Changes

Envoys of Kublai Khan delivered a formal message from the Khan to the shogunate's regional Kyushu headquarters in [[Dazaifu]] in [[1268]], commanding Japan to submit or be invaded; the missive was passed on to [[Kamakura]] and [[Kyoto]], but was ultimately ignored. Following the reception of another message to the same effect in [[1271]], the [[Kamakura shogunate]] ordered Dazaifu, along with all the ''[[shugo]]'' and ''[[jito|jitô]]'', to begin strengthening defenses. Samurai from Kyushu who were residing in Kamakura were returned to the island, and a number of the shogun's own direct retainers (''[[kenin]]'') began journeying towards Kyushu as well, along with a sizeable army.

Envoys of Kublai Khan delivered a formal message from the Khan to the shogunate's regional Kyushu headquarters in [[Dazaifu]] in [[1268]], commanding Japan to submit or be invaded; the missive was passed on to [[Kamakura]] and [[Kyoto]], but was ultimately ignored. Following the reception of another message to the same effect in [[1271]], the [[Kamakura shogunate]] ordered Dazaifu, along with all the ''[[shugo]]'' and ''[[jito|jitô]]'', to begin strengthening defenses. Samurai from Kyushu who were residing in Kamakura were returned to the island, and a number of the shogun's own direct retainers (''[[kenin]]'') began journeying towards Kyushu as well, along with a sizeable army.

==Battle of Bun'ei==

==Battle of Bun'ei==

A Mongol ambassador arrived in Dazaifu in late 1272, and was rejected and expelled on the orders of the shogunate. The Mongol fleet arrived soon afterwards, seizing [[Tsushima]] and [[Ikishima]] with little difficulty; a detachment was sent to take the port of [[Hirado]], while the bulk of the fleet landed at [[Hakata]], on the north shore of Kyushu, a short distance from Dazaifu, on the 19th day of the 10th month of Bun'ei 11 (1274). Messengers were immediately sent out, sounding the alarm of the invasion, and the gathered forces across Kyushu moved towards the port city. Pontoons were laid across the Chikugo River to allow forces from the southern provinces of the island to travel more quickly.

A Mongol ambassador arrived in Dazaifu in late 1272, and was rejected and expelled on the orders of the shogunate. The Mongol fleet arrived soon afterwards, seizing [[Tsushima]] and [[Ikishima]] with little difficulty; a detachment was sent to take the port of [[Hirado]], while the bulk of the fleet landed at [[Hakata]], on the north shore of Kyushu, a short distance from Dazaifu, on the 19th day of the 10th month of Bun'ei 11 (1274). Messengers were immediately sent out, sounding the alarm of the invasion, and the gathered forces across Kyushu moved towards the port city. Pontoons were laid across the Chikugo River to allow forces from the southern provinces of the island to travel more quickly.