MONGOL INVASIONS OF JAPAN

In the 13th century, Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Emperor (Yuan Shi- zu) who founded the Yuan Dynasty of China, envisioned to succumb Japan and incorporate it as a tributary state of the Mongol empire. In 1274 and 1281 armies were despatched from the Korean peninsula and China in attempts to land on Japan in today's Fukuoka city area in north Kyushu

First Invasion Mainly land battles fought on the coastal strip of today's Fukuoka city. Yuan army: 40,000; with 900 ships Japanese army: 10,000 Yuan army used small exploding bombs: probably the first appearance of bombs and gunpowder in Japan

It was so recorded that a thunderstorm harassed north Kyushu island in 1274 when the Mongol (Yuan) army was fighting, and again in 1281 a typhoon hit north Kyushu island while the Yuan soldiers were on board their ships preparing for a major landing operation. In both instances the Yuan armies suffered severe casualties from these natural calamities and the invasions were aborted. These "divine" winds have come to be known as Kamikaze which, especially during the war periods of pre-1945 Japan, has been fostering a belief in Japan in the sacredness of the Japanese nation

Second Invasion Mainly sea battles fought on the coastal waters of northern Kyushu. Yuan army: 140,000; with 4,400 ships Japanese army: 40,000 After the first invasion of 1274, the Japanese samurai built a stone barrier of 20 km long bordering the coast of Hakata Bay of today's Fukuoka city. This stone barrier, on which the Japanese soldiers forcefully fought in resistance, effectively prevented the landing of the Yuan (Mongol) army on the shore of Hakata (now in Fukuoka city) during the second invasion of The Yuan armies were made up of Mongol, Korean and Chinese soldiers.

The stone barrier (200-metre section at Imazu) Fukuoka City Height about 2-3 metres; width at base about 3 metres. Built in ; excavated in the 1930s

Eye Witnesses TAKEZAKI Suenaga was a low-ranking samurai in Kyushu during the Mongol invasions of the late 13th century. His courage and initiative in the defence against the invaders was rewarded with a feudal fief in today's Kumamoto prefecture. To show his gratitude for the blessings of the Shinto deities, he commissioned a set of two painting scrolls by local artists. He dedicated this Moko shurai ekotoba (Mongol Invasions Painting Scrolls) to the Shinto Shrine near his native place in Kyushu. Today this two-scroll set is kept in the Museum of Imperial Collections in Tokyo.

It is worth noting that in the entire scroll set, not a word or a scene refers to or depicts anything about typhoons or storms. The kamikaze ("divine winds") does not exist in Suenaga's illustrated account of the defence of his motherland, although kamikaze is commonly regarded as one of the main causes of the Yuan armies' defeat

Japanese samurai boarding Mongol ships in 1281

Chinese made fleet model and Armour of the Yuan army, weighing 12.5 kg with stand. The entire lining is of small iron plates

Different accounts offer casualty reports that suggest 200 Mongol ships were lost. It is thought that most of the Chinese and Korean soldiers within the fleet could not swim and therefore drowned.

Starting in 1275, the Bakufu made increased efforts to defend against the second invasion which they thought was sure to come. In addition to better organizing the samurai of Kyūshū, they ordered the construction of forts and other defensive structures at many potential landing points, including Hakata.

However, it is now believed that the destruction of the Mongol fleet was greatly facilitated by two additional factors. Most of the invasion force was composed of hastily-acquired flat-bottomed Chinese riverboats. Such ships (unlike ocean-going ships, which have a curved keel to prevent capsizing) cannot deal with the high seas, let alone a massive typhoon. In addition, the true ocean-going ships in Kublai's fleet had been constructed by Chinese slave labourers, who might have deliberately introduced fatal flaws into many of the ships. Evidence of poorly constructed joints and weak nails exists.

In the summer, the combined Korean/Chinese fleet took Iki-shima, and moved on to Kyūshū, landing at a number of separate positions. In a number of individual skirmishes, known collectively as the Battle of Kōan, or the Second Battle of Hakata Bay, the Mongol forces were driven back to their ships. The Japanese army was again heavily outnumbered, but had fortified the coastal line and was easily able to repulse the auxiliaries that were launched against it. The now-famous kamikaze, a massive typhoon, assaulted the shores of Kyūshū for two days straight, and destroyed much of the Mongol fleet.

Defensive wall at Hakata. Moko Shurai Ekotoba,.1293

Artefacts from the Takashima Shipwreck

Marine Archaeologist’s report “The weapons recovered from the site include bundles of iron arrow tips or crossbow bolts, spearheads, and more than 80 swords and sabers. During one dive, I saw a Mongol helmet upright on the bottom, fish swimming in and out of its projecting brow. Close to the helmet was perhaps the most amazing discovery yet made--tetsuhau or ceramic projectile bomb. KOSUWA has recovered six of these from the wreck. They are the world's earliest known exploding projectiles and the earliest direct archaeological evidence of seagoing ordnance.”

When the Japanese x-rayed two intact bombs, they found that one was filled just with gunpowder while the other was packed with gunpowder and more than a dozen square pieces of iron shrapnel intended to cut down the enemy.

Mongol ? The site has yielded fragmentary human remains. A cranium, resting where a body had perhaps been pushed face down into the seabed, and a pelvis, possibly from the same individual, now rest in the conservation lab awaiting analysis. This state-of-the- art lab, at the Takashima Museum of Folk History and Culture, is filled with containers of freshwater in which artifacts rest. Initial study of the artifacts has revealed new information about the khan's forces. Only one percent of the finds can be attributed to a Mongolian origin; the rest are Chinese. The Mongol invasion was Mongol only in name and in the allegiance of the invading sailors and troops.

Legacy of the Mongol Invasions In the intervening years of the two major invasions, the Bakufu amassed troops and trained them in the techniques of group fighting, employed by the Mongols. This contrasted with the individual style of combat previously used For purely defensive reasons the policy of maintaining military preparedness continued for years afterwards

Legacy In repulsing these attacks the Shogunate achieved great successes, but were forced to share their glory with the temples and shrines, which claimed credit for divine intervention. The government shared the glory but not the burden of the cost of the war. Unlike internal struggles the Mongol invasions brought no new lands or booty to meet the expectations of warriors, demanding their just rewards. Unable to satisfy their claims the bushi lost confidence in the regime. With their loyalty weakened tgey turned for support to local daimyo

The samurai Suenaga facing Mongol arrows and bombs Read the descriptions by G Sansam, A History of Japan What evidence is supported by the primary and archaeological evidence? What information from the Secondary source could be regarded as the historian’s conjecture?