rules for officials engaged in political
affairs. For example, it stated that officials serving in
the imperial court must obey the orders of the reigning
monarch and that there must be fair trials. Prince
Shotoku also devoted his efforts to the
spread of Buddhism in Japan, building
temples and dispatching envoys to China.
Beginning in the early 600s, Shotoku, as the crown
prince of Japan, also helped to shape Japanese
culture and history in many ways. Specifically, he
was instrumental in the development of Japanese
constitutional government, he opened cultural
exchange with China, which had
a tremendous impact on Japanese
society, and he undertook important
building projects, such as irrigation
and other public works projects.
Shotoku was also a prolific author. His writings
influenced ideas about ethics, their system of
government, and how history was recorded.
He even influenced hair designs,
still worn today by both genders,
that reflect traditional Japanese
culture. He wore his hair pulled
up in a knot and bundled that
knot on top of his head.
Prince Shotoku
Samurai
Ladies of the
Emperor’s court
Shotoku remained in the position of regent for nearly
30 years until his death in 622. He firmly believed
that Chinese culture had significant things of value
that Japan could adopt
for its own use.
The infusion of Chinese culture into Japan had many
positive effects. Once the cultural doors were open,
scholars, monks, and
skilled workers, such as
artisans and craftsman,
flooded into Japan and
helped to bring about
social, political, religious,
and economic reforms.
The Chinese calendar was adopted for use, and
the support of both Buddhism and Confucianism
was strongly encouraged.
Many Buddhist temples were
built, some of which still stand
today. But the most important
change came with the
adoption of a Chinese
style of government.
The Chinese Calendar
Shotoku reorganized the
court system using the
Chinese model and
instituted a bureaucratic
system based upon merit.
His most important
contribution, however, was
the writing and adoption of
a constitution in A.D 604.
Article 10
The Constitution of the Seventeen Articles is one
of the most important documents in Japanese history.
This constitution, created by Shotoku, was intended
to be held as a model for Japanese
government, and it formed the
philosophical basis of Japanese
government for future generations.
It consisted of a set of instructions,
aimed at the ruling class, concerning
moral and ethical concepts, as well
as, the bureaucratic system.
The Constitution of Seventeen Articles was firmly
entrenched in Confucian philosophy, although there
are also a number of Buddhist elements. It expresses
the belief that there are three realms in the universe:
Heaven, Man, and Earth. It further states that the
general welfare of the people is the task of the emperor,
who had been placed in authority by the will of Heaven.
It also stressed the virtues of harmony, consistency,
and moral development. The Constitution's aim was
to avoid disputes instead of simply resolving them.
It is possible that Prince Shotoku also named Japan
the land of the rising sun, or Nippon. In a letter sent
to the Chinese Emperor Yangdi in 607, Shotoku is
said to have written:
Prince Shotoku is considered one of the most
influential figures in early Japanese history.
Japan mourned when Shotoku died in 622
at the age of 48. His legacy is his effective
reorganization of Japanese government
and culture. He left Japan a well-defined
central administrative system, as well as,
a rich cultural heritage.
ascended: arose
monarch: ruler
envoys: representatives
instrumental: useful, helpful
prolific: producing many or much
significant: important, worthy of attention
infusion: the act of introducing or adding something
constitution: rules of government
philosophical: the search for truth & wisdom
ethical: the standards of right and wrong
entrenched: firmly established or based
realms: kingdoms, empires, systems
harmony: a pleasing agreement
Concepts to Consider
Why was Prince Shotoku so important to the history of Japan ?
What is the Constitution of Seventeen Articles ? What was its aim ?
How did Shotoku believe that Chinese culture could benefit Japan ?
Buddhist Temple
Shinto Gate and Shrine
Shinto Gate