With the first reading this week, we learned about the Mongol invasions of Japan in the 13th century. This has become very influential because of divine intervention in the form of “kamikaze” (divine winds that saved Japan from defeat). It’s revealed through modern scholarship that the invasions are over-exaggerated and mythologized as time went on. Although the Mongols succeeded in logistical winnings: crossing the ocean from Korea and the Chinese mainland, their invasion forces were likely much smaller than commonly believed and there was no divine intervention. The Japanese warriors were able to hold their own against the Mongols in the battles but the Kubilai Khan’s desire and motivation to conquer Japan is still unclear; the historical reality of these invasions gives you a look into the military capabilities of both the Mongols and the Japanese at the time.The Mongol Empire, which once controlled most of Asia, had designs on Japan. Diplomatic records show that Kublai Khan (the Great Khan) attempted to establish relations with Japan, but Japan refused to respond to the Khan’s overtures. This allowed Kublai to establish control over Korea, the neighboring country. Japan considered Korea an automatic ally, as the two countries shared many similarities, like their military strength. However, the Mongols managed to impose their diplomatic objectives on Korean officials, which prevented Korea from acting with any autonomy. After crushing the Korean rebellion, Kublai ordered an invasion of Japan, but Japan’s warriors were able to repel the Mongol forces. Japan’s ability to resist the Mongols was due to many factors: superior naval technology, weather, and the willingness of Japan’s samurai to die in battle.The size of the armies involved in the invasions of Japan by the Mongols in 1274 and 1281 is not accurately known (there are no official records of the composition of the Japanese forces). Chroniclers of this time were dramatic with the numbers and gave unreliable estimates. Scholars tried to come up with reliable estimates based on surviving administrative documents, like the duty reports and guard duty registers. They range from 2,300 to 6,000 Japanese warriors fighting against the Mongols. Guard duty registers say that only a small number of gokenin (housemen) were mobilized from each province, and few were accompanied by more than five men. The ruling strata of Kyushu and their immediate retainers is estimated to consist of around 750 men. Evidently, a full force of two to three thousand Japanese defenders is more ideal than an army of five thousand troops because of how well coordinated and tactful they were. Mongol estimates of Japanese forces as consisting of 102,000 men are considered to be exaggerated, and it is likely that only two to three thousand Japanese defenders fought against a similar number of Mongols in 1274. The need for mobilizing an army and building an extensive wall in Kamakura made the tensions worse within Japanese society. This crisis revealed an opportunity to advance and it led to some generals and provincial constables to ignore the commands of their family ‘chieftains’. The 1281 Mongol invasions also created an increase in anti-foreign sentiment, and the defenders’ desire for revenge were also increased by the occupation of the outlying islands. The Japanese desired to punish those who they had perceived as aggressors rather than choosing to attack all foreigners (which is better) but personal and familial goals caused them to risk their lives in battle instead of fighting to defend Japan. These actions weren’t strong/widespread enough to be very impactful with trade that continued between Japan, Koryo, and the rest of the Asian continent throughout much of the Yuan era.
I really enjoyed looking at the updated scrolls of the Mongol invasion in different time periods and how it changed to be in a different order. Mongol Empire invasions were motivated by the need to conquer Japan in 1274 and 1281. The scrolls available at the Princeton University Digital Library provide artistic insight into these events. It shows scenes from the Mongol invasions, including battle scenes, Mongol and Japanese soldiers, and illustrations of weapons, armor, and horses. I found it interesting how these scrolls have very vivid detail with the weapons (bows/swords), armor, gore, distinctive clothing, and headgear with little flaps (which I assume would protect against the sun and weather). The Japanese soldiers have more of a traditional type of samurai armor and swords/spears. I liked the battles on the sea, especially the one from the 19th century. The scrolls show both sides engaging in intense naval battles, with ships firing arrows and soldiers boarding the enemy vessels. With the scrolls, you are able to visualize the tactics and strategies used by the Japanese in defending against the Mongol invasions. The “kamikaze” tactic involved crashing their ships into the enemy vessels, which successfully disrupted the Mongol invasion and forced them to retreat👍Overall, these scrolls give a good glimpse into the battles and naval fights that had taken place during the late 13th century.
Conlan, Thomas. In Little Need of Divine Intervention: Takezaki Suenaga’s Scrolls of the Mongol Invasions of Japan. Cornell East Asia Series, 113. Ithaca, N.Y.: East Asia Program, Cornell University, 2001.
“The Mongol Scrolls”. In Sources of Japanese Tradition, Vol. 1: From Earliest Times to 1600, compiled by Wm. Th. de Bary, Donald Keene, George Tanabe, and Paul Varley, 282-83. Second edition. Introduction to Asian Civilizations. New York: Columbia Univ. Press, 2001.
