Prince Imseong

Prince Imseong (琳聖太子, Rinshō Taishi, 577 – November, 657), was the third son of King Seong of Baekje who died in battle with Silla forces in 554.

In Japan, the legend of Prince Imseong is closely associated with the Ōuchi clan and the introduction of advanced iron-making technology and Myōken faith from Korea.

[4] The Prince's descendants took on the surname Tatara (多々良), which means "cupola furnace" or "foot-operated bellows" in Japanese and later referred to iron-making and forging specialists.

Throughout the years into the next century, the Ōuchis became the most welcomed among the various tributary daimyos from Muromachi Japan, and eventually asked for the cherished Tripitaka Koreana, under the assumption that the now pro-Confucian and anti-Buddhist Joseon dynasty might be willing to part with it.

And their Tatara name, connected to the Dadara in Korea, had appeared both in the Shinsen Shōjiroku and Mokkan wooden relics dating from the 9th century.

Myōkengu Juto-ji Temple (妙見宮鷲頭寺), located in Kudamatsu, is said to have been established by Prince Imseong in the 7th century after his arrival and became the birthplace of the worship of the deity Myōken Daibosatsu (妙見大菩薩).