Mongol invasions of Japan - Major Military Invasions Undertaken by Kublai Khan

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The Mongol invasions of Japan of 1274 and 1281 were major military invasions and conquests undertaken by Kublai Khan to take the Japanese islands after the capitulation of Goryeo (Korea). Despite their ultimate failure, the invasion attempts are of macrohistorical importance, because they set a limit on Mongol expansion, and rank as nation-defining events in Japanese history. The Japanese were successful, who were helped by the Mongols losing up to 75% of their troops and supplies both times on the ocean because of huge storms. The invasions are referred to in many works of fiction, and are the earliest events for which the word kamikaze, or "divine wind", is widely used. In addition, with the exception of the Occupation of Japan at the end of World War II, these failed invasion attempts are the closest Japan has come to being invaded within the last 1500 years.

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Background of Mongol invasions of Japan

Background of Mongol invasions of Japan

After a series of Mongol invasions from 1231 to 1259, the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea signed a treaty in favor of the Mongols and became a Mongolian vassal. Kublai was declared Great Khan of the Mongol...
Mongol's First invasion of Japan

Mongol's First invasion of Japan

The Khan was willing to go to war as early as 1268 after having been rebuffed twice, but found that his empire did not have the resources to provide him with a sufficient navy at that time. With...
Developments Leading to the Mongol's second invasion of Japan

Developments Leading to the Mongol's second invasion of Japan

Starting in 1275, the Kamakura shogunate (Bakufu) made increased efforts to defend against the second invasion which they thought was sure to come. In addition to better organizing the samurai of...
Mongol's Second invasion of Japan

Mongol's Second invasion of Japan

In the spring of 1281, the Mongols sent two separate forces; an impressive force of 900 ships containing 40,000 Korean, Chinese, and Mongol troops set out from Masan, while an even larger force of...
Significance of Mongol invasions of Japan

Significance of Mongol invasions of Japan

From a military perspective, the failed invasions of Kublai Khan were the first of only two instances (the other being the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592) where the samurai would fight foreign...