History of Asia

National reform of Asuka Imperial Court and Prince Shotoku [Kadoou]

It was around the time of the 5th century that Japan appeared historically after the blank 4th century.

A coalition government called the Yamato administration has appeared and is dominated by the great kings, and the range is said to have expanded from Kyushu to Kita-Kantou. In the latter half of the 5th century, the Five Kings of Wa ( San, Chin, Sei, Ko, Take ) Was in power of five influential kings. Among them, Takeshi (Emperor Yuryaku) strengthened his political position by sending a messenger to China's South Dynasty, Song, and showing his willingness to submit.

Meanwhile, the situation in East Asia will change.

In 589, China, which had been divided into groups after the Three Kingdoms era, was once again a unified dynasty [ Sui . ] Is born. This sui was so powerful that it affected not only Japan but the whole of East Asia.

Under the Yamato administration at the beginning of the 6th century, Mr. Otomo led the politics, but he lost power due to the entanglement of the policy toward the Korean Peninsula, and by the middle of the 6th century, Mr. Mononobe and Mr. Soga strong> Will be in conflict. Mr. Soga, in connection with the migrants, seized the financial rights of the imperial court and actively promoted the development of the government and the introduction of Buddhism.

The rise of Mr. Soga and Prince Shotoku

At that time, in Japan, the Minister, Soga no Umako In 587, Dalian's Mononobe no Moriya In 592, he assassinated Emperor Sushun and came to power.

Then, Emperor Suiko, the wife of Emperor Bidatsu, took the new position, and under foreign tensions, Soga no Umako and Prince Shotoku's "Kadoou" cooperated to form a national organization, and in 603, he was crowned. On the 12th floor, Article 17 of the Constitution was stipulated in 604.

Diplomatic relations with China are Takeshi [ Emperor Yuryaku ] It has been cut off since then.

Without proper diplomatic relations, it could be swallowed by the Sui dynasty. Therefore, he has been politicizing as the regent of Empress Suiko since 593, [ Prince Shotoku . ] Embarks on diplomacy to Sui.

The 1st dispatch of missions to Sui

We will dispatch the first mission to Sui in 600 years.

He sends a messenger to the Emperor of Sui and proposes to establish diplomatic relations, but it fails.

Japan's politics and systems at that time were so late that it was not recognized as a nation with diplomatic relations.

Based on this diplomatic failure, we will reform the nation in order to maintain the order of the nation and to create a centralized politics centered on the emperor. Power [ Sui ], I decided that Japan must also become one centered on the emperor.

This policy mentioned earlier.

Established in 603 [ Twelve Stage Cap and Rank ] And 604 [ Seventeen-article Constitution 】is.

Twelve Stage Cap and Rank

This was a reform of the status and occupation system based on the family status that was decided by the surname system.

The purpose is to appoint more talented human resources and develop national functions.

In the surname system, the rank was given to the "house", but in the system of the 12th floor of the crown, the crown is given in units of "individuals", which is a big difference.

Seventeen-article Constitution

This is a content that shows the attitude of the officials to work firmly according to the orders of the emperor.

It feels like the Constitution has been promulgated nationwide, but it's only for officials, so don't make a mistake.

Second dispatch of missions to Sui

After these political reforms, we will dispatch a second mission to Sui for revenge.

Ono no Imoko with this second mission to Sui Is selected.

As historical materials,

Three years of great business is 607 It is a thing.

Until the envoy to Sui, Japan had always shown its willingness to submit to the Chinese dynasty and borrowed its authority. The wording that demands equal diplomatic relations instead of the traditional tribute relations was included.

Japan at that time was in conflict with Silla over the interests of the Korean Peninsula.

In the conflict with Silla, it is very effective to establish an equal relationship with Sui.

However, the Emperor of Sui said, [ In addition to having equal diplomacy, as before ... ], And Wakoku was positioned as the same subordinate country as before.

Therefore, it is said that the emperor was furious at the letter given by Ono no Imoko.

During this period, Sui was also in a tense relationship with Goguryeo.

Therefore, if Wakoku rejects the national book from Wakoku and joins hands with Goguryeo, it will be troublesome for Sui. Against this background, the emperor was furious, but Sui had no choice but to establish an equal relationship with Wakoku.

It is said that such a situation is not a coincidence, and Wakoku is a diplomatic measure after knowing the relationship between Sui and Goguryeo.

About Prince Shotoku

In this article, [ Prince Shotoku ] Wrote that the national reform was carried out, but it seems that the treatment of Prince Shotoku is getting smaller and smaller in recent textbooks. In a recent study, [ Prince Shotoku ] The existence itself is questioned.

Then, it seems that it is different if it is said that Prince Shotoku did not exist, and the name Prince Shotoku that we often read is not the real name in the first place, but is called King Shotoku.

Prince Shotoku Is 574-622 He is a real politician of the Asuka period.

Born as a prince of Emperor Yōmei, he became the regent of Emperor Suiko at the age of 19 and achieved the many feats I wrote earlier. After praising this achievement, [ Prince Shotoku ] Is praised by people, and its name is now firmly established.

[ Prince Shotoku with the above achievements ] Was given to posterity.

If this achievement is true, Prince Shotoku It's OK, but his achievements are said to have been "Twelve Stage Cap and Rank", "Article 17 of the Constitution", "Compilation of National History", "Dispatch of Missions to Sui", and "Sangyo Gisho". , Construction of Horyuji Temple and Shitennoji Temple) ” The fact is that it is unlikely that one person has done all of this.

Examining all of Prince Shotoku's sources, the current view is that there is no perfect evidence that these policies have been centered around him. Behind the scenes, the textbook says that Soga no Umako and others cooperated, so it seems that they have advanced all the policies.

In any case, there is no doubt that he is a politician, so Prince Shotoku would not have been at the center of his administration.

Then, where and who [ Prince Shotoku ] Did the name appear? ??

After the death of King Shotoku, a fierce battle for succession to the throne (Jinshin War) occurs. The authority of the emperor has fallen, and the winner, Emperor Tenmu, will promote a centralized nation centered on the emperor.

At this time, Emperor Tenmu was [ Prince Shotoku . Focusing on the person named [ Prince Shotoku , he evaluated the measures of his life and was involved in all of these feats. ] Is said to have been created. It is believed to make his rivals, the gentry, aware of the excellence of their bloodline and the legitimacy of being the ruler of the country.

Historical materials are always written to your advantage. In other words, the Nihon Shoki written by the imperial court is also [ objectivity . ] Is always being researched with suspicion.

Against this background, recent textbooks have Prince Shotoku . It is often written that the word Prince Shotoku will disappear eventually.

In my time, an uncle with a rice scoop learned with Prince Shotoku, so I wrote this article.

Asuka Imperial Court and Culture

From the end of the 6th century, the royal palace of the Great King was built one after another in the Asuka region in the southern part of the Nara Basin.

The central tribes had a mansion separate from the royal palace, but the royal palace is concentrated in the land of Asuka and gradually appears as a capital.

Due to the success of the migrants, Baekje, Goguryeo, and the culture of the Northern and Southern Dynasties of China were greatly influenced. Etc. were built. The construction of these temples has shown the authority of the great tribes in place of the burial mounds.

The Buddhist-centered culture spread by the Soga clan and royalty is called Asuka culture.

There are many anecdotes and Prince Shotoku does not exist! ??

There are many anecdotes and there are few concrete historical materials of this era, so the current situation is that we do not have much grasp of the figure, in fact Prince Shotoku [Kadoo] Wasn't there a person who said that? It is a mysterious person who is said to be.

However, since Prince Shotoku's religion began around the Nara period, he gained some popularity from the people shortly after his death, so he seems to be a very virtuous person.

Prince Shotoku is a person who has had a great influence on Japanese Buddhism to the extent that he can be said to be the ancestor of Japanese Buddhism because of his achievements in spreading Buddhism in Japan in earnest.

" No Japanese Buddhism without Prince Shotoku You may say.

Soga no Umako also plays a role in the mission of Buddhism, but it is not much talked about because it is suspicious of the murder of Emperor Sushun.

Therefore, when the people try to learn Buddhism, Prince Shotoku's name always comes up, so [ Isn't it a great guy to spread such a wonderful teaching? ?? ] It is no wonder that anecdotes are born on a people-by-people basis.

In addition, Prince Shotoku's son, Prince Yamashiro, had a tragic end, and the fact that his bloodline was cut off also gave the story a story, and it may have ignited popularity.

  • For the first time in politics under Emperor Suiko
  • Being recognized as the ancestor of Japanese Buddhism
  • Prince Shotoku became famous as Buddhism became popular
  • His son died tragically
  • Prince Shotoku was a super nice guy while he was alive

The reputation around here may have been passed down to posterity and may have become the secret to the popularity of Prince Shotoku.