Prince Shotoku’s Political Reforms: State Formation in Asuka Period Japan and East Asian Diplomacy

Introduction

From the late 6th to early 7th century, Japan was entering a period of significant change. During this era, Prince Shotoku, known as Umayado no Oji, implemented important political reforms. This article will examine Prince Shotoku’s major policies and achievements in detail, and consider his influence on ancient Japan’s state formation and East Asian diplomacy. At the same time, we will focus on the differences between Prince Shotoku’s actual figure and the idealized image passed down through generations.

Prince Shotoku’s Life and True Figure

Prince Shotoku is said to have been born in 574 and died in 622. He was the nephew of Empress Suiko and served as regent, effectively managing political affairs. It is said that Prince Shotoku showed exceptional talent from a young age and deeply studied Buddhist and Confucian thought. However, modern historical studies point out that much about Prince Shotoku’s true figure remains unclear. The image of Prince Shotoku passed down through generations is idealized, and needs to be carefully examined based on historical criticism.

Establishment of the Seventeen-Article Constitution

One of Prince Shotoku’s most important achievements was the Seventeen-Article Constitution, said to have been enacted in 604. This is considered Japan’s oldest written law and outlined basic principles for state governance. The content of the Seventeen-Article Constitution centered on the idea of harmony as the most precious, and explained the duties of officials and moral norms. This constitution aimed to establish a centralized state system while providing moral guidelines incorporating Buddhist and Confucian thought. In particular, the principle of “harmony is to be valued” in the first article had a significant influence on Japanese political culture. However, modern research debates whether Prince Shotoku was truly the author of the Seventeen-Article Constitution.

Introduction of the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System

In 603, Prince Shotoku introduced a new official rank system called the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System. This divided officials’ ranks into 12 levels, assigning six virtues: virtue, benevolence, propriety, faith, righteousness, and wisdom. This system enabled meritocratic personnel appointments independent of blood relations or clan names. The introduction of the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System was an important step in promoting the transition from a political system based on the traditional clan system to a centralized system. This led to the improvement and streamlining of the bureaucratic structure.

Dispatch of Envoys to Sui China

Prince Shotoku dispatched envoys to Sui, the great power in East Asia at the time, to establish diplomatic relations. The first envoy was sent in 600, followed by several more delegations. The dispatch of envoys to Sui had multiple purposes. One was to learn about Sui’s advanced culture and systems. Another was to improve the international status of Wa (Japan). In particular, they aimed to have the Sui emperor recognize the status of the King of Wa. The dispatch of envoys to Sui was a crucial opportunity for Japan to participate in East Asian international society. This experience was also carried over to the later dispatch of envoys to Tang China, contributing to the development of Japan’s international relations.

Protection and Nurturing of Buddhism and Religious Policy

Prince Shotoku was known as a devout Buddhist and focused on protecting and nurturing Buddhism. He built many temples, including Shitennoji and Horyuji. The promotion of Buddhism greatly contributed to the development of culture and education. Temples became centers of learning, and monks played important roles as intellectuals. However, Prince Shotoku’s religious policy was not solely focused on Buddhism. He also respected Shinto and aimed for harmony between Buddhism and Shinto. This approach to harmonizing the two became the foundation for later Japanese religious culture.

The Issue of “Hokke Gisho” and the Three Sutras Commentaries

Prince Shotoku was said to have authored commentaries on three Buddhist sutras: “Hokke Gisho,” “Shomangyo Gisho,” and “Yuimakyo Gisho.” However, modern research strongly questions whether these works were actually written by Prince Shotoku. Many researchers believe it is highly likely that these works were compiled by later scholars using Prince Shotoku’s name. The content of the three sutra commentaries shows strong influence from Buddhist thought later than Prince Shotoku’s era.

Relationship with the Soga Clan

Understanding Prince Shotoku’s political reforms requires considering his relationship with the powerful Soga clan. Prince Shotoku cooperated with the Soga clan to implement political reforms. The Soga clan held great power in the imperial court at the time, and Prince Shotoku used their influence to execute his policies. While this cooperative relationship strengthened Prince Shotoku’s political base, it also led to the later dominance of the Soga clan. The relationship between Prince Shotoku and the Soga clan is an important factor in understanding the political trends of ancient Japan.

Influence and Evaluation of Prince Shotoku’s Political Reforms

Prince Shotoku’s political reforms had a certain influence on the formation of the ancient Japanese state. The introduction of the Seventeen-Article Constitution and the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System was the first step towards a centralized state system. However, these reforms did not directly lead to the later Taika Reforms or the establishment of the ritsuryo system. There was still a long way to go before the completion of the ritsuryo system. Prince Shotoku’s foreign policy, especially the dispatch of envoys to Sui, was an important opportunity for Japan to participate in East Asian international society. This experience was carried over to the later dispatch of envoys to Tang China, contributing to the improvement of Japan’s international status. Prince Shotoku’s policy of protecting Buddhism had a profound influence on Japanese culture and thought. At the same time, his approach to harmonizing with Shinto led to the development of Japan’s unique religious culture.

Evaluation and Legends of Prince Shotoku

Prince Shotoku’s achievements have been passed down through generations along with various legends and anecdotes. He was revered as an ideal ruler and became the object of many folk beliefs. However, modern historical studies strongly emphasize the need to distinguish between Prince Shotoku’s true figure and the legends created in later ages. Questions have been raised about Prince Shotoku’s role as the author of the Seventeen-Article Constitution and the three sutra commentaries. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Prince Shotoku played an important role in the formation of the ancient Japanese state. His political reforms laid an important foundation for Japan’s development as a unified state.

Conclusion

Prince Shotoku’s political reforms brought significant changes to Japan in the Asuka period. His policies were wide-ranging, including the enactment of the Seventeen-Article Constitution, the introduction of the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System, the dispatch of envoys to Sui, and the protection and nurturing of Buddhism. These reforms contributed to the formation of the ancient Japanese state in various aspects, such as the transition to a centralized state system, the improvement of the bureaucratic system, the establishment of international relations, and cultural development. At the same time, much remains unclear about Prince Shotoku’s true figure, and we need to be cautious about the differences between the idealized image passed down through generations. Some of his alleged achievements may include later creations or exaggerations. However, despite these issues of historical evaluation, there is no doubt that Prince Shotoku played an important role in the formation of the ancient Japanese state and East Asian diplomacy. Prince Shotoku’s political reforms were an important step in Japan’s development as a unified state and had a significant influence on later Japanese history.