During the late sixth century in Japan there was a period of civil strife between two rival clans, the Mononobe and Soga. This was a period of the loss of Japanese territories in Korea, and of a great influx of Koreans into Japan. They brought Buddhism, as well as much knowledge of Chinese customs. Finally, under the joint rule of Empress Suiko and her nephew, Prince Shotoku, a successful attempt was made to reestablish harmony under the Emperor by adapting Chinese practices. During their reign these two remarkable rulers set up a court patterned on the Chinese court. Among their reforms was the Shotoku's Seventeen Article Constitution, Japan's first formal law code. These selections from the Nihongi give some of their highlights of their reign.
The Empress Toyo-mike Hashiki-ya-hime was the second daughter of the Emperor Ame-kuni oshi-hiraki-hiro-niha and a younger sister by the same mother of the Emperor Tachibana no toyo-hi. In her childhood she was called the Princess Nukada-be. Her appearance was beautiful, and her conduct was marked by propriety. At the age of eighteen, she was appointed Empress-consort of the Emperor Nunakjra futo-dama-shiki. When she was thirty-four years of age, in the 5th year and the 11th month of the reign of the Emperor Hatsuse-be, the Emperor was murdered by the Great Imperial Chieftain Mumako no Sukune, and the succession to the Dignity being vacant, the Ministers besought the Empress-consort of the Emperor Nunakura fut-dama-shiki, viz. the Princess Nukada-be, to ascend the throne. The Empress refused, but the public functionaries urged her in memorials three times until she consented, and they accordingly delivered to her the Imperial Seal ...
1st year [AD 593], Summer, 4th month, 10th day. The Imperial Prince Mumayado no Toyotominim [Shotoku] was appointed Prince Imperial. He had general control of the government, and was entrusted with all the details of administration. He was the second child of the Emperor Tachibana no Toyo-hi. The Empress-consort his mother's name was the Imperial Princess Anahoe no Hashibito. The Empress-consort, on the day of the dissolution of her pregnancy, went round the forbidden precinct, inspecting the different offices. When she came to the Horse Department, and had just reached the door of the stables, she was suddenly delivered of him without effort. He was able to speak as soon as he was born, and was so wise when he grew up that he could attend to the suits of ten men at once and decide them all without error. He knew beforehand what was going to happen. Moreover he learnt the Inner Doctrine from a Koryo Priest named Hye-cha, and studied the Outer Classics with a doctor called Kak-ka. [*C1] In both of these branches of study he became thoroughly proficient. The Emperor his father loved him, and made him occupy the Upper Hall South of the Palace. Therefore he was styled the Senior Prince Kamu-tsu-miya, Muma-ya-do Toyotomimi.
11th year [604], 12th month, 5th day. Cap-ranks were first instituted in all twelve grades:
Dai-toku -- greater virtue
Sho-toku -- lesser virtue
Dai-nin -- greater humanity
Sho-nin -- lesser humanity
Dai-rei -- greater decorum
Sho-rei -- lesser decorum
Dai-shin -- greater faith
Sho-shin -- lesser faith
Dai-gi -- greater righteousness
Sho-gi -- lesser righteousness
Dai-chi -- greater knowledge
Sho-chi -- lesser knowledge
Each was made of sarcenet of a special color. They were gathered up on the crown in the shape of a bag, and had a border attached. Only on the first day of the year were hair-flowers worn.
[In this year also a Chinese-style calendar was officially adopted for the first time. The Seventeen-Article Constitution was also adopted.]
14th year [606-, 5th month, 5 th day. The imperial commands were given to Kuratsukuri no Tori, saying: "It being My desire to encourage the Inner doctrines, I was about to erect a Buddhist Temple, and for this purpose sought for relics. Then thy grandfather, Shiba Tatto, offered Me relics. Moreover, there were no monks or nuns in the land. Thereupon thy father, Tasuna, for the sake of the Emperor Tachibana no Toyohi, took priestly orders and reverenced the Buddhist law. Also thine aunt Shimame was the first to leave her home and, become the forerunner of all nuns, to practice the religion of Shakya. Now, We desired to make a sixteen-foot Buddha, and to that end sought for a good image of Buddha. Thou didst provide a model which met Our wishes. Moreover, when the image of Buddha was completed, it could not be brought into the Hall, and none of the workmen could suggest a plan of doing so. They were, therefore, on the point of breaking down the doorway, when thou didst manage to admit it without breaking down the doorway. For all these services of thine, We grant thee the rank of Dainin, and We also bestow on thee twenty cho of water-fields in the district of Sakata in the province of Afumi." With the revenue derived from this land, Tori built for the Empress the Temple of Kongo-ji, now known as the nunnery of Sakata in Minabuchi.
Autumn, 7th month. The Empress requested the Prince Imperial to lecture on the Sutra of Queen Srimala. He completed his explanation of it in three days.
In this year the Prince Imperial also lectured on the Lotus Sutra in the Palace of Okamoto. The Empress was greatly pleased, and bestowed on the Prince Imperial one hundred cho of water-fields in the Province of Harima. They were therefore added to the Temple of Ikaruga.
16th year [608], "Autumn, 9th month. At this time there were sent to the land of T'ang [China] the students Fukuin [and others], together with student priests Nichibun [and others], in all eight persons.
In this year many persons from Silla [Korea] came to settle in Japan.
22nd year [614], 6th month, 13th day. Mitasuki, Lord of Inugami, and Yatabe no Miyakko were sent to the Land of Great T'ang [China].
30th year [622], Autumn, 7th month ... At this time the Buddhist priests E-sai and E-ko, with the physicians E-jitsu and Fuku-in, students of the learning of the Great T'ang, arrived in company with others. Now E-jitsu and the rest together made representation to the Empress, saying: "Those who have resided in T'ang to study have all completed their courses and ought to be sent for. Moreover, the Land of Great T'ang is an admirable country, whose laws are complete and fixed. Constant communication should be kept up with it."
28th year [620]. This year, the Prince Imperial, in concert with the Great Imperial Chieftain Soga, drew up a history of the emperors, a history of the country, and the original record of the Imperial Chieftains, Deity Chieftains, Court Chieftains, Local Chieftains, the 180 hereditary Corporations and the common people. [The Kiujiki or Kujiki, no longer extant.]
29th year [621], Spring, 2nd month, 5th day. In the middle of the night the Imperial Prince Mumayado no Toyotomimi no Mikoto died in the Palace of Ikaruga. At this time all the Princes and Omi [Imperial Chieftains], as well as the people of the empire, the old, as if they had lost a dear child, had no taste for salt and vinegar in their mouths, the young, as if they had lost a beloved parent, filled the ways with the sound of their lamenting. The farmer ceased from his plough, and the pounding woman laid down her pestle. They all said: "The sun and moon have lost their brightness; heaven and earth have crumbled to ruin: henceforward, in whom shall we put our trust?"
In this month the Prince Imperial Kamitsumiya [Shotoku] was buried in the Shinaga Misasagi.
At this time Hye-cha, the Buddhist priest of Koryo, heard of the death of the Prince Imperial Kamitsumiya, and was greatly relieved thereat. He invited the priests, and in honor of the Prince Imperial gave them a meal, and explained the sacred books in person. On this day he prayed, saying: "In the Land of Nippon there is a sage, by name the Imperial Prince Kamitsumiya Toyotomimi. Certainly Heaven has freely endowed him with the virtues of a sage. Born in the Land of Nippon, he thoroughly possessed the three fundamental principles, he continued the great plans of the former sages. He reverenced the Three Treasures [Buddha, Dharma and Samgha], and assisted the people in their distress. He was truly a great sage. And now the Prince Imperial is dead. I, although a foreigner, was in heart closely united to him. Now what avails it that I alone should survive? I have determined to die on the 5th day of the 2nd month of next year. So shall I meet the Prince Imperial Kamitsumiya in the Pure Land, and together with him pass through the metempsychosis of all living creatures." Now when the appointed day came, Hye-cha died, and all the people of that day said to another: "Prince Kamitsumiya is not the only sage, Hye-cha is also a sage."
