抄録
Rare is such a historical figure who has been the subject of review for so many generations as Prince Shōtoku (574–622). His image alone serves as an entire research topic. This paper focuses on Prince Shōtoku Hōsankai, an honoring party founded in 1921, and examines how it impacted the modern view of Prince Shōtoku.
In general, Prince Shōtoku is known as the regent and prince to Empress Suiko, suppressing tyranny of the Gōzoku (prominent clans) and striving for a central government led by the emperor. Prince Shōtoku established diplomatic relations with the Sui dynasty and promoted the civilization of Japan by proactively adopting the Chinese culture. This perception was based on the Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan, written in 720). However, modern research has denied the existence of a prince or regent during the Suiko dynasty. Additionally, Prince Shōtoku was most likely an advisor to Empress Suiko and Soga no Umako, without much involvement in government policies. (View PDF for the rest of the abstract.)
