Suiko Tennō
Dates: 554 - 628 C.E. empress of Japan: 592-628 C.E. Place in history:
• first reigning empress of Japan in recorded history • expansion of Buddhism in Japan, increasing Chinese influence in Japan • daughter of Emperor Kimmei, empress consort of Emperor Bidatsu, sister of Emperor Sujun (or Sushu)
Suiko was the daughter of Emperor Kimmei and at 18 became the empress-consort of Emperor Bidatsu, who reigned 572-585, nachdem seine Erstfrau starb. After Bidatsu's death, Suiko's brother, Emperor Yōmei (用明), came to power for a brief period of about two years before dying of illness (wiki jap. + engl.) . Suiko was convinced to take the throne, with the son of another chieftain acting as regent who actually administered government. Suiko reigned as Empress for 30 years. Crown Prince Shotoku was regent or prime minister for 30 years.
Empress Suiko is credited with ordering the promotion of Buddhism beginning in 594. During her reign, Buddhism became firmly established; the second article of the 17 article constitution instituted under her reign promoted Buddhist worship, and she sponsored Buddhist temples and monasteries.
Some of the many achievements under Empress Suiko's reign include the official recognition of Buddhism by the issuance of the Flourishing Three Treasures Edict in 594, the opening of relations with the Sui court in 600, the adoption of the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System in 603 and the adoption of the Seventeen-article constitution in 604. Suiko was also one of the first Buddhist monarchs in Japan and had taken the vows of a nun shortly before becoming empress.