Mononobe clan
Encyclopedia
The was a Japanese clan of the Kofun period
, known for its military opposition to the Soga clan
. The Mononobe were opposed to the spread of Buddhism
, not on religious grounds, but more so as the result of feelings of conservatism
and a degree of xenophobia. The Nakatomi clan
, ancestors of the Fujiwara, were allies with the Mononobe in this.
The Mononobe, like many other major families of the time, were something of a corporation or guild in addition to being a proper family by blood-relation. While the only members of the clan to appear in any significant way in the historical record were statesmen, the clan as a whole was known as the Corporation of Arms or Armorers.
.
In the 6th century, a number of violent clashes erupted between the Mononobe and the Soga clan. According to the Nihon Shoki
, one particularly important conflict occurred after the Emperor Yōmei
died after a very short reign. Mononobe no Moriya
, the head of the clan, supported one prince to succeed Yōmei, while Soga no Umako
chose another. The conflict came to a head in a battle at Kisuri (present-day Osaka) in the year 587
, where the Mononobe clan were defeated and crushed. Following Moriya's death, Buddhism has seen the further spread in Japan.Read more in the article on Mononobe no Moriya
for recent findings on a possible sponsorship for Buddhism by the Mononobe.
In 686
, the Mononobe reformed as the Isonokami clan, named thus due to their close ties with Isonokami Shrine
, a Shinto shrine which doubled as an armory
.
Kofun period
The is an era in the history of Japan from around 250 to 538. It follows the Yayoi period. The word kofun is Japanese for the type of burial mounds dating from this era. The Kofun and the subsequent Asuka periods are sometimes referred to collectively as the Yamato period...
, known for its military opposition to the Soga clan
Soga clan
The was one of the most powerful clans in Yamato Japan and played a major role in the spread of Buddhism. For many generations, in the 5th and 7th centuries, the Soga monopolized the position of Great Royal Chieftain and was the first of many families to dominate the Imperial House of Japan by...
. The Mononobe were opposed to the spread of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, not on religious grounds, but more so as the result of feelings of conservatism
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
and a degree of xenophobia. The Nakatomi clan
Nakatomi clan
The Nakatomi clan was an influential clan in Classical Japan. Along with the Inbe clan, the Nakatomi were one of two priestly clans which oversaw certain important national rites, and one of many to claim descent from divine clan ancestors "only a degree less sublime than the imperial ancestors"...
, ancestors of the Fujiwara, were allies with the Mononobe in this.
The Mononobe, like many other major families of the time, were something of a corporation or guild in addition to being a proper family by blood-relation. While the only members of the clan to appear in any significant way in the historical record were statesmen, the clan as a whole was known as the Corporation of Arms or Armorers.
History
The Mononobe were said to have been founded by Prince Inishiki, the eldest son of Emperor SuininEmperor Suinin
; also known as Ikumeiribikoisachi no Mikoto; was the 11th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 29 BC–AD 70....
.
In the 6th century, a number of violent clashes erupted between the Mononobe and the Soga clan. According to the Nihon Shoki
Nihon Shoki
The , sometimes translated as The Chronicles of Japan, is the second oldest book of classical Japanese history. It is more elaborate and detailed than the Kojiki, the oldest, and has proven to be an important tool for historians and archaeologists as it includes the most complete extant historical...
, one particularly important conflict occurred after the Emperor Yōmei
Emperor Yomei
was the 31st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Yōmei's reign spanned the years from 585 until his death in 587.-Traditional narrative:...
died after a very short reign. Mononobe no Moriya
Mononobe no Moriya
was an Ō-muraji, a high-ranking clan head position of the ancient Japanese Yamato state, having inherited the position from his father Mononobe no Okoshi...
, the head of the clan, supported one prince to succeed Yōmei, while Soga no Umako
Soga no Umako
was the son of Soga no Iname and a member of the powerful Soga clan of Japan.Umako conducted political reforms with Prince Shōtoku during the rules of Emperor Bidatsu and Empress Suiko and established the Soga clan's stronghold in the government by having his daughter married with members of the...
chose another. The conflict came to a head in a battle at Kisuri (present-day Osaka) in the year 587
587
Year 587 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 587 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Sledda becomes king of Essex.* Guntram,...
, where the Mononobe clan were defeated and crushed. Following Moriya's death, Buddhism has seen the further spread in Japan.Read more in the article on Mononobe no Moriya
Mononobe no Moriya
was an Ō-muraji, a high-ranking clan head position of the ancient Japanese Yamato state, having inherited the position from his father Mononobe no Okoshi...
for recent findings on a possible sponsorship for Buddhism by the Mononobe.
In 686
686
Year 686 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 686 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* The Kingdom of Kent is attacked and...
, the Mononobe reformed as the Isonokami clan, named thus due to their close ties with Isonokami Shrine
Isonokami Shrine
is a Shinto shrine located in the hills of Tenri in Nara prefecture, Japan. It is one of the oldest extant Shinto shrines in Japan and has housed several significant artifacts....
, a Shinto shrine which doubled as an armory
Armory (military)
An armory or armoury is a place where arms and ammunition are made, maintained and repaired, stored, issued to authorized users, or any combination of those...
.