Fujiwara no Kamatari

Fujiwara no Kamatari (614–669), born Nakatomi no Kamatari, was the founder of the Fujiwara clan. He refused appointment as a ritual official and plotted against the Soga regime; in 645 he joined Prince Naka no Oe in a coup that killed Soga no Iruka and forced his father Emishi to suicide, launching the Taika Reform.

As Inner Minister he helped build a Chinese-style centralized state. Shortly before his death in 669, Emperor Tenji granted him the surname Fujiwara and the highest rank Taishokan. His son Fuhito carried on the house.