Historical sources about Shotoku Taishi include "Nihonshoki" (Vol. 22, Suikoki), 'Sangyo Gisho,' 'Tenjukoku Shucho' (Tenjukoku Mandala Shucho), 'The halo inscription of the statue of Yakushi Zo in Horyu-ji Temple,' 'The halo inscription of the statue of Shaka Sanson Zo in Horyu-ji Temple,' 'The text written in sumi inside the pedestal of the statue of Shaka Sanson Zo in Horyu-ji Temple,' 'Dogo yuokahimeibun (=Iyo yuokahibun, recorded in the Iyo no Kuni Fudoki Itsubun)', 'Hokijito Robanmei,' "Joguki," and "Jogu Shotoku Hoo Teisetsu."
聖徳太子については『日本書紀（巻22推古紀）』、「三経義疏」、「天寿国繍帳（天寿国曼荼羅繍帳）」、「法隆寺薬師像光背銘文」、「法隆寺釈迦三尊像光背銘文」、「法隆寺釈迦三尊像台座内墨書」、「道後湯岡碑銘文（＝伊予湯岡碑文、伊予国風土記逸文に記録。）」、「法起寺塔露盤銘」、『上宮記』、『上宮聖徳法王帝説』などの歴史的資料がある。