was one of the most powerful clans of the
Asuka period of the early Japanese state - the
Yamato polity - and played a major role in the spread of
Buddhism. Through the 5th and 7th centuries, the Soga monopolized the
kabane or hereditary rank of Great
Omi and was the first of many families to dominate the
Imperial House of Japan by influencing the order of succession and government policy.