Soga no Umako

Soga no Umako ( _ja. 蘇我馬子; 551? - June 19, 626 [June 19, 626 corresponds to the Twentieth Day of the Fifth Month of 626 (Heibo) of the traditional lunisolar calendar used in Japan until 1873] ), the son of Soga no Iname and the strongest member of Soga clan of Japan, conducted political reforms with Prince Shotoku during the rules of Emperor Bidatsu and Empress Suiko, and established Soga clan's stronghold in the government by having his daughter married with members of the royal family. In the late 6th century, when Korean states power stronger than Japan's power, Soga no Umako went to great lengths to promote Buddhism in Japan. At that time, the Soga Family restructured the domestic ruling system which knowledge and knowhow of Korean immigrants to rule the country. Soga no Umako, who made the acceptance of Buddhism, destroyed Mononobe no Moriya and his family, which led to Soga dominance. [http://www.kiis.or.jp/rekishi/history-e.html] According to Nihongi and the Suiko section of Fusō-ryakuki (compiled by the monk Kōen during the early thirteenth century), the records say that, on January 15, 593, when relics of Buddha were deposited inside the foundation stone under the pillar of a pagoda at Asuka-dera, the Great Minister Soga Umako, together with hundred people, had appeared wearing Paekche clothes, and the spectators were very much delighted.

Ishibutai Kofun is believed to be the tomb of Soga no Umako.

Notes