MEIJI OR SHOWA, 20TH CENTURYShotoku Taishi is depicted as a youth standing on a rocky outcrop and pointing in the distance, wearing a short tunic and with his hair arranged in typical style, a falcon perched on his left arm, the back with lines of calligraphy, possibly including a signature for artist Hata Shokichi (1882-1966), 25cm.Provenance: an English private collection, Somerset, purchased in Japan.Prince Shotoku Taishi (574-622) was a semi-legendary Crown Prince and Regent to the Empress Suiko during the Asuka period (538-710). He became an important political and cultural leader modernizing the government administration. He also promoted Buddhism and is sometimes regarded as one of its founders in Japan.