Soga no Umako

Soga no Umako (?-626) was a prominent member of the powerful Soga clan. He worked together with Prince Shōtoku to promote Buddhism in Japan, but his intentions were more practical than religious. The powerful rival clan Mononobe was against the addoption of Buddhism, so Umako supported the new religion with the intention of weakening the rival family.

In 587, Umako succeeded in destroying the Mononobe clan by defeating its leader, Mononobe no Moriya. He then worked with the imperial court, but grew up disatissfied with the Sushun emperor, whom he had assassinated and replaced with empress Suiko. He then supported  Shōtoku Taishin in the adoption of Buddhism and Chinese culture in Japan.

It is believed that his tomb is located in the Ishibutai Kofun in Nara.

Empress Suiko

Empress Suiko (554-7 March 628) was the first reigning empress of the Yamato kingdom. She had Prince Shoutoku act as regent and encouraged the spread of Buddhism in Japan. She resisted the pressures of the powerful families, including Soga no Umako, who made demands of her, and maintained her independence. Part of her reasoning in country-wide adoption of Buddhism was that it would turn Yamato in a peaceful country. To help achieve that, she issued the Flourishing Three Treasures Edict in 594, and due to her support, important temples were erected, such as Shitennō-ji (present day Osaka, oldest officially administered temple in Japan), Asukadera (Nara), and Hōryū-ji (Nara, the pagoda of the temple is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

Shōtoku Taishi

Prince Shōtoku (574-22 February 622) is credited with the promulgation of the first constitution-like document in Japan. His real name is said to have been Umayadono. From an early age he displayed an uncanny intelligence, and there are stories claiming that at seven he had read a hundred sutras, or that he was able to listen to ten people at the same time and answer them in an accurate manner.

At 19 years he became regent for Empress Suiko. Being a devoted Buddhist, he worked to further spread Buddhism in Japan and founded the Hōryū-ji temple in 607.

Important political contributions

• in 603 he established the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System that encouraged personal merit and excellence, as opposed to the previous system of hereditary privileges 

Twelve Level Cap and Rank System table (Wikipedia)

•  in 604, he promulgated the Seventeen Article Constitution that laid down the virtues and moral foundation that were expected from government officials
• in 607, he sent an envoy to the Sui emperor of China and maintained diplomatic relations with the Chinese

Queen Himiko

Queen Himiko (or Pimiko) is a legendary figure that ruled the Yamatai kingdom that was formed in the Yayoi era. At that time, the territory of Japan was comprised of multiple, small countries that constantly fought with each other. The Yamatai kingdom was made up of around 30 such smaller states.

Himiko was popular with the people, and acted as a divine oracle, practicing spells and divination in order to ensure the wellfare of the country. She remained in her palace and never showed herself to the people. Only her younger brother was allowed to see her. He looked after her meals and everyday necessities, and transmitted the words she received from the gods to the people.

The existence of Himiko is documented in Chinese records. In 239, Himiko sent envoys to China and was recognized by the Chinese court as the ruler of Japan.

Himiko is featured in the 2013 Tomb Raider game