in 661 , in response to the request of the surviving retainers of baekje , naka no oe no oji decided to dispatch soldiers for rescue and together with empress saimei , he himself went to chikushi , but empress passed away at this place . 661年、百済の遺臣の要請に応じて中大兄皇子は救援の兵を派遣することを決め、斉明天皇とともに自ら筑紫へ赴くが、天皇はこの地で没する。