|
Prince Shotoku (聖徳太子
574-622)
was a
regent of the
Imperial Court in
Japan.
Shotoku was born as the son of
Emperor Yomei. His mother was the daughter of
Emperor Kimmei. When the first reigning
empress,
Empress Suiko, took the throne, he was named as her regent and assisted
the empress. During her regime, he succeded in establishing a centralized
government. In
603, he established tweleve steps of official ranks and completed a
17-clause constitution. In
607, he sent a mission led by
Ono no Imoko to the
Sui Dynasty.
He was a proponent of
Buddhism, and built
Horyu-ji temple.
His real name is Umayado no ouji (lit. the
prince of the stable door) since he was born in front of a stable. He is
also known as Toyosatomimi or Kamitsumiyaou.
He appeared on Japan's first 10,000
yen note, issued
December 1,
1958.
|
