Changes

Mongol, Chinese, and Korean forces under [[Kublai Khan]] vs. Japanese forces under [[Dazai]] [[Shoni Tsunetsugu|Shôni Tsunetsugu]]

Mongol, Chinese, and Korean forces under [[Kublai Khan]] vs. Japanese forces under [[Dazai]] [[Shoni Tsunetsugu|Shôni Tsunetsugu]]

*Japanese: 元寇 ''(Genkou)''

*Japanese: 元寇 ''(Genkou)''

==Leadup==

==Leadup==

Envoys of Kublai Khan delivered a formal message from the Khan to the shogunate's regional Kyushu headquarters in [[Dazaifu]] in [[1268]], commanding Japan to submit or be invaded; the missive was passed on to [[Kamakura]] and [[Kyoto]], but was ultimately ignored. Following the reception of another message to the same effect in [[1271]], the [[Kamakura shogunate]] ordered Dazaifu, along with all the ''[[shugo]]'' and ''[[jito|jitô]]'', to begin strengthening defenses. Samurai from Kyushu who were residing in Kamakura were returned to the island, and a number of the shogun's own direct retainers (''[[kenin]]'') began journeying towards Kyushu as well, along with a sizeable army.

Envoys of Kublai Khan delivered a formal message from the Khan to the shogunate's regional Kyushu headquarters in [[Dazaifu (city)|Dazaifu]] in [[1268]], commanding Japan to submit or be invaded; the missive was passed on to [[Kamakura]] and [[Kyoto]], but was ultimately ignored. Following the reception of another message to the same effect in [[1271]], the [[Kamakura shogunate]] ordered Dazaifu, along with all the ''[[shugo]]'' and ''[[jito|jitô]]'', to begin strengthening defenses. Samurai from Kyushu who were residing in Kamakura were returned to the island, and a number of the shogun's own direct retainers (''[[kenin]]'') began journeying towards Kyushu as well, along with a sizeable army.

 

==Battle of Bun'ei==

==Battle of Bun'ei==

A Mongol ambassador arrived in Dazaifu in late 1272, and was rejected and expelled on the orders of the shogunate. The Mongol fleet arrived soon afterwards, seizing [[Tsushima]] and [[Ikishima]] with little difficulty; a detachment was sent to take the port of [[Hirado]], while the bulk of the fleet landed at [[Hakata]], on the north shore of Kyushu, a short distance from Dazaifu, on the 19th day of the 10th month of Bun'ei 11 (1274). Messengers were immediately sent out, sounding the alarm of the invasion, and the gathered forces across Kyushu moved towards the port city. Pontoons were laid across the Chikugo River to allow forces from the southern provinces of the island to travel more quickly.

A Mongol ambassador arrived in Dazaifu in late 1272, and was rejected and expelled on the orders of the shogunate. The Mongol fleet arrived soon afterwards, seizing [[Tsushima]] and [[Ikishima]] with little difficulty; a detachment was sent to take the port of [[Hirado]], while the bulk of the fleet landed at [[Hakata]], on the north shore of Kyushu, a short distance from Dazaifu, on the 19th day of the 10th month of Bun'ei 11 (1274). Messengers were immediately sent out, sounding the alarm of the invasion, and the gathered forces across Kyushu moved towards the port city. Pontoons were laid across the Chikugo River to allow forces from the southern provinces of the island to travel more quickly.

In the aftermath of the first invasion, efforts were made to shore up defenses on the western and northern coasts of Kyushu, both in terms of expanding and strengthening earthwork and stone fortifications and in terms of increasing the number of warriors in each garrison. Fortifications were established at Hakata, and the punishments for avoiding military service were made more severe.

In the aftermath of the first invasion, efforts were made to shore up defenses on the western and northern coasts of Kyushu, both in terms of expanding and strengthening earthwork and stone fortifications and in terms of increasing the number of warriors in each garrison. Fortifications were established at Hakata, and the punishments for avoiding military service were made more severe.

The shogunate devoted much attention and efforts to these defenses, excusing its retainers in that portion of the archipelago from local garrison duty as part of the ''[[Oban|Ôban]]'', and adopting policies of frugality for both the shogunate and [[kuge|Imperial Court]], in order to make more funds available for the defensive efforts.

The shogunate devoted much attention and efforts to these defenses, excusing its retainers in that portion of the archipelago from local garrison duty as part of the ''Ôban'', and adopting policies of frugality for both the shogunate and [[kuge|Imperial Court]], in order to make more funds available for the defensive efforts.

The notion of switching from the defensive to the offensive, attacking Mongol bases and ships, was considered as well, a great amount of forces having been assembled in and around Hakata. It was eventually decided that the gathered forces, and the various funds and resources backing them, could not support both offensive and defensive strategies, and attentions were focused once more on fortifications, coastal ships and other defenses.

The notion of switching from the defensive to the offensive, attacking Mongol bases and ships, was considered as well, a great amount of forces having been assembled in and around Hakata. It was eventually decided that the gathered forces, and the various funds and resources backing them, could not support both offensive and defensive strategies, and attentions were focused once more on fortifications, coastal ships and other defenses.

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==Historical materials==

==Historical materials==

*[[Mouko Shurai Ekotoba|Mouko Shûrai Ekotoba]]

*[[Moko Shurai Ekotoba|Môko Shûrai Ekotoba]]

*[[Moukokoku Chojo]]

*[[Moukokoku Chojo|Moukokoku Chôjô]]

*[[Nichiren Chugasan|Nichiren Chûgasan]] Vol5

==References==

==References==