Said to have been born as a son of Soga no Iname. His birth year is often placed around 551 from age notes in later chronicles, but accounts differ and no sure record survives. His father was a powerful minister who advanced the acceptance of Buddhism.
Under Emperor Bidatsu he became ōomi, succeeding his father as head of the Soga. His sister Kitashihime was a consort of Emperor Kinmei and mother of the later Empress Suiko. As maternal kin he tied himself closely to the royal house and took real power.
He deeply believed in Buddhism from Baekje, built temples and spread the faith. Mononobe no Moriya and others prized the old gods and, blaming plague on Buddhism, destroyed images and temples. Faith and politics intertwined, and the Soga-Mononobe feud deepened.
After Emperor Yomei, he fought Moriya over the throne and faith. With Prince Umayado (Shotoku) and others he defeated Moriya and broke Mononobe power. Thereafter the Soga held almost unmatched strength at court.
The Nihon Shoki says Emperor Sushun clashed with Umako and was killed. Umako raised Empress Suiko and, with Prince Umayado as regent, governed together. Accounts of the affair differ, and later chronicle wording must be read with care.
Under Suiko the Twelve Cap Ranks were set. Rank was given by ability and merit, not only by clan name; Umako and Prince Umayado are said to have led the reform. It was a step to curb clan power and order the court.
Prince Umayado is said to have issued the Seventeen-Article Constitution. It set out ruler-subject order, Buddhist and Confucian teachings, and officials' duties. As ōomi, Umako backed the reform and was a central figure in Asuka politics.
Envoys such as Ono no Imoko were sent to Sui China, aiming to engage the great unified dynasty and learn its institutions and culture. Umako took part in steering diplomacy, seeking to keep Japan's place amid East Asian upheaval.
He is said to have dug a pond with an island at his Asuka residence and was called the Island Minister. He also promoted temples such as Asukadera (Hoko-ji) as symbols of faith and authority. His life shows how private clan power and public rule overlapped.
In Suiko's 34th year Umako died. The Ishibutai Kofun in Asuka, Nara, is often taken as his tomb, though this is not proven. His son Emishi succeeded as ōomi; with grandson Iruka their power grew, but the Soga main line later fell in the Isshi Incident.
Prince ShōtokuNakatomi no Kamatari (Fujiwara no Kamatari)Prince Naka no Ōe (Emperor Tenji)Empress Jitō
People of the Asuka period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.