An Edo-period picture scroll by Sumiyoshi Gukei showing the killing of Soga no Iruka at the Japanese courtImage: Gukei Sumiyoshi · Public domainA palace coup ends the power of the Soga clan in Japan
For half a century the Soga family had been the real power behind the Japanese throne. They had championed Buddhism, married their daughters into the imperial line and chosen which princes would rule. Soga no Iruka pushed this further than anyone. In 643 he had the popular Prince Yamashiro no Ōe, a possible heir, attacked and driven to his death, and many at court came to see the Soga as a threat to the dynasty itself. Prince Naka no Ōe and the courtier Nakatomi no Kamatari plotted to strike where Iruka had no guards: at court. On 10 July 645 the attack began in the palace, and when the hired assassins hesitated, the prince himself cut Iruka down. His father Emishi died the next day, and the main Soga line was finished. The plotters went on to launch the Taika reforms, which modelled Japan’s government on Tang China and strengthened the emperor. The prince later reigned as Emperor Tenji, and Kamatari’s descendants became the Fujiwara, the most powerful family in Japan for centuries.
Source: Britannica: Soga Iruka ↗
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