Yamato:

 

Japan was first controlled by different clans and it was divided up into territories. The people of these clans believed in thousands of gods, which later, these customs combined to form a religion called Shinto meaning the way of the god. The Yamato was the first clan to arise in Japan as a leading clan in 400-794. The clan Yamato claimed that they were a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu. They soon claimed to be the emperors of Japan. The Yamato leaders didn’t have much real power but the dynasty was never overthrown. When fighting rival clans, if they were victorious, they would claim emperor until they could be beaten. This fighting structure became a notable characteristic of the early Japanese government. (Perry)