, also read as Jōgū Shōtoku Hōō Taisetsu, is a biography of Shōtoku Taishi

Prince Shotoku

, also known as or , was a semi-legendary regent and a politician of the Asuka period in Japan who served under Empress Suiko. He was a son of Emperor Yōmei and his younger half-sister Princess Anahobe no Hashihito. His parents were relatives of the ruling Soga clan, and was involved in the defeat...

. It is one scroll in length and is a National Treasures of Japan

National treasures of Japan

National Treasures are the most precious of Japan's Tangible Cultural Properties, as determined and designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs...

.

Background

The author (or authors) of the text is unknown. It originally belonged to Hōryū-ji

Hōryū-ji

is a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji , or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as seminary and monastery both....

, but it was transferred to Chion-in in 1879.

The text consists of five distinct sections written over distinct time periods. In addition, the reverse side also contains some content.

While some parts seem to have been written by the early eighth century, the complete manuscript dates from around 1050.

Contents

The first section lists Shōtoku's genealogy, including his mother and father, wife, and children. This is the oldest section and was written sometime before 701 or 708.

The second section describes his achievements. These include his Buddhist contributions such as his sutras

Sangyo Gisho

The , literally "Annotated Commentaries on the Three Sutras," is the title of three annotated commentaries on important Buddhist sutras: , , and .-Hokke Gisho:...

 as well as the enactment of the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System

Twelve Level Cap and Rank System

, established in 603, was the first of what would be several similar cap and rank systems established during the Asuka period of Japanese history. It was adapted from similar systems that were already in place in Sui dynasty China, Paekche and Koguryŏ. The officials wore silk caps that were...

.

The third section contains the full text of three inscriptions:

• the Bhaisajyaguru
  Bhaisajyaguru
  Bhaiṣajyaguru , formally Bhaiṣajyaguruvaidūryaprabharāja , is the buddha of healing and medicine in Mahāyāna Buddhism. Commonly referred to as the "Medicine Buddha", he is described as a doctor who cures suffering using the medicine of his teachings.-Origin:...
  
   status at Hōryū-ji
  Hōryū-ji
  is a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji , or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as seminary and monastery both....
  
  
• the group of three Buddha known as at Hōryū-ji
  Hōryū-ji
  is a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji , or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as seminary and monastery both....
  
  
• the Tenjukoku Mandara embroidered curtain

Much of the text of the curtain is now lost, so this text is invaluable in reconstructing the missing text. It also contains three poems from Kose no Mitsue (巨勢三杖).

The fourth section contains a number of historical events. These include the introduction of Buddhism to Japan from Baekje

Baekje

Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....

, the creation of the Seventeen-article constitution

Seventeen-article constitution

The is, according to Nihon Shoki published in 720, a document authored by Prince Shōtoku in 604. It was adopted in the reign of Empress Suiko. The emphasis of the document is not so much on the basic laws by which the state was to be governed, such as one may expect from a modern constitution, but...

, the destruction of the Yamashiro

Prince Yamashiro

was the eldest son of one of the most famous figures in Japanese history, Prince Shōtoku. Yamashiro claimed the right to Imperial succession in 628, following the death of Empress Suiko...

 family by Soga no Emishi

Soga no Emishi

was a statesman of the Yamato Imperial Court. His alternative names include Emishi and Toyora no Ooomi . After the death of his father Soga no Umako, Emishi took over Ooomi, the Minister of state, from his father....

 and Soga no Iruka

Soga no Iruka

was a statesman in the Asuka Period of Japan.He was a son of Soga no Emishi. He was assassinated by Prince Naka-no-Ōe though he tried to murder Prince Yamashiro, and to rule the emperor family. Emishi also committed suicide soon after his son's death, and the main branch of the Soga clan went...

, and the destruction of Soga no Emishi and Soga no Iruka by Naka-no-Ōe

Emperor Tenji

, also known as Emperor Tenchi, was the 38th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Tenji's reign spanned the years from 661 through 671.-Traditional narrative:...

. This section was written between 708 and 715.

The fifth section details the reigns of five generations of rulers: Emperor Kimmei

Emperor Kimmei

was the 29th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.His reign is said to have spanned the years from 539 through 571.-Traditional narrative:...

, Emperor Bidatsu

Emperor Bidatsu

was the 30th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Bidastsu's reign spanned the years from 572 through 585.-Traditional narrative:Bidatsu was called in the Nihonshoki....

, Emperor Yōmei

Emperor Yomei

was the 31st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Yōmei's reign spanned the years from 585 until his death in 587.-Traditional narrative:...

, Emperor Sushun

Emperor Sushun

was the 32nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Sushun's reign spanned the years from 587 through 592.-Traditional narrative:...

, and Empress Suiko

Empress Suiko

was the 33rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Suiko's reign spanned the years from 593 until her death in 628....

. Included is the years of their reigns, death, and tomb information. Finally, it concludes with Shōtoku's own death.

The reverse side of the scroll contains details about Soga no Umako

Soga no Umako

was the son of Soga no Iname and a member of the powerful Soga clan of Japan.Umako conducted political reforms with Prince Shōtoku during the rules of Emperor Bidatsu and Empress Suiko and established the Soga clan's stronghold in the government by having his daughter married with members of the...

 and the construction of the Yamada-dera and Han'nya-ji temples.