Mongol invasions of Japan

Quick Facts: Who was Mongol invasions of Japan?

Subject:

Mongol invasions of Japan

Known for:

Failed 13th-century Mongol attempts to conquer Japan, leading to the term 'kamikaze'.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Major military efforts were taken by Kublai Khan of the Yuan dynasty in 1274 and 1281 to conquer the Japanese archipelago after the submission of the Korean kingdom of Goryeo to vassaldom. Ultimately a failure, the invasion attempts are of macro-historical importance because they set a limit on Mongol expansion and rank as nation-defining events in the history of Japan. The invasions are referred to in many works of fiction and are the origin of the word kamikaze (神風 "divine wind"), first used to describe the typhoons that destroyed the Mongol invasion fleets in the 13th century. The term was later adopted in the 20th century to describe Japanese pilots who deliberately crashed their aircraft into enemy warships during the last years of World War II. The invasions were one of the earliest cases of gunpowder warfare outside of China.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

One of the most notable technological innovations during the war was the use of explosive, hand-thrown bombs. After a series of Mongol invasions of Korea between 1231 and 1281, Goryeo signed a treaty favouring the Mongols and became a vassal state. Kublai was declared Khagan of the Mongol Empire in 1260, although it was not widely recognized by the Mongols in the west, and established his capital at Khanbaliq (now in Beijing) in 1264. Japan was then ruled by the Shikken (shogunate regents) of the Hōjō clan, who had intermarried with and wrested control from Minamoto no Yoriie, shōgun of the Kamakura shogunate, after his death in 1203. The inner circle of the Hōjō clan had become so pre-eminent that they no longer consulted the council of the shogunate (Hyōjō (評定)), the Imperial Court of Kyoto, or their gokenin vassals, and they made their decisions at private meetings in their residences (yoriai (寄合)).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Mongols also made attempts to subjugate the native peoples of Sakhalin, the Ainu and Nivkh peoples, from 1264 to 1308. However, it is doubtful if Mongol activities in Sakhalin were part of the effort to invade Japan. Between 1266 and 1273, Mongol and Korean diplomatic missions went to Japan on six occasions to demand submission to the Mongols, but the Japanese ignored their demands. In 1265, a well-traveled Goryeo citizen told Kublai that the Mongols should bring Japan to vassalage. Kublai agreed and named Heuk Chŭk and Eun Hong as envoys to Japan.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1203: 1203 Milestone — Japan was then ruled by the Shikken (shogunate regents) of the Hōjō clan, who had intermarried with and wrested control from Minamoto no Yoriie, shōgun of the Kamakura shogunate, after his death in 1203.
2. 1231: 1231 Milestone — After a series of Mongol invasions of Korea between 1231 and 1281, Goryeo signed a treaty favouring the Mongols and became a vassal state.
3. 1260: 1260 Milestone — Kublai was declared Khagan of the Mongol Empire in 1260, although it was not widely recognized by the Mongols in the west, and established his capital at Khanbaliq (now in Beijing) in 1264.
4. 1264: 1264 Milestone — The Mongols also made attempts to subjugate the native peoples of Sakhalin, the Ainu and Nivkh peoples, from 1264 to 1308.
5. 1265: 1265 Milestone — In 1265, a well-traveled Goryeo citizen told Kublai that the Mongols should bring Japan to vassalage.
6. 1266: 1266 Milestone — Between 1266 and 1273, Mongol and Korean diplomatic missions went to Japan on six occasions to demand submission to the Mongols, but the Japanese ignored their demands.
7. 1274: 1274 Milestone — Major military efforts were taken by Kublai Khan of the Yuan dynasty in 1274 and 1281 to conquer the Japanese archipelago after the submission of the Korean kingdom of Goryeo to vassaldom.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Mongol invasions of Japan

True or False: “The Mongol invasions were the first recorded instance of gunpowder warfare in East Asia.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While they utilized advanced weaponry like explosive bombs, the text notes these were among the earliest cases outside of China, not necessarily the absolute first.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Al-Dhahabi — Historical peer (Born in 1274) (1274): Pioneering Syrian Sunni historian, biographer, and hadith scholar.
• Bonaventure — Historical peer (Died in 1274) (1274): Influential Franciscan theologian and philosopher, known as the Seraphic Doctor.
• Anthony of Padua — Historical peer (Died in 1231) (1231): Portuguese Catholic saint and Franciscan friar, renowned for his preaching.
• Emperor Shijō — Historical peer (Born in 1231) (1231): 87th Emperor of Japan; reigned from 1232 to 1242, marked by political turmoil.
• Meister Eckhart — Historical peer (Born in 1260) (1260): A pivotal German mystic, theologian, and philosopher of the High Middle Ages.
• Władysław I Łokietek — Historical peer (Born in 1260) (1260): Piast dynasty ruler who was King of Poland from 1320 to 1333.
• Daniel of Galicia — Historical peer (Died in 1264) (1264): Prince of Galicia and King of Ruthenia, a key figure in Rurikid revival.
• Prince Koreyasu — Historical peer (Born in 1264) (1264): Seventh Shōgun of the Kamakura period, nominal ruler controlled by the Hōjō clan.
• Mindaugas — Historical peer (Born in 1203) (1203): First Grand Duke and crowned King of Lithuania, ruling from 1236 to 1263.
• Albert I of Germany — Historical peer (Died in 1308) (1308): Duke of Austria and Styria, and King of Germany from 1298 until his assassination.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mongol invasions of Japan