Shotōku, Prince (574-622), was a Japanese statesman and religious scholar. In 604, he introduced Japan‘s first known written law, the Seventeen Article Constitution.
Shotōku was the son of Emperor Yomei, who reigned from 585 to 587. While very young, Shotōku became a wise, successful student. At the age of 15, he fought in the civil war that followed his father’s death. In 592, Shotōku was appointed regent by the newly crowned Empress Suiko. In 594, Shotōku called for the worship of Buddha and his teachings. He later wrote Buddhist commentaries and supervised the building of temples, such as the Horyuji, completed in 607. As well as drawing up a constitution, Shotōku also promoted the wearing of caps to denote government rank. Shotōku formally opened relations with China in 607. A year before his death, he completed the first history of Japan.
