Prince Shotoku

This is the tale of the early life of Prince Umayato,

later to be known as Crown Prince Shotoku.

Over 1,400 years ago,

Korea was comprised of three warring kingdoms.

Koguryo, Silla, and Paikche.

Silla and Paikche, in particular...

fought for control of Kaya, southernmost tip of Korea.

It was because Kaya produced the peninsula's most iron.

January 585...

It's him. Be careful.

You're from Silla?!

Stop!

Don't kill me!

You're going to Wakoku only to make tiles?

The people are building a temple.

They need tiles.

The government sent me because they need apothecaries.

Can't the people of Wakoku grow their own herbs?

It's the same with music.

They leave it all to Paikche.

They're fighting in Wakoku again?

They're always fighting.

That's why they want iron and weapons.

It's in sight. It's Wakoku.

It's Wakoku!

"Wakoku."

That is what foreigners called the land of Yamato.

PRINCE SHOTOKU

This is punishment!

Punishment by the Emperor!

Kill Buddhism!

Pull down the statue!

March 585...

Asuka, capital of the state of Yamato, was in disarray.

Two clans clashed over newly introduced Buddhism,

led by Soga Umako and Mononobe Moriya.

Moriya had received an order from Emperor Bidatsu

to burn down all the Buddhist images in Umako's mansion.

Great Minister Soga!

This is an edict from the Emperor!

Since you brought these Buddhist images from Paikche,

the provinces have been swept by an evil plague.

The suffering of the people could lead to our destruction.

You are ordered to destroy all Buddhist Images!

Our compassionate Emperor...

could not have Issued that edict!

You probably pressed him to do it!

What of it?!

The Emperor has agreed with our concerns!

NAKATOM KATSUMI

Since time immemorial,

countless gods and deities have existed in Yamato.

We need no foreign gods!

Drag it out!

Strike the sinners in punishment!

Great Minister!

An evil curse may have befallen you!

Cough in here and exorcise the evil.

Your Highness!

When did you arrive?

You're a strange one, Great Minister.

Though you teach me Buddhism,

you still believe in other gods as well.

Buddha still has not cured my toothache.

Though treated shabbily, he does not punish these men!

This god is slow to act.

Is that why you doubt him?

No, I do not. However...

This was written in the sutra I read today...

"There is only one truth in this world."

"Only one."

"Only one truth. Only one."

It has a nice ring to it.

The sutra was one you obtained from Paikche.

Great Aunt allowed me to take it from the storehouse, and I read it.

Unfortunately, this is the state of the storehouse today.

If it interests you so much, take it.

No, it is already in here.

In there?

My faithful followers...

My body is frail And impermanent.

It has no power, no certainty.

In this world, all things fade away.

Rely not on them.

Last night, I had a dream that was like this situation.

A Buddhist hall was in flames.

However, the rains dame at once.

A great rain came and put out the fire.

Rain...?

The road turned into mire.

The troops could not take the Buddhist images far.

It means that the images will someday return.

Look there!

The dream has become true!

Great Minister!

Whence have you come?

From Paikche.

On what business?

I heard Great Minister Soga is seeking sword makers.

Sword maker...? You are a smithy?

Your name?

Ishin.

Prince Umayato was twelve at this time.

He was a prince of the Emperor's house that ruled Yamato.

Shortly after this incident,

Emperor Bidatsu fell ill and died.

The people said he had been cursed for burning the sacred images.

A fight for succession began among Bidatsu's half brothers.

Among them, the eldest, Prince Oye,

was the leading candidate for Emperor.

Prince Oye was Umayato's father...

and a devout Buddhist.

Umayato...

Look at this blade.

It is a new spade brought from Paikche.

It can dig deeper than any preceding it.

As your Uncle Soga says...

Paikche's farming methods are greatly advanced.

And not only in spades.

Their Buddhist writings are incredibly deep.

Paikche is great to adopt them as national doctrine.

Umayato...

Kume...

Do you not think the sun's light is wondrous?

It has shone upon the great earth since time began.

Unmoved by anything.

Shining upon good and evil men,

upon stones and grasses.

The Buddha's heart might be like the sun.

If only...

I could live as this light.

AMAKASHI HILL

I thought a smithy only made swords.

You make Buddhist images as well?

Dried persimmon.

Have some?

I am coming in.

Don't stand on formality. Let us eat.

How beautiful.

May I touch it?

For whom did you make this?

No one in particular. It was to pass the time.

Will you show this to the Great Minister?

No. I was ordered to make a sword for the Great Minister.

Many images were destroyed in the raid.

He is surely downhearted.

This is sure to please him! Why not show it to him now?

SHIMANOMIYA, MANSION OF SOGA NO UMAKO

Tell the Great Minister Umayato has come.

I have.

May I go inside?

You may.

Tojiko, speak in the Yamato tongue.

You should speak in the Paikche tongue, Highness!

Father says we must speak Paikche in the mansion.

You shall be obliged to do so, too.

The Great Ministers daughter. An incorrigible hoyden!

I am not a hoyden!

Why is Oye the leading candidate for Emperor?!

I wish to know!

Though I, Anahobe, am Oye's half brother,

my mother was a Soga princess, too.

I am just as suited to be Emperor!

My hands are tied.

The widow of the late Emperor...

must select the Emperor.

The Consort is also Soga.

They say your influence with her is great.

Brother...

Prince Umayato...!

To Prince Anahobe,

Umayato's father Oye was his greatest rival.

Who do you think would be the best Emperor?

I, Anahobe? Or Oye?

You, Brother.

Why?

Tell Uncle the reason.

Tell him!

Brother believes iron is necessary...

to make our land strong and prosperous.

The iron is in Kaya.

Kaya a is controlled by Silla.

That is why Brother wishes to fight Silla...

and take Kaya.

He has nobility and energy.

I, Hatsusebe, believe

my brother, Anahobe, is the true hero...

who will bring prosperity to our land.

Also, when as Emperor, I have taken Kaya,

you shall have all the mining rights for iron.

You should be quite satisfied with that.

I see. However...

war with Silla is a difficult affair.

Umako did not accept Anahobe's offers.

He knew Anahobe was in league with Moriya.

HATA KAWAKATSU, MERCHANT

The problem is Prince Anahobe.

He plans to attack Silla.

The Mononobe are the same.

For iron, the illustrious houses of Yamato...