Originating in India around -500, Buddhism swept across Asia in just 1000 years. It came last to Japan, crossing the sea in the mid 6th century, first from Korea and soon thereafter from China. Buddhism was greeted with some resistance (see below), but by +585 it was recognized by Emperor Yomei 用明 (reigned +585-587; also spelled Yōmei, Youmei), and thereafter spread fast under the patronage of his son, Shōtoku (Shotoku Taishi 聖徳太子 (+574-622). Tradition holds that Emperor Yomei once experienced a serious illness, but the young Shōtoku, impressed by the new Buddhist faith, prayed day and night by his father’s side. Emperor Yomei recovered and converted to Buddhism.