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 [[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.

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.

 

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.

*Mongols

*Mongols