The Assassination of Soga no Iruka

Murder in the Imperial Court

The main branch of the aristocratic Soga clan became extinct when Soga no Iruka was assassinated in front of the Empress on July 10, 645.

The Soga clan is believed to have been founded by Soga no Ishikawa, a great-grandson of Emperor Kogen (273 BC – 158 BC, supposedly having lived 115 years!) The Soga were one of the most powerful of the aristocratic clans, having great influence over politics, the spread of Buddhism, and through marital connections, control of the Imperial house. In this way the Soga clan are responsible for having increased the symbolic and spiritual power of the Emperor while unifying — and in turn — strengthening the country as they handled secular matters.