Isabella Carter
Prince Shotoku (574-622 CE) is one of the most celebrated figures in Japanese history. Shotoku, also known as Umayado no Miko, was a regent and trusted advisor to Empress Suiko, his aunt. Shotoku is known for his cultural contributions, including the introduction of Buddhism to Japan and the creation of the Seventeen-Article Constitution, which centralised the government and promoted the status quo and the power of the emperor. The constitution also emphasised the importance of harmony and collective decision-making. Shotoku's other achievements include establishing a court system with twelve grades of court rank, dispatching envoys to China, and building numerous temples.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Centralisation of government | Encouraged by the constitution |
| Promotion of Buddhism | The constitution officially promoted Buddhism in Japan |
| Promotion of Confucian principles | The constitution entrenched Confucian ideals as a state religion |
| Strengthening the authority of the emperor | The constitution strengthened the notion of the absolute authority of the emperor |
| Promotion of harmony | The constitution's basic tenet was harmony |
| Promotion of Chinese culture | Shotoku encouraged greater ties with China and introduced a Chinese-style calendar |
| Merit-based promotion | Shotoku established a court system with 12 grades of court rank based on merit and achievement |
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What You'll Learn
The constitution's influence on later Japanese politics
Prince Shotoku's constitution, also known as the Seventeen Article Constitution, had a significant influence on later Japanese politics. The constitution, promulgated in 604 CE, centralised government power and emphasised the importance of harmony and collective decision-making. It also promoted Buddhism as the official state religion, further encouraging its spread in Japan.
One of the key aspects of Prince Shotoku's constitution was its focus on centralising government power and enhancing the authority of the emperor. The constitution established a system of court ranks, with 12 grades of court rank or coloured caps, indicating merit and achievement. This reform helped to organise the imperial court and reinforce the power structure centred around the emperor. Shotoku's constitution also emphasised the importance of obedience to the emperor, stating that imperial commands should be scrupulously obeyed. This notion of unchallenged imperial authority, influenced by Confucian principles, became a foundational aspect of Japan's political system.
The constitution's endorsement of Buddhism as the state religion had a profound impact on Japanese society and politics. By promoting Buddhist teachings and establishing numerous temples, Shotoku helped to spread Buddhism throughout the country. This religious unification created a stronger connection between the emperor, nobility, and clergy, solidifying the ruling authorities' power. Buddhism's emphasis on harmony and collective decision-making, as reflected in Article VIII of the constitution, also influenced political decision-making processes.
Additionally, Prince Shotoku's encouragement of closer ties with China had long-lasting effects on Japanese politics. By sending official embassies to China and adopting Chinese cultural practices, Shotoku influenced the adoption of foreign culture during the Asuka period. This included the introduction of Confucian models of rank and etiquette, further shaping the structure and values of the Japanese political system.
The constitution's impact extended beyond the political sphere, influencing Japanese culture and society as well. Shotoku's emphasis on merit and achievement, as seen in the establishment of the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System, encouraged a more meritocratic society. His support for Buddhism and the construction of temples, such as Shitennoji and Horyuji, left a lasting legacy in Japanese culture and religion.
Overall, Prince Shotoku's constitution had a significant and lasting influence on Japanese politics. Its emphasis on centralisation of power, the authority of the emperor, and the promotion of Buddhism as the state religion helped shape the foundations of Japan's political system and society for centuries to come.
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The promotion of Buddhism as the state religion
Prince Shotoku, also known as Umayado no Miko and posthumously as Shotoku Taisha, or "Prince of Supreme Virtue", is one of the most celebrated figures in Japanese history. He ruled as regent of Japan from 594 to 622 CE and is known for his support of Buddhism and Chinese culture, spreading both during his reign.
Prince Shotoku is credited with drawing up a new constitution, or ethical code, in 604 CE, called the Seventeen Article Constitution or Seventeen Injunctions (Jushichijo-kenpo). This constitution is believed to have promoted Buddhism as the state religion in Japan, as seen in Article II, which emphasises the reverence of the Three Treasures: Buddha, the Law, and the Priesthood. Shotoku built 46 Buddhist monasteries and temples, including famous sites like Shitennoji, Hokoji, and Horyuji, further promoting Buddhism across the country.
The adoption of Buddhism as the state religion had significant societal implications. It helped to raise Japan's cultural status in the eyes of its powerful neighbours, Korea and China, and legitimised the emperor as the centre of both political and religious spheres, increasing his prestige. Additionally, Buddhism's introduction contributed to social harmony, which was a fundamental principle in Shotoku's constitution.
Moreover, Shotoku's promotion of Buddhism had a lasting influence on Japanese society and politics. The constitution, with its emphasis on Confucian ideals and Buddhist principles, served as a unifying force. It bolstered the authority of the emperor, the nobility, and the clergy, and its principles continued to guide ruling authorities in medieval Japan.
Prince Shotoku's role in establishing Buddhism as the state religion and his efforts to spread its teachings across Japan are key reasons why he is considered a pivotal figure in the country's history. His contributions helped shape the cultural, religious, and political landscape of Japan, leaving a lasting legacy that is still recognised and celebrated today.
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The centralisation of government
Prince Shōtoku (574–622 CE) is one of the most celebrated figures in Japanese history. He was an influential leader and a great supporter of Chinese culture and Buddhism, spreading both during his reign. He is also credited with drawing up a new constitution, the Seventeen Article Constitution, in 604 CE, which centralised the government.
The Seventeen Article Constitution, also known as Seventeen Injunctions (Jushichijo-kenpo), was more of an ethical code than a political constitution. It was inspired by Confucian principles, including the Mandate of Heaven, which suggested that the sovereign ruled at the will of a supreme force. Shotoku believed in the absolute authority of the emperor, as reflected in the constitution, which states:
> When you receive the Imperial commands, fail not to obey them scrupulously. The lord is Heaven, the vassal is Earth. Heaven overspreads, and Earth bears up. When this is so, the four seasons follow their due course, and the powers of Nature obtain their efficacy. If the Earth attempted to overspread, Heaven would simply fall in ruin. Therefore when the lord speaks, the vassal listens; when the superior acts, the inferior complies. Consequently, when you receive the Imperial commands, fail not to carry them out scrupulously.
The constitution also emphasised the importance of collective decision-making, stating that important matters should be discussed with many people rather than decided by one person alone. Additionally, it promoted Buddhism as the official state religion, further unifying Japanese society.
Prince Shōtoku's constitution had a lasting influence on Japanese politics, with later ruling authorities, the shogunate, courts, aristocracy, and temple establishments all drawing on it to bolster their claims to authority. It is considered a foundational text for the centralisation of the Japanese government and the establishment of a Chinese-style centralised state under the authority of the emperor.
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The introduction of Confucian principles
Prince Shotoku (574–622 CE) is one of the most celebrated figures in Japanese history. He was a great supporter of Chinese culture and Buddhism, spreading both during his reign. He encouraged closer ties with China, introduced principles of Chinese government, and created a constitution.
The constitution emphasised the centralisation of power and the authority of the emperor, which Shotoku believed should not be challenged, just as the laws of nature could not be challenged. This is reflected in the following excerpt from the constitution:
> "When you receive the Imperial commands, fail not to obey them scrupulously. The lord is Heaven, the vassal is Earth. Heaven overspreads, and Earth bears up. When this is so, the four seasons follow their due course, and the powers of Nature obtain their efficacy. If the Earth attempted to overspread, Heaven would simply fall in ruin. Therefore when the lord speaks, the vassal listens; when the superior acts, the inferior complies. Consequently, when you receive the Imperial commands, fail not to carry them out scrupulously."
Furthermore, the constitution's endorsement of Confucian ideals and Buddhism as state religions strengthened the relationship between the emperor, the nobility, and the clergy. The constitution's influence extended beyond Shotoku's lifetime, as it became a crucial source for ruling authorities in later periods of Japanese history, including medieval Japan, who also promoted Shotoku worship to bolster their claims to authority.
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The constitution's role in shaping Japanese society
Prince Shotoku (574-622 CE) is one of the most celebrated figures in Japanese history. He was an influential leader and a great supporter of Chinese culture and Buddhism. Shotoku is credited with creating Japan's first constitution, the Seventeen Article Constitution, in 604 CE. This document played a significant role in shaping Japanese society and politics, both during Shotoku's lifetime and for centuries after his death.
The constitution was inspired by Confucian principles, including the Mandate of Heaven, which suggested that the sovereign ruled at the will of a supreme force. It emphasised the importance of harmony (wa) and the centralisation of government power under the emperor. Shotoku believed in the absolute authority of the emperor, stating that "When the lord speaks, the vassal listens; when the superior acts, the inferior complies". The constitution also promoted Buddhism as the official state religion, further cementing the relationship between the emperor and the clergy.
One of the key principles of the constitution was the importance of collective decision-making. It stated that important matters should be discussed and decided upon by many, rather than left to a single person. This idea had a lasting influence on Japanese politics, emphasising the value of consensus and collective leadership.
Additionally, the constitution helped to shape Japanese society by establishing a court system with twelve grades of court rank. These ranks were based on merit and achievement rather than inheritance, marking a significant shift in the way officials gained office. Shotoku also removed the right to impose taxes from anyone other than the emperor, rooting out corruption and further centralising power.
Shotoku's constitution had a profound and lasting impact on Japan. It helped to establish a centralised government under the authority of the emperor, promoted Buddhism as the official religion, and encouraged the adoption of Chinese culture and political models. The constitution is considered a unifying force in Japanese society, and Shotoku's influence can still be seen today in the country's political and social structures.
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Frequently asked questions
Prince Shotoku (574-622 CE) was a regent and trusted advisor to Empress Suiko, his aunt. He was a great supporter of Chinese culture and Buddhism, and encouraged stronger ties with China. He is considered one of the most celebrated figures in Japanese history.
Prince Shotoku's Seventeen-Article Constitution was a moral code and a code of personal and social behaviour. It emphasised the importance of harmony and the absolute authority of the emperor. It also promoted Buddhism as the official state religion.
The constitution had a lasting influence on later Japanese politics, with its emphasis on collective decision-making and the importance of harmony. It also helped to strengthen the ideological foundations for a centralised state under the emperor's authority.
Prince Shotoku is also known for establishing a court system with twelve grades of court rank, encouraging the spread of Buddhism, and sending envoys to China. He is also credited with writing commentaries on the Lotus Sutra and other Buddhist texts, although there is some debate about this.
