In a dramatic power struggle during the Asuka period, Prince Naka-no-Ōe and Fujiwara no Kamatari orchestrated the assassination of Soga no Iruka within the imperial palace in Nara, Japan. The Soga clan had amassed considerable influence in the imperial court, effectively controlling succession and inter-clan relations. They were key supporters of Buddhism, which was a contentious issue among traditionalists favoring Shinto practices. Background tensions arose as Naka-no-Ōe held concerns over the Soga's dominance, fearing it threatened the legitimacy of the imperial lineage. The assassination took place amid growing dissatisfaction with the Soga's power, as various factions vied for control and influence over the young Emperor Kōtoku.The coup was meticulously planned, with Kamatari and Naka-no-Ōe ensuring their attack would be both swift and decisive. After neutralizing Soga no Iruka, they emerged victorious, leading to the dismantling of much of the Soga's political and military influence. Following this event, Naka-no-Ōe would later ascend to the throne as Emperor Tenji, initiating a series of political reforms and shifts away from the entrenched authority of the Soga clan, fostering the rise of the Fujiwara family's political stature in the years to come. This incident remains a critical turning point in the transitional organization of the Japanese imperial government.