He was assassinated in Daigoku-den Hall of Asuka Itabuki no Miya Palace in front of Emperor Kogyoku by FUJIWARA no Kamatari and his rivals in succession to the Imperial Throne, such as Prince Naka no Oe no Oji (later Emperor Tenchi), who was Prince Furuhito no Oe no Miko's younger brother with a different mother, that is, by the coup d'Etat of Isshi no hen (the Murder in the Year of Isshi).
古人大兄皇子の異母弟で、皇位継承のライバルだった中大兄皇子（後の天智天皇）・藤原鎌足らのいわゆる乙巳の変のクーデターによって、飛鳥板蓋宮の大極殿において皇極天皇の御前で暗殺された。