Changes

==History==

==History==

===Ancient and Classical Periods===

===Ancient Periods===

Though far from the major historical political, economic, and cultural centers of [[Kansai]] and [[Kanto|Kantô]], as the part of the archipelago closest to the Asian mainland, Kyushu features prominently throughout history in Japan's interactions with the outside world. At their closest point, Kyushu and Korea are about six times as far away as Britain is from France; this has allowed considerable exchange and interaction over the centuries, but also protection from mainland invaders.<ref>[[Albert M. Craig]], ''The Heritage of Japanese Civilization'', Second Edition, Prentice Hall (2011), 2.</ref>

Though far from the major historical political, economic, and cultural centers of [[Kansai]] and [[Kanto|Kantô]], as the part of the archipelago closest to the Asian mainland, Kyushu features prominently throughout history in Japan's interactions with the outside world. At their closest point, Kyushu and Korea are about six times as far away as Britain is from France; this has allowed considerable exchange and interaction over the centuries, but also protection from mainland invaders.<ref>[[Albert M. Craig]], ''The Heritage of Japanese Civilization'', Second Edition, Prentice Hall (2011), 2.</ref>

Kyushu is generally said to have been the site of the earliest state formation in the Japanese archipelago. Though the origins and identity of the [[Yayoi people]] remain very much subjects of debate, it is widely accepted that prior to the establishment of a proto-Japanese state on the [[Yamato province|Yamato]] plain in central [[Honshu]], the Yayoi clans became organized on Kyushu. Small tribal communities formed confederations, and engaged in trade and relations with societies on the [[Ryukyu Islands]], Korean peninsula, and in China. Among the more powerful, or at least more famous today, was a confederation known as [[Yamatai]], ruled for a time by Queen [[Himiko]].

Kyushu is generally said to have been the site of the earliest state formation in the Japanese archipelago. Though the origins and identity of the [[Yayoi people]] remain very much subjects of debate, it is widely accepted that prior to the establishment of a proto-Japanese state on the [[Yamato province|Yamato]] plain in central [[Honshu]], the Yayoi clans became organized on Kyushu, pushing out or competing with other groups, such as the [[Hayato]] (隼人). Small tribal communities formed confederations, and engaged in trade and relations with societies on the [[Ryukyu Islands]], Korean peninsula, and in China. Among the more powerful, or at least more famous today, was a confederation known as [[Yamatai]], ruled for a time by Queen [[Himiko]].

Kyushu remained a site of great political and economic importance into the [[Yamato period]], as the center on Honshu solidified and a unified [[Yamato]] state emerged.

Kyushu remained a site of great political and economic importance into the [[Yamato period]], as the center on Honshu solidified and a unified [[Yamato]] state emerged.

The Yamato state engaged in active trade and diplomatic relations with the various kingdoms of the Korean peninsula, primarily through locations on Kyushu, and through the islands of [[Tsushima]] and [[Ikishima|Iki]]. In the 660s, plans were made to invade the Korean kingdom of [[Silla]], which was hostile to [[Paekche]] and the [[Gaya Confederacy]] (Mimana), Yamato allies. These plans were scrapped, the invasion never undertaken, but as a result of Yamato fears of Chinese or Korean attacks, a more organized defense was established for Kyushu, centrally managed by an administrative headquarters at [[Dazaifu]], just outside what is today the city of [[Fukuoka]].

The Yamato state engaged in active trade and diplomatic relations with the various kingdoms of the Korean peninsula, primarily through locations on Kyushu, and through the islands of [[Tsushima]] and [[Ikishima|Iki]]. In the 660s, plans were made to invade the Korean kingdom of [[Silla]], which was hostile to [[Paekche]] and the [[Gaya Confederacy]] (Mimana), Yamato allies. These plans were scrapped, the invasion never undertaken, but as a result of Yamato fears of Chinese or Korean attacks, a more organized defense was established for Kyushu, centrally managed by an administrative headquarters at [[Dazaifu]], just outside what is today the city of [[Fukuoka]].

===Kamakura period===

===Kamakura period===

Dazaifu would remain the central headquarters for the defense and administration of Kyushu for centuries. At the beginning of the [[Kamakura period]] (1185-1333), the position of ''[[Chinzei bugyo|Chinzei bugyô]]''<ref>"Chinzei" (鎮西) is an alternate name for Kyushu. The position was also referred to as ''Chinzei Shugo'' and in later times ''Chinzei Tandai'' or ''Kyûshû Tandai''.</ref> was established. The first ''Chinzei bugyô'' was a samurai by the name of [[Amano Tokage|Amano Tôkage]], appointed in 1186 to oversee the pursuit and elimination of support for the shogun's brother [[Minamoto no Yoshitsune]]. However, the position soon came to be that of the chief officer of Dazaifu; all orders from the shogunate in [[Kamakura]] regarding Kyushu would pass through this headquarters. It is believed that this system came about in part because the shogunate could not rely upon the local lords of Kyushu to follow orders directly without the intermediation of a more direct local presence and authority, in the form of the Dazaifu government.

 

Meanwhile, in northern Kyushu, Dazaifu would remain the central headquarters for the defense and administration of the entire island for centuries. At the beginning of the [[Kamakura period]] (1185-1333), the position of ''[[Chinzei bugyo|Chinzei bugyô]]''<ref>"Chinzei" (鎮西) is an alternate name for Kyushu. The position was also referred to as ''Chinzei Shugo'' and in later times ''Chinzei Tandai'' or ''Kyûshû Tandai''.</ref> was established. The first ''Chinzei bugyô'' was a samurai by the name of [[Amano Tokage|Amano Tôkage]], appointed in 1186 to oversee the pursuit and elimination of support for the shogun's brother [[Minamoto no Yoshitsune]]. However, the position soon came to be that of the chief officer of Dazaifu; all orders from the shogunate in [[Kamakura]] regarding Kyushu would pass through this headquarters. It is believed that this system came about in part because the shogunate could not rely upon the local lords of Kyushu to follow orders directly without the intermediation of a more direct local presence and authority, in the form of the Dazaifu government.

The ''Chinzei bugyô'' thus oversaw the administration and defense of all of Kyushu, along with Ikishima and Tsushima. Under him were the ''[[Daini]]'' and ''[[Shoni|Shôni]]'', which Sansom translates as Senior and Junior Assistant. The post of ''Shôni'' came to be held hereditarily by members of the Muto branch of the [[Fujiwara clan]], who later came to call themselves the [[Shoni clan|Shôni clan]] and to wield significant influence in the region.

The ''Chinzei bugyô'' thus oversaw the administration and defense of all of Kyushu, along with Ikishima and Tsushima. Under him were the ''[[Daini]]'' and ''[[Shoni|Shôni]]'', which Sansom translates as Senior and Junior Assistant. The post of ''Shôni'' came to be held hereditarily by members of the Muto branch of the [[Fujiwara clan]], who later came to call themselves the [[Shoni clan|Shôni clan]] and to wield significant influence in the region.

The Dazaifu headquarters would play a crucial role in the Japanese defense against the [[Mongol invasions]] of [[1274]] and [[1281]]. Forces from all across the archipelago were organized under the command of [[Dazai]] [[Shoni Tsunetsugu|Shôni Tsunetsugu]]. After the first invasion was repelled with the help of a storm which destroyed roughly one-third of the invading force, efforts were made to step up defenses, and a series of walls and fortresses were constructed along the island's northern coast. The Mongol forces were repelled once again in 1281, as samurai made night attacks on the Mongol fleet and refused the invaders a beachhead; much of the Mongol fleet was destroyed in a storm which has come to be known as ''[[kamikaze]]'' (divine wind), and the invasion was called off.

The Dazaifu headquarters would play a crucial role in the Japanese defense against the [[Mongol invasions]] of [[1274]] and [[1281]]. Forces from all across the archipelago were organized under the command of [[Dazai]] [[Shoni Tsunetsugu|Shôni Tsunetsugu]]. After the first invasion was repelled with the help of a storm which destroyed roughly one-third of the invading force, efforts were made to step up defenses, and a series of walls and fortresses were constructed along the island's northern coast. The Mongol forces were repelled once again in 1281, as samurai made night attacks on the Mongol fleet and refused the invaders a beachhead; much of the Mongol fleet was destroyed in a storm which has come to be known as ''[[kamikaze]]'' (divine wind), and the invasion was called off.

Kyushu remained on high alert for some time after, into the 14th century, fearing a third Mongol invasion which never came. The samurai of the island began to ask for compensation for their extensive efforts, and their losses, in repelling the invasions, but the ''bakufu'' had nothing to offer. They were instead told to apply to the ''[[shugo]]'' of the nine provinces, who included members of the [[Shimazu clan|Shimazu]], [[Shibuya clan|Shibuya]], [[Shoni clan|Shôni]] and [[Otomo clan|Ôtomo clans]]. Finally, in [[1294]], the ''bakufu'' declared that the question of rewards or compensation for service in repelling the Mongol invasions closed.

Kyushu remained on high alert for some time after, into the 14th century, fearing a third Mongol invasion which never came. The samurai of the island began to ask for compensation for their extensive efforts, and their losses, in repelling the invasions, but the ''bakufu'' had nothing to offer. They were instead told to apply to the ''[[shugo]]'' of the nine provinces, who included members of the Shimazu, Shibuya, [[Shoni clan|Shôni]] and [[Otomo clan|Ôtomo clans]]. Finally, in [[1294]], the ''bakufu'' declared that the question of rewards or compensation for service in repelling the Mongol invasions closed. By this time, the Shimazu had gained considerable power for themselves. Whereas previously they and most other ''jitô'' and ''shugo'' clans remained based in Kamakura and appointed ''[[daikan]]'' to manage their lands for them, following the Mongol invasions, many of these clans relocated to their territories in Kyushu (and in the case of other clans, elsewhere in the archipelago), where they seized more direct control over their lands, fought off rivals militarily and politically, and consolidated their power.<ref name=reimei/>

===Muromachi and Sengoku periods===

===Muromachi and Sengoku periods===

The Tandai continued, however, to wield little real power in comparison to that of the local lords, particularly the Shimazu, who remained largely outside of the control of the shogunate. What little authority the Tandai did wield dwindled and faded after 1400.

The Tandai continued, however, to wield little real power in comparison to that of the local lords, particularly the Shimazu, who remained largely outside of the control of the shogunate. What little authority the Tandai did wield dwindled and faded after 1400.

*contact with Europe, guns, Christians

*contact with Europe, guns, Christians