The Village Japanese Nation Formed

Asuka Village

(Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture)

Asuka Village (明日香村) is situated on the southern edge of the Nara basin, encompassed by rice fields and picturesque landscapes. With a population of merely 5,238 as of 2023, this quaint rural village has a remarkable history. In the 6th and 7th centuries, it thrived as a significant political center where Emperors resided. This unassuming village played a pivotal role in shaping the early Japanese nation.

Ishibutai (石舞台) is a massive stone tumulus, its name comprised of two words: 'Ishi,' meaning stone, and 'Butai,' meaning stage. According to legend, it came to be called 'a stone stage' because a fox taking on the form of a woman danced on its flat top stone. Its exposed stone construction sets it apart from conventional tumuli, which are typically buried beneath layers of soil. This colossal stone is said to be the tomb of Soga no Umako, a figure of power within the palace.

Soga no Umako's historical achievement was ensuring the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. Buddhism was a foreign religion for the people of that time while it is deeply rooted in modern Japanese daily life.

In 538, a Buddhist statue was delivered to the Japanese Emperor from the Korean king, triggering a political dispute in Japan. (Note: For more information about the statue delivered to the Japanese Emperor, please refer to the article.) 

While Soga no Umako supported Buddhism, his political opponents, the Mononobe clan, opposed it due to their involvement in the rituals and ceremonies of ancient Japanese deities.

In 587, the Battle of Teibi erupted as both a religious conflict and a political struggle. Soga no Umako emerged victorious over the Mononobe clan in this battle. The outcome of this war marked the active adoption and integration of Buddhism into politics. Had Umako not won the battle, Buddhism might not have taken root in Japan.

Soga no Umako founded the Asuka-dera Temple, signifying a significant step in the widespread acceptance of Buddhism. This temple was the first comprehensive Buddhist establishment in Japan. The Asuka Great Buddha statue is the oldest known Buddha statue in Japan. Its elongated and angular face embodies a distinctive trait of Buddhist statues from that time.

At the rear of the temple, there stands a tomb dedicated to Soga no Iruka, the grandson of Umako. The influential Soga clan gradually started to disregard the Emperor's authority. Their actions provoked widespread resentment, climaxing in their assassination in front of the Emperor. This incident stands as one of the significant political upheavals in Japan's history. Following this event, the influence of the Soga family waned. The ruins of the palace where the assassination took place have been discovered in this village.