In the latter half of the 7th century, the imperial court's influence extended to southern Kyushu, but the scattered Kumaso and Hayato populations held their ground.
Early in the year 720, the imperial court received notice from Dazaifu that Yako no Fuhitomaro (陽候史麻呂), the governor of Ōsumi Province, had been killed.
Within a week, the court appointed Ōtomo no Tabito as great general to subdue the Hayato (征隼人持節大将軍), with Kasa no Mimuro (笠御室) and Kose no Mahito (巨勢真人) as his vice-generals, and sent them to war.
In response, the court gathered over ten thousand troops from the various regions of Kyushu and divided them into a two-pronged attack, advancing from the east and the west.
The Hayato eventually assimilated into Japanese society and many of them also moved to the main island of Honshū, especially the Kinai region, where they were active in the protection of the court, the arts, sumo, and bamboo work.