The oldest officially administered temple in Japan, Shitennoji was built by Prince Shotoku (574-622 A.D.), the great cultural hero of early Japanese history who at the age of sixteen successfully triumphed over the opposition and brought about the adoption of Buddhism in the country. The battle was between the Soga Clan and the Mononobe Clan. The Soga, represented by Prince Shotoku, wanted Japan to adopt Buddhism, a newly arrived, highly developed religion from India via China, and the powerful Monobe were opposed, supporting instead the ancient Japanese religion. The Prince, it was said, achieved his victory by praying to the Four Heavenly Kings, the soldiers of the Buddha. And it was to mark that victory that in 593 A.D. he ordered the construction of Shitennoji Temple. The temple was built not far from Osaka Bay, which played a vital role in trade and traffic. It was a strategic location which enabled a show of Japan’s power and prosperity to the world. Despite repeated reconstructions, the layout of the temple compound has remained largely unchanged from the beginning. Shitennoji is the favorite shrine of many Japanese people and is fondly regarded as the Buddhist altar of Osaka.