Jinshin War - The War

The War

After the Emperor's death, Prince Ōtomo began the administration activities as an Emperor. Soga no Akae (蘇我赤兄), Soga no Hatayasu (蘇我果安), Kose no Omi Hito (巨勢臣比等), Ki no Ushi (紀大人) and other subjects followed him.

On the other hand, Prince Ōama pretended to be a monk at the temple in Yoshino, but he was looking for a chance to rise a rebellion against Ōtomo and to drive him away. He secretly collected weapons and soldiers to prepare for the coup-d'etat. In the seventh month of 672, he departed Yoshino and headed for the Palace in Ōtsu where the new Emperor Ōtomo was.

Many difficulties stood in his troops' way: in some counties guerrilla attacks stopped them for many days. Every time they have such difficulties, they fought bravely and patiently against the enemies and took their supporters in their side.

The war lasted about a month. After a desperate struggle, Ōama gained the capital. Ōtomo got out of the palace and escaped to the Mt. Nagara near the Palace, where he strangled himself to death. The subjects who supported him were arrested by Ōama's troops and punished as war criminals.

The winner, Prince Ōama, burnt the capital down and returned to Asuka, where he built Asuka-Kiyomihara Palace. married with Empress Uno-Sarara.