After the Jisho-Juei Civil War (the Genpei War) towards the end of the 12th century, the Kamakura bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun) at its initial stage gained the approval of the Imperial Court to establish Sotsuibushi (government post in charge of police and military roles), inheriting the rights of koku-tsuibushi, in each province.
12世紀末の治承・寿永の内乱（源平合戦）を経て、初期鎌倉幕府政権は、国追捕使の権限を継承した惣追捕使を各国に設置することについて、朝廷から承認を得た。