Shotoku

Shotoku, also known as Prince Shōtoku Taishi, was a semi-legendary imperial prince and regent of Japan during the Asuka period. He is traditionally credited with significant political and cultural reforms that shaped early Japanese civilization. Born in 574, he was the son of Emperor Yōmei.

Shotoku is most renowned for his patronage of Buddhism and the promotion of Chinese culture and governmental systems. He is said to have promulgated the Seventeen-Article Constitution, a set of moral and political guidelines for the ruling class, which emphasized Buddhist principles and Confucian ethics. Although the authorship and exact date of the Constitution are debated by historians, it reflects the influence of Chinese political thought on Japan during this era.

He is also credited with establishing the hierarchy of court ranks, introducing a centralized bureaucracy, and fostering diplomatic relations with China (Sui Dynasty). Shotoku's efforts are seen as crucial in solidifying the imperial authority and laying the groundwork for a more unified Japanese state. His legacy is that of a wise ruler, a devout Buddhist, and a key figure in the transmission of continental culture to Japan. He died in 622.