Prince
Shotoku Taishi (574 to 622) of Yamato era acclaimed the throne after the rule
of Empress Suiko and is said to be a member of the imperial clan. In his reign,
he had institutionalized new constitution basing on the Chinese model in which
they have adopted its calendar, religious practice in Confucianism and Taoism
and spread Buddhism across Japan. Shinto, a religion based on actions and
focusing on rituals became a connector between the present and past lifestyle
of Japan. China has also greatly influenced its ethics and philosophy. The Seventeen-Article
Constitution has established political rules such as fair trials and officials
obeying the reign of the monarch.
