Changes

Around this time, the Dazaifu government, along with a parallel headquarters in [[Tohoku|Tôhoku]] (northeastern Honshû), came to reproduce the organizational structure of the shogunate, albeit on a smaller scale. Thus, various offices and structures, such as a ''[[samurai-dokoro]]'', a separate office dedicated specifically to military affairs, came to be established.

Around this time, the Dazaifu government, along with a parallel headquarters in [[Tohoku|Tôhoku]] (northeastern Honshû), came to reproduce the organizational structure of the shogunate, albeit on a smaller scale. Thus, various offices and structures, such as a ''[[samurai-dokoro]]'', a separate office dedicated specifically to military affairs, came to be established.

The Dazaifu headquarters would play a crucial role in the Japanese defense against the [[Mongol invasions]] of [[1272]] and [[1281]]. Envoys of Khubilai Khan delivered a formal message from the Khan to 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.

The Dazaifu headquarters would play a crucial role in the Japanese defense against the [[Mongol invasions]] of [[1274]] and [[1281]]. Envoys of Khubilai Khan delivered a formal message from the Khan to 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.

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.

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.