INTRODUCTION. Buddhism originated in India around 500 BC and swept across Asia in just 1000 years. It came last to Japan, crossing the sea in the mid 6th century, first from Korea and then later from China. Buddhism was greeted with some resistance in Japan (see Early Japanese Buddhism), but by + 585 it was recognized by Emperor Yōmei 用明 (reigned + 585-587) and thereafter spread fast under the patronage of his second son, Shōtoku Taishi 聖徳太子 (+ 574-622).