Changes

Like the [[Heian Imperial Palace|Imperial Palace]], aristocratic mansions, and many other elite sites of the [[Nara period|Nara]] and Heian periods, the Dazaifu compound was oriented towards the south. The main gate to the south, a large red wooden structure, was used to receive foreign embassies and other important visitors, while a small door in the ''tsujibei'' walls off to the sides of the gate were used by the Dazaifu officials for their everyday comings and goings. This Southern Gate (南門, ''nanmon''), along with the Central Gate (中門, ''chûmon''), were the first to be excavated, in 1968. Examining the foundation stones, it was determined that these gates dated to the Heian period, and must have replaced earlier Nara period structures.

Like the [[Heian Imperial Palace|Imperial Palace]], aristocratic mansions, and many other elite sites of the [[Nara period|Nara]] and Heian periods, the Dazaifu compound was oriented towards the south. The main gate to the south, a large red wooden structure, was used to receive foreign embassies and other important visitors, while a small door in the ''tsujibei'' walls off to the sides of the gate were used by the Dazaifu officials for their everyday comings and goings. This Southern Gate (南門, ''nanmon''), along with the Central Gate (中門, ''chûmon''), were the first to be excavated, in 1968. Examining the foundation stones, it was determined that these gates dated to the Heian period, and must have replaced earlier Nara period structures.

The Main Hall, or ''Seiden'' (正殿), of the Dazaifu government complex was where the head of the Dazaifu government, known as a ''[[sochi]]'' (帥), governed from. Various rituals and ceremonies were performed here, and it housed the ''sochi's'' personal office as well. Functioning like a miniature version of the central government in Kyoto, Dazaifu supervised and controlled the various provinces of Kyushu. It is thought that, just like in the New Year's celebrations in the Imperial Capital, on New Year's, the various officials (国司 , ''[[kokushi]]'') of Kyushu would gather for ceremonies in the Seiden at Dazaifu. In order to maintain order in Kyushu, the Seiden was thus built to express great majesty and dignity.

The Main Hall, or ''Seiden'' (正殿), of the Dazaifu government complex was where the head of the Dazaifu government, known as a ''[[sochi]]'' (帥), governed from. Various rituals and ceremonies were performed here, and it housed the ''sochi's'' personal office as well. Functioning like a miniature version of the central government in Kyoto, Dazaifu supervised and controlled the various provinces of Kyushu. It is thought that, just like in the New Year's celebrations in the Imperial Capital, on New Year's, the various officials (国司 , ''[[kokushi (governors)|kokushi]]'') of Kyushu would gather for ceremonies in the Seiden at Dazaifu. In order to maintain order in Kyushu, the Seiden was thus built to express great majesty and dignity.

The "gouden" or "ushirodono" (後殿) was a structure which sat behind the main hall in the complex. While the main hall would have been used for formal meetings, particularly receiving visitors from the capital or elsewhere, this "Rear Palace" was used for more practical, everyday bureaucratic affairs. Two towers flanked the Rear Palace to the east and west.

The "gouden" or "ushirodono" (後殿) was a structure which sat behind the main hall in the complex. While the main hall would have been used for formal meetings, particularly receiving visitors from the capital or elsewhere, this "Rear Palace" was used for more practical, everyday bureaucratic affairs. Two towers flanked the Rear Palace to the east and west.