Japan Background Essay 2: Shotoku and the Golden Age
The Young Prince:
After Jimmu, the most famous Japanese emperor was Shotoku. When
he was born, people knew he would be special. By the time he was
four months old, Prince Shotoku was already speaking. By the time he
was a year old, he could read and write. While he was still a young
boy, he memorized all the holy scriptures of Buddhism – a religion that
had recently been introduced to Japan . He was only a boy, but many
of his people were already looking to him for guidance and leadership.
Buddhism:
Shotoku loved Buddhism. Although this religion was new to Japan , it
had been created in India more than 1000 years earlier by Prince
Siddhartha, a member of an India royal family who became known as
the Buddha, or the “Enlightened One.” Buddha’s teachings spread from
India to China along the trade routes. Then the religion spread to
Korea . Finally, a Korean king sent the Japanese emperor a gift of the
Buddhist scriptures and a gold and copper Buddha statue. This is how
Buddhism came to Japan . Prince Shotoku was very impressed with
the teachings of this new religion, and did everything he could to
spread Buddhism throughout his country.
Shinto:
When Shotoku converted to Buddhism, he had to make sure he didn’t
upset the people who practiced the existing religion of Japan -- Shinto.
Shinto is the oldest religion in Japan . People had been practicing it
since the early times of Jimmu. Shinto teaches that all things have
spirits – rocks, trees, people, rivers, everything. Spirits like to be
honored with shrines and offerings. For instance, if you build a shrine
to the spirit of a river, and leave offerings of food or wealth, you might
have better luck fishing. A shrine to the rain spirits will help you with
farming. Your ancestors also become spirits when they die, and must
be honored with shrines in your house. When Buddhism came to Japan
, Shotoku showed the people that the two religions went together very
well. The Japanese could happily practice both Shinto and Buddhism,
and many still do today.
Buddhism spreads:
Prince Shotoku paid to have Buddhist temples and statues built all
over Japan. One great complex of temples holds something very
special. According to legend, when Prince Shotoku was only a year old,
he was praying when the left eyeball of Buddha appeared in his hands.
This was seen as a sign of special favor from Buddha – Shotoku had
seen the true way, just as Buddha had done. Later, the eyeball was
placed at the temple Shotoku built. Soon, the scriptures of Buddhism
spread across Japan . Monasteries were constructed where people
could become monks. A monk is someone who spends his whole life
studying a religion and trying to be holy. There are still many Buddhist
monks in Japan .
Shotoku the Statesman:
Shotoku wasn’t just religious. He was a great national leader,
too. While the young prince was growing up, his aunt was the
empress, but when Shotoku was 21, the empress decided to make
Shotoku regent. This meant that Shotoku would rule in her name, and
have complete control of the government. The prince made contact
with Korea and China and started a program to bring Chinese and
Korean teachers to Japan , so the Japanese people could learn
astronomy, geography, medicine, and other advanced sciences. To
attract the best teachers, he awarded them high social rank and
generous pay. This started a golden age for Japan with new learning
and cultural advancement.
Accomplishments:
Prince Shotoku also made the Japanese government much more
efficient. He imitated the Chinese centralized government, where the
emperor controlled almost everything directly from the capital city.
This kept the local warlords from fighting with each other. He tried to
base his rule on the peaceful principles of Buddhism – love, honesty,
goodness. Shotoku wrote a new code of laws. He set down guidelines
for moral conduct that everyone in his government had to follow.
Under his rule, there was peace in all Japan . His people loved him so
much, that they didn’t object even though he made huge changes to
the country. The whole nation was sad when Shotoku died of illness in
622 A.D.
Chinese Influence:
During Shotoku’s rule, and for hundred of years after, the Japanese
were fascinated by the much older Chinese culture. A university was
established for Japanese royalty and their friends, where Chinese
speech and writing were taught. Chinese was considered the highclass language to know. It was the preferred form of communication,
and most poetry was written in Chinese. The Japanese emperors also
tried to imitate the lavish lifestyles of the Chinese emperors. It was
said that when the Chinese emperor built a capital, two million men
were set to work, and his fleet of pleasure boats on the Yellow River
was towed by 80,000 men. When he traveled on land, his caravan
stretched for 300 miles. The Japanese emperors couldn’t match that,
but they tried. The paid for fancy paintings, bronze sculptures, silks,
stone and wood carvings. For centuries, Japanese art looked a lot like
Chinese art.
Women in Japan:
Women were not equal to men in early Japan , but they were honored,
and they had some freedoms that women in other early societies did
not have. They could own their own property, and they could inherit
property. Japanese women could also be educated to read and write.
Some of the best books written in early Japan were by female authors,
who wrote in Japanese, not in Chinese as the male authors preferred.
The 54-book series The Tale of the Genji, written by Lady Murasaki,
tells of what life was like as a member of the royal family in early
Japan .
Women were also known for their bravery. Once, during a battle with
the white hairy barbarians, a general’s fort was about to be overrun.
He started to run away but his wife grabbed him and teased him about
being a coward. He was so embarrassed he stayed. Then his wife
gathered the other women together and they all made plucking sounds
like bow strings. The barbarians, thinking there was a great army
waiting behind the walls, decided to retreat. Later, the general
reorganized his army and led them to victory.
Questions for Shotoku:
1. What religion began in India and spread to Japan by 552 A.D.?
It was Buddhism. It was introduced by Korea.
2. What does the Shinto religion believe in?
It teaches that all things have spirits – rocks, trees, people,
rivers, everything.
3. What language did Japanese men prefer for writing poetry?
They preferred the language of Chinese.
4. What rights did women have during Shotoku’s time?
They did not have all the rights men have but they were
honored.
5. How did Shotoku attract the best teachers from China and
Korea?
He awarded them high social rank and generous pay.
6. According to legend, what strange relic appeared in Shotoku’s
hand when he was praying?
He saw the left eyeball of the Buddha.
7. How did Shotoku die?
Shotoku died of illness in 622 A.D.
8. How old was Shotoku when he became regent of Japan ?
He was 21 when he became regent.
9. What was the Tale of the Genji?
It is a book written by Lady Murasaki. It told a tale about a
prince and his journey for love.
10. According to legend, how did a group of women once save Japanese
army from barbarians?
They plucked bows to make it sound like a huge army.
Bio-Poem
Your Task: Choose a person we have studied this unit. Use your notes and the
textbook to
complete the information below. Each answer should be a line in your poem.
Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 Line 4 Line 5 Line 6 -
�Name:
Three traits:
He / she is from:
He / she cares deeply about…
He / she feels…
Three more traits
Line 7 - He / she gives…
Line 8 - He / she fears…
Line 9 - He / she would like to see…
Line 10 - �ame, Years of life:
Example:
Jackie Robinson
Talented, Black, Pioneer
He is from Georgia
He cares about representing his people
He feels black athletes should be allowed to play
Leader, Symbol, Baseball Player
He gives hope to the oppressed
He fears threats from racists
He would like to see equality between races
Jackie Robinson (1919-1972)
Prince Shotoku
Wise, Vigorous, Noble
He is from Japan
He admires Chinese culture
He feels that wives should obey their husbands
Leader, Thoughtful, Religious
He gives hopes to get people to change their mind on Buddhism
He fears nothing in his way
He would like to see Chinese cultures involved in Japanese society
Prince Shotoku (573-621)