The succession struggle turned violent after Ōomi Soga no Umako and Ōmuraji Motonobe no Moriya exchanged insults at the temporary interment ceremony for Emperor Bidatsu.
The Soga–Mononobe conflict resurfaced during the succession crisis following Yomei's death, with the Soga once again victorious at the Battle of Mount Shigi, solidifying the clan's influential position at the imperial court.
[2][A] Between July 1 and 2 the Soga are said to have been defeated in a series of engagements with the Mononobe,[2] who, according to the Nihon Shoki, employed a type of fortification called an inaki, a palisade constructed from bundles of rice plants.
[2] Legend has it that at this point Prince Shōtoku of the Soga cut down a sacred nuride tree, fashioned it into an image of the Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism, and placed it on his forehead.
Shōtoku and Soga no Umako then both openly vowed to build a temple to the Four Heavenly Kings should they be victorious in the battle, which reenergized their men prior to the final confrontation.