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Soga no Umako

Type Figure Region Japan Time c. 551–626 Also known as 蘇我馬子、Soga no Umako

Soga no Umako (c. 551–626) was the most powerful clan leader of Japan's Asuka period, head of the Soga clan and minister, who destroyed the Mononobe …

Timeline

  1. c. 551–587Asuka region, Yamato Province · Yamato ProvinceInherited his father Soga no Iname's position as head of the Soga clan and served as minister, clashing fiercely with the Shinto-supporting Mononobe clan over whether to accept Buddhism. He actively supported Buddhism's rooting in Japan, building the Shitennō-ji (predecessor of Hōkō-ji) at his private residence and enshrining Buddhist statues and monks brought from Baekje.
  2. 587–593Asuka region, Yamato Province · Yamato ProvinceIn 587 he allied with the imperial house to destroy Mononobe no Moriya in the Dingsi Rebellion, eliminating the main opposition to Buddhism and taking sole control of government. In 592 he had Emperor Sushun assassinated, then installed his niece Toyo-no-ikagaya-hime (Empress Suiko), establishing Soga supremacy over the imperial house.
  3. 593–626Asuka region, Yamato Province · Yamato ProvinceTogether with Prince Shōtoku he supported Empress Suiko, backing the Twelve Level Cap and Rank system, missions to the Sui, and the construction of major temples such as Hōryū-ji. After his death in 626, Soga power continued under his descendants until the Taika Reform of 645, when Soga no Iruka was killed and the main line extinguished.

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