Episode 94: Magpies, Buddhism, and the Baekje Summer Reading Program
Wooden statue of a Buddhist priest, said to be Kanroku,aka Kwalleuk, the priest who came over to Yamato with books of Buddhist and Confucian thought, philosophy, and science. The image was likely made in the 10th century and was made for the Hōryūji, a temple said to be founded by Shōtoku Taishi on or near his palace. Hōryūji lays claim to the oldest extant wooden building in the world, built in the 7th century, and was heavily connected to Shotoku Taishi. Image in the public domain, per Wikimedia Commons.
Here we go, starting our foray into the reign of Kashikiya Hime no Ōkimi, aka Suiko Tennō, and we start with looking at the relationship between the archipelago and the continent, particularly the states on the Korean Peninsula.
Dramatis Personae
I’m not going to cover everyone in this summary. Partly because some of the names are slightly familiar, but not so much that the individual is the point—at least not yet. There are a few exceptions, however,
Naniwa no Kishi
There are several individuals this time around that are known as either “Kishi” or “Naniwa no Kishi”, and mention of them goes back at least the reign of Wakatakiru, aka Yūryaku Tennō. There we see listed a “Naniwa no Kishi” and “Hitaka no Kishi”. In this case, “Kishi” seems to be like a kabane. However, by this point, the early 7th century, it seems like “Kishi” is used just like a name. It is possible it evolved into a name, over time, and I’ll try to look into that a bit more, just know that we are going to have some questions around the Naniwa no Kishi.
Kanroku / Kwalleuk
Kanroku—Aston translates his name into modern Korean as Kwalleuk—was a priest from Baekje and is seen as one of the teachers of Shōtoku Taishi.
Prince Kume
I mention this in the episode, but “Kume” means “Army” (though the characters they use are more like “Come” and “Eye/See”). Not much is known, other than the fact that he was recorded as a royal prince and he eventually was placed in charge of the army.
Tamahe no Kimi
The older brother of Umayado and Kume. Again, we don’t know much about him at this point, other than what is in the genealogical records. This appears to be the same person elsewhere listed as “Maruko”.
Magpies
As noted in the episode, magpies are not native to Japan. That said, there are two different types that the word the Japanese used could be used for . This first is the Eurasian Magpie (pica pica) and the other is the Oriental, or Chiense, Magpie (pica sericus). Although the magpies are not native to the archipelago, stories of them as auspicious birds no doubt came across.
References
Lurie, D. B. (2011). Realms of Literacy: Early Japan and the History of Writing. Harvard University Asia Center. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1x07wq2
Como, Michael (2008). Shōtoku: Ethnicity, Ritual, and Violence in the Japanese Buddhist Tradition, ISBN 978-0-19-518861-5
Bentley, John. (2006). The Authenticity of Sendai Kuji Hongi: a New Examination of Texts, with a Translation and Commentary. ISBN-90-04-152253.
Aston, W. G. (1972). Nihongi, chronicles of Japan from the earliest times to A.D. 697. London: Allen & Unwin. ISBN0-80480984-4