Mongolian Invasions of Japan
Introduction
After Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, inherited the territories of Central Asia and Northern China in 1260, the new Mongol emperor started expanding his domain and imposed his rule e.g. over Korea. But, naturally, he would not stop there. The next destination was already decided: Japan.
Starting in 1268 the Mongols would send multiple letters to the Japanese rulers with the intention of establishing relations, but all of them were ignored!
Since diplomacy was not an option anymore, Kublai Khan started preparing for one of the fiercest battles ever fought against the Land of the Rising Sun...
The defensive wall at Hakata, Mōko Shūrai Ekotoba, 1293. © Museum of the Imperial Collections
First Attempt
The accounts of the invasions differ, so nothing can be said for sure, but the most widely known version of the events is: After a failed attempt to establish diplomatic relations with Japan, Kublai Khan declared war.
On November 3rd, 1274, the Mongolian fleet left Korea with 15,000 Mongolian and 8,000 Korean soldiers. Two days later they landed on the island of Tsushima, where they easily defeated the Japanese forces. Then, they invaded the nearby island of Iki, where they rapidly achieved success too.
On November 19th, the Mongols landed in Hakata Bay and burned the city to the ground. Fearing a sudden Japanese attack, the Mongolian generals ordered their troops to rest aboard their ships at night. In a matter of hours the weather in the area began to change and before the Korean pilots could get the fleet out of the bay, the ships were caught in a heavy storm. It was powerful enough to wipe out most of the Mongolian forces, destroying hundreds of ships and killing thousands of soldiers. Some managed to survive and return to Korea, but those who swam to Hakata Beach instead were captured and taken to Kyoto, where they were interrogated and executed.
The Japanese referred to this storm as kamikaze (神風), a sacred wind sent by the gods in order to protect the country from the enemy threat.
Kikuchi Yōsai, The Mongol fleet destroyed in a typhoon, 1847,
ink and water on paper.
© Tokyo National Museum
Second Attempt
In 1281 Kublai Khan’s army was reinforced with 4,400 ships and 140,000 soldiers and sailors. His military strategy changed as well. This time the Mongolian troops would reach Hakata Bay not only from Korea but also from southern China.
As they arrived at the Hakata coast on June 21st, the army found an imposing wall waiting for them. From this barrier the samurai attacked the enemy, forcing them to retreat. This defense gave the Japanese time to reorganize their troops. Stranded at sea and facing a scarcity of supplies, the Mongolian army began to tense up.
When on August 15th the Kublai's army attempted to advance once more, they were again hit by a typhoon, which destroyed the Mongolian fleet, forcing them to retreat with only half of the men surviving.
And so, one of the few foreign conflicts that Japan has ever faced finished, giving birth to the kamikaze myth.
Defense wall, Itoshima.
Written by Manuel Jose Flores Aguilar