Mongol Invasion of Japan I Past to Future
This video presents Mongol Invasion of Japan: How the battle became such a glorious episode in Japanese culture.
The Mongol invasions of Japan, which took place in 1274 and 1281 CE, were major military efforts by Kublai Khan to conquer the Japanese archipelago. The Japanese, especially the samurai warriors bravely fought and successfully defended their shores against the Mongols. But it was also typhoon storms and kamikaze or “divine winds” that sank and drowned most of their enemy’s ships and men, hence protecting Japan from foreign conquest.
Diplomatic Opening
Half of China and Korea at the time had already been conquered by the huge empire of Mongols and their leader Kublai Khan looked to Japan for more tributes and vassaldom. Japan was rich in resources, especially in gold. Kublai Khan’s motive may have been to enhance his status or to eliminate the trade between Japan and the Mongol’s enemy in southern China, known as the Southern Song Dynasty (1125-1279 CE). The invasions can be viewed as the Mongol’s acts of revenge for the havoc that the wako (Japanese pirates) had been causing to East Asian coastlines and trade ships. Whatever the reasons, Khan’s approach was diplomacy precedes warfare.
The Great Khan sent a letter to Japan in 1268 CE expressing efforts to establish friendly relations, however, demanding tribute from Japan to the Mongol court. Zhao Liangbi, a Chinese ambassador was sent to Japan in 1270CE, followed by further letters and other ambassadors to foster an understanding between the two nations. But the Japanese did not know how to respond so they remained silent despite Khan’s diplomatic efforts. Perhaps they lacked experience in international relations as a result of a long isolation period, or they underestimated their Mongol conquerors.
The First Invasion (Bun’ei Campaign)
The Khan sent a fleet of 800-900 ships from Korea to Japan in early November 1274 CE, carrying an army of 16,600-40,000 Mongols, Chinese and Koreans. Tsushima and Iki Islands were two places to receive these invaders first. Tsushima, with a superior number of men, fought with stiff resistance. However, the Mongols still won the battle and slaughtered many dwellers of Tsushima island.
Meanwhile, the defensive force at Iki fought valiantly but eventually received no reinforcements from the mainland, and was defeated by the Mongolian army. About 1,000 Japanese soldiers were killed there.
Hakata Bay was the next destination for the invasion fleet. The Japanese prepared for the battle but the total defense force was still small at about 5000 men.
Diplomatic Interval
Having decided to return to diplomacy, the Khan then sent another embassy to Japan in 1275CE demanding Japan to pay tribute. The shogunate remained silent and beheaded the Mongol ambassadors. He came to the realization, Japan would not be conquered without force. However, Kublai Khan was involved in battles against the Song in southern China, so it took him 2 years to set sights on Japan again. While the Khan was occupied with the Song, the Japanese government strengthened its arm force.
The Second Invasion (Koan Campaign)
The Mongol’s second invasion was much bigger than their first one. This time, thanks to his recent defeat of the Song and acquisition of their navy, there were 4,400 ships and around 100,000 men, again a mix of Mongol, Chinese, and Korean warriors.
The first Japanese territory to receive the Mongols was, once again, Tsushima and Iki Islands on 9 and 14 June, followed by an attack on Hakata Bay on 23 June 1281CE. This time, the Japanese defended their territory more effectively with fortification walls. The Mongols were obliged to withdraw to Iki Island.
Southern China sent reinforcements, with about 40000 men and joined with the army of the Khan to push deeper into Japanese territory. On 12 August, the fleet attacked Takashima. Fierce fights lasted several weeks and the Mongols had to cope with supply problems. On 14 August, the weather intervened again when a typhoon destroyed most of the invaders and wrecked ships. Half to two-thirds of the Mongol fleet was killed, washed up and left stranded on the beaches of Imari Bay. After this battle, Japan's victory was confirmed.
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