In 672, Prince Oama (later Emperor Tenmu) left then capital Otsu and lived away from the world in Mt. Yoshino to enter the priesthood, but after being informed of the death of his older brother Emperor Tenchi, he fled to Mino where he raised an army, and came into power by destroying the Emperor Kobun, a son of the Emperor Tenchi.
672年大海人皇子（のちの天武天皇）は、当時の大津の都を離れて出家して吉野山に隠棲したが、兄の天智天皇の死の知らせを受けて美濃へ脱出し兵を上げ、天智天皇の子の弘文天皇を倒して政権を握った。