TIMELINE OF THE...MONGOL INVASIONS OF JAPAN

The Mongol ruler Kublai Khan leads several attacks on the Japanese islands and is met by ferocious resistance

1259-65

RISE OF KUBLAI KHAN

01 After the Mongol Emperor Möngke Khan dies in battle, his brother Kublai eventually becomes the Great Khan after a brief civil war with his younger brother Arik Böke. Kublai continues his predecessor’s conquest of China and makes the city of Yanjing – today Beijing – his capital. Kublai next conquers the Korean peninsula, which is ruled by the Koryo dynasty. This gives the Mongols ready access to a large number of Korean shipbuilders to mount their next military expansion.

1266-68

OFFER TO THE EMPEROR

Seeking to bring the rich Japanese islands under his control, Kublai sends envoys with a letter to the shogun, who rules Japan in the emperor’s stead. While recognising the reputation of Japan’s warriors, Kublai offers the Japanese a chance to submit to his superior force and power, misjudging the samurai determination to fight.

4 November 1274

INVASION OF TSUSHIMA

02 Around 30,000 Mongol, Korean and Chinese soldiers and sailors make the crossing to the island of Tsushima, which lies midway between the Korean peninsula and Kyushu, the southernmost of the main Japanese islands. Expecting little resistance, the landing force instead is met by a small samurai force led by Sukekuni So. Though the Japanese put up a sturdy defence, Kublai’s forces are ultimately too strong and go on to lay waste to Tsushima’s settlements.