Basic Information
Summary
Kanazawa Hideyuki(Hokkaido University)
“Saichō and the Alternative Biography of Prince Shōtoku – Variations of the Nihon shoki in the Heian Period.”
Host
KAKENHI Program “Development of the Next Generation of East Asian Classical Studies through International Collaboration: From the Perspective of the Frontier of the Realm of Chinese Characters”
Reports
In the presentation, the focus was placed on the Alternative Biography of Prince Shōtoku (Ihon jōgū taishi den), one of the biographies of Prince Shōtoku derived from the Nihon shoki, which emerged in the early ninth century. It was noted that Saichō may have been involved in its creation.
First, Professor Kanazawa explained that the Alternative Biography of Prince Shōtoku portrays Prince Shōtoku as the reincarnation of the Buddhist monk Huisi, the spiritual ancestor of Jianzhen (Ganjin). Then, he pointed out that there are overlapping parts between this biography and Saichō's work, Tendai hokkeshu fuhō’engi [Record of the Transmission of the Dharma in the Tendai Lotus School]. Furthermore, Professor Kanazawa argued that, rather than the Alternative Biography of Prince Shōtoku being inherited from the Record of the Transmission of the Dharma, it is more appropriate to consider that the latter evolved into the former.
Finally, Professor Kanazawa noted that Saichō’s portrayal of Prince Shōtoku formed the basis for the claim that upholding Tendai teachings serves to support the state. An overview was also provided on how this image of Prince Shōtoku transformed in later years.
The subject of the seminar, which deals with the Nihon shoki, continues the discussions from the previous two seminars. Across the three seminars, various perspectives on the Nihon shoki have been presented. Although this marks the final session of this year's Peking University seminar series, sessions are also planned to continue next academic year.
(Tobita Hidenobu, Doctoral Program, Tokyo University)
