Prince Shōtoku and
Early Buddhist Japan
Important Dates in the Early History of Buddhism in Japan and the legendary Career of
Prince Shōtoku
538
Earliest recorded date of the formal introduction of Buddhism to Japan. King
Seongmyeong of the Korean Kingdom of Paekche sends a Buddhist statue and
sutras to Japan
552
Official date of the introduction of Buddhism to Japan
574
Shōtoku born as son of Prince Tachibana no Toyohi (later Emperor Yōmei, the 31st
Emperor of Japan)
586
Yōmei falls ill, vows to construct a temple with an image of the Healing Buddha
587
Yōmei dies; struggle between pro and anti-Buddhist factions among the aristocracy;
anti-Buddhist Mononobe clan destroyed by Soga no Umako, Shōtoku and allies.
Shōtoku vows to create a temple dedicated to the Four Divine Kings, known as
Shitennō-ji (present-day Osaka)
588
Establishment of Hōkō-ji (present-day Asuka-dera). Paekche sends
592
Accession of Empress Suiko, 33rd sovereign of Japan.
594
Shōtoku becomes regent and director of state affairs; pagoda at Hōkō-ji constructed
temple-builders monks and artists and relics installed inside
600
Shōtoku dispatches the first embassy to the court of the Sui Emperor, Wendi, to
601
Shōtoku constructs Ikaruga Palace
603
Shōtoku establishes a system of twelve court ranks
604
Shōtoku establishes a Aconstitution@ in seventeen clauses; start of the use of a
606
Lectures on the Lotus Sutra and the Shōmangyō; large gilt bronze statue of
607
Completion of the statue of the Healing Buddha originally pledged by Yōmei;
study civic, religious and cultural affairs
regular calendar
Śākyamuni installed at Asukadera
installed at the recently completed Hōryū-ji (Wakakusa-dera) built on the site of the
Ikaruga Palace.
622
Death of Shōtoku
626
Death of Soga no Umako
628
Death of Empress Suiko
630
First emmisary sent to the Tang court
645
Systematization of monastic ranks
646
Taika reforms Important works
Śakyamuni Triad (Shaka Triad). Datable to 623. gilt bronze. Hōryūji.
Standing Kannon, known as the Guze Kannon.
Four Divine Kings.
ca. 630.
Wood. Hōryūji.
ca. 650. Wood. Hōryūji.
Personal Devotional Shrine, known as the Tamamushi (Beetle Wing) Shrine. Wood with
lacquer and gilt bronze fittings. ca. 650. Hōryūji.
Prince Shōtoku and Early Buddhist Japan
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