Japan history (1) – Where does power come from?

1/ Taika Reform

Year 645

Power established by killing opponents (Isshi incident).

Emperor Kōtoku 孝徳天皇

Then the reform divided Japan into 66 “provinces”, the head of which may come from head of powerful families / clans.

Basically, before the reform, each powerful family may behave like its own king, but now the whole Japan only has 1 super / centralized Emperor.

Land is nationalized and taxed.

Emperor will over time focus more on religious work, thus getting power as decedents of God.