Fujiwara no Kamatari
| Fujiwara no Kamatari | |
|---|---|
An illustration of Fujiwara no Kamatari by Kikuchi Yōsai
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| Native name | 藤原 鎌足 |
| Born |
Nakatomi no Kamatari 614 |
| Died | November 14, 669 |
| Known for | Founder of the Fujiwara clan, launched the Taika Reform of 645 with Naka no Ōe (later Emperor Tenji) |
| Notable work | Poems in the Man'yōshū and Kakyō Hyōshiki |
| Opponent(s) | Soga clan |
| Spouse(s) | Kagami no Ōkimi |
| Children | Jōe, Fujiwara no Fuhito, Hikami no Ōtoji, Ōhara no Ōtoji, Mimi no Toji |
| Parent(s) | Nakatomi no Mikeko, |
Fujiwara no Kamatari (藤原 鎌足, 614 – November 14, 669) was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Asuka period (538 – 710). Kamatari was born to the Nakatomi clan and became the founder of the Fujiwara clan. He, along with the Mononobe clan, was a supporter of Shinto and fought the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. The Soga clan, defenders of Buddhism in the Asuka period, defeated Kamatari and the Mononobe clan and Buddhism became the dominant religion of the imperial court. Kamatari, along with Prince Naka no Ōe, later Emperor Tenji (626 – 672), launched the Taika Reform of 645, which centralized and strengthened the central government. Just before his death he received the honorific of Taishōkan (or Daishokukan) and the surname Fujiwara from the Emperor Tenji, thus establishing the Fujiwara clan.
He was born to the Nakatomi clan, was the son of Nakatomi no Mikeko, and named Nakatomi no Kamatari (中臣 鎌足) at birth. He was a friend and supporter of the Prince Naka no Ōe, later Emperor Tenji. Kamatari was the head of the Jingi no Haku, or Shinto ritualists; as such, he was one of the chief opponents of the increasing power and prevalence of Buddhism in the court, and in the nation. As a result, in 645, Prince Naka no Ōe and Kamatari made a coup d'état in the court. They slew Soga no Iruka who had a strong influence over Empress Kōgyoku; thereafter, Iruka's father, Soga no Emishi, committed suicide.
Empress Kōgyoku was forced to abdicate in favor of her younger brother, who became Emperor Kōtoku; Kōtoku then appointed Kamatari naidaijin (内大臣, Inner Minister).
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