Prince Shotoku (Umayado no Miko) was an imperial prince and statesman of the Asuka period. He assisted in government under Empress Suiko and is said to have established the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System and the Seventeen-Article Constitution and sent envoys to Sui China. A devout Buddhist, he is also said to have founded Horyuji Temple and Shitennoji Temple in Osaka.
Many superhuman anecdotes are told about him, such as hearing ten people’s petitions at once, and the Nihon Shoki says he could foresee the future. From these legends arose the story of the Miraiki, a book of prophecy in which the prince wrote down the future of Japan, widely believed in medieval times. He is also linked with the globe kept at Ikarugadera Temple.
