was the eldest son of one of the most famous figures in Japanese history, Prince Shōtoku

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...

. Yamashiro claimed the right to Imperial succession in 628, following the death of 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....

. However, he lost the claim to Prince Tamura who ascended to the throne as Emperor Jomei

Emperor Jomei

was the 34th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Jomei's reign spanned the years from 629 through 641.-Traditional narrative:Before Jomei's ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was or...

, having enjoyed the support of powerful court noble 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....

.

He and his family committed suicide when their home was attacked by Emishi's son, 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...

, in 643. Some scholars believe Yamashiro to have been the famous poet-scholar Sarumaru no Taifu

Sarumaru no Taifu

was a waka poet in the early Heian period. He is a member of the , but there are no detailed histories or legends about him. There is a possibility that there never was such a person. Some believe him to have been Prince Yamashiro no Ōe.- Poetry example :...

, about whom nearly nothing is known.