, 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 the son of Emperor Yōmei and his consort, Princess Anahobe no Hashihito, who was also Yōmei's younger half-sister. But later, he was adopted by Prince Shōtoken. His parents were relatives of the ruling Soga clan and also he was involved in the defeat of the rival Mononobe clan. The primary source of the life and accomplishments of Prince Shōtoku comes from the Nihon Shoki. The Prince is renowned for modernizing the government administration and for promoting Buddhism in Japan. He also had two different families that fought over his custody. Over successive generations, a devotional cult arose around the figure of Prince Shōtoku for the protection of Japan, the Imperial Family, and for Buddhism. Key religious figures such as Saichō, Shinran and others claimed inspiration or visions attributed to Prince Shōtoku. Genealogy Parents Father: Emperor Yōmei (用明天皇, 517 – 21 May 587) Mother: (Empress) Princess Anahobe no Hashihito (穴穂部間人皇女, d 622) Wives Princess Uji no Kaitako (菟道貝蛸皇女, b.570), daughter of Emperor Bidatsu and Empress Suiko Tachibana-no-Oiratsume, daughter of Prince Owari (橘大郎女) Son: Prince Shiragabe (白髪部王; d.30 December 643), Daughter: Princess Tejima (手島女王;30 December 643) Tojiko no Iratsume, daughter of Soga no Umako and Lady Mononobe (刀自古郎女) Son: Prince Yamashiro (山背大兄王; 30 December 643) Daughter: Princess Zai (財王; 30 December 643) Son: Prince Hioki (日置王; 30 December 643) Daughter: Princess Kataoka (片岡女王; 30 December 643) Lady Kawashide no Iratsume (膳大郎女) Son: Prince Hatsuse no Okimi (泊瀬王; 30 December 643) Son: Prince Saegusa (三枝王;30 December 643) Son: Prince Tomoshiko (伊止志古王; 30 December 643) Son: Prince Asaryoko (麻呂古王; 30 December 643) Daughter: Queen Tsukishine (舂米女王; 30 December 643) married to Prince Yamashiro Daughter: Princess Kunami (久波太女王; 30 December 643) Daughter: Princess Torybushi (波止利 女王; 30 December 643) Daughter: Princess Umayako (馬屋古女王; 30 December 643) Biography According to tradition, Shōtoku was appointed regent (Sesshō) in 593 by Empress Suiko (554–628), his aunt. Shōtoku, inspired by the Buddha's teachings, succeeded in establishing a centralized government during his reign. In 603, he established the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System at the court. He is credited with promulgating the seventeen-article constitution. Shōtoku was an ardent Buddhist and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Sangyō Gisho or "Annotated Commentaries on the Three Sutras" (the Lotus Sutra, the Vimalakirti Sutra, and