Changes

In the aftermath of the first invasion, efforts were made to shore up defenses on the western and northern coasts of Kyushu, both in terms of expanding and strengthening earthwork and stone fortifications and in terms of increasing the number of warriors in each garrison. Fortifications were established at Hakata, and the punishments for avoiding military service were made more severe.

In the aftermath of the first invasion, efforts were made to shore up defenses on the western and northern coasts of Kyushu, both in terms of expanding and strengthening earthwork and stone fortifications and in terms of increasing the number of warriors in each garrison. Fortifications were established at Hakata, and the punishments for avoiding military service were made more severe.

The shogunate devoted much attention and efforts to these defenses, excusing its retainers in that portion of the archipelago from local garrison duty as part of the ''[[Oban|Ôban]]'', and adopting policies of frugality for both the shogunate and [[kuge|Imperial Court]], in order to make more funds available for the defensive efforts.

The shogunate devoted much attention and efforts to these defenses, excusing its retainers in that portion of the archipelago from local garrison duty as part of the ''Ôban'', and adopting policies of frugality for both the shogunate and [[kuge|Imperial Court]], in order to make more funds available for the defensive efforts.

The notion of switching from the defensive to the offensive, attacking Mongol bases and ships, was considered as well, a great amount of forces having been assembled in and around Hakata. It was eventually decided that the gathered forces, and the various funds and resources backing them, could not support both offensive and defensive strategies, and attentions were focused once more on fortifications, coastal ships and other defenses.

The notion of switching from the defensive to the offensive, attacking Mongol bases and ships, was considered as well, a great amount of forces having been assembled in and around Hakata. It was eventually decided that the gathered forces, and the various funds and resources backing them, could not support both offensive and defensive strategies, and attentions were focused once more on fortifications, coastal ships and other defenses.