Prince Takaoka

• Born: 799
• Died: 865
• Other Names: 真如 (Shinnyo)
• Japanese: 高岳親王 (Takaoka shinnou)

Prince Takaoka was an Imperial prince and Shingon Buddhist monk, also known by his monastic name, Shinnyo. He is known for his attempt to journey to India, though he sadly died along the way, at age 66, in 865, somewhere near modern-day Singapore.

Though he was unsuccessful, of those Japanese who attempted to travel to India prior to the 16th century, he may have made it the farthest.

References

• Fabio Rambelli, "The Idea of India (Tenjiku) in Pre-Modern Japan: Issues of Signification and Representation in the Buddhist Translation of Cultures," (source unknown), 242.